Monday was a special night for a Superior hockey player, as Jackson “JJ” Marthaler is one of 17 athletes representing the United States at the 2024 Youth Olympics in Gangwon, South Korea.

The sophomore is a defenseman on the Superior High School boy’s hockey team, and says he owes all of what he knows to his community.

“Everything I know about the game comes from this community. There’s so much support,” said Marthaler. “There’s people all over that I can go to for anything. Whatever questions I may have about the game, it’s all here. Its really helped shape me into the player I am today.”

Hermantown’s AJ Francisco is also on the USA roster, and the two northlanders will take on Slovakia in game one of the 2024 Youth Olympic Games on January 27th.