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But they have a message for kids looking to move up too quickly. "Don't rush it," said Jack. "… You don't need to leave early. I think a good piece of advice is staying your course. Don't rush it but enjoy it while everything is going on." Jack warns against the fear of falling behind or succumbing to the mentality that, in order to go pro or play college hockey, you have to move up or leave high school early. If a player is good enough, he or she will get noticed. Ryan wants kids to just enjoy the process and keep working hard. Everyone develops at their own pace. "Look at our team, I'm 18 years old and a freshman but there are also 21-year-old fresh- men, so I mean, it just shows that there is no right or wrong path," Ryan said. "To the younger kids I say … if things aren't going how they should, just keep at it and trust yourself." NCAA Is the Way It's clear to the Poehlings that, if you have the ability to reach the next level, NCAA college hockey is the way to go. It's clear to the Poehlings that, if you have the ability to reach the next level, NCAA college hockey is the way to go. "I believe the college route is better because you are playing for something," said Jack. "Here, you are getting an education—there is a backup plan. And I personally think the whole college atmosphere is better for devel- opment both on and off the ice." "You are here for four years with people that will end up being your best friends and don't have to worry about being traded," Nick added. "Nothing will ever beat college hockey." Results from the 2017 IIHF World Juniors back up Jack's claims that the college route is paying dividends in the development of future NHL players. Out of the 23 roster spots for Team USA, 20 players play college hockey—and they won the gold medal. Competitive House From the backyard rink to state tourney folk- lore and now the Granite City, the Poehling brothers have spent most of their lives togeth- er. But there's another younger brother, Luke, who's playing for the Lakeville North Peewee AA team this season. It's safe to say they feed off each other. "All four of us are super competitive, and it's fun," said Nick. "When we were younger playing ice hockey or street hockey we would never take it easy on each other. I think that ended up helping us out in the long run. It never gets too serious, sometimes it does but we solve that right away." No matter what happens, their love for the game will never waver, and they hope more and more kids can enter the sport and have similar experiences. "I think competing or coming out and giving your best every night is one of the most fun parts about playing hockey," said Nick. "Once you are competing, that is when you are at your best, also loving the game the most." 15 I think competing or coming out and giving your best every night is one of the most fun parts about playing hockey." —NICK POEHLING