The 2016 National Champion Penguins Elite Squad has seen their on-ice success translate into a high number of players entering the junior hockey ranks for this upcoming season. 12 members off the 2015-2016 roster have found themselves on rosters in junior leagues throughout North America.

Leading scorer Jordan Timmons (54 G / 37 A / 91 PTS) was drafted in the first round (15th overall) by the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL, America's only Tier 1 Junior Hockey League. Timmons regularly used his physicality to dominate games, and coupled with an overpowering shot he was able to post the most points in a single season for a Pens Elite player at the Midget Major level. This was especially apparent at Nationals in San Jose, as he paced the team with 6 goals and 13 points in just 6 games, capped by a multi-point game in the National Championship. Jordan has since committed to the University of Connecticut, who play in the esteemed Hockey East Conference, and been named to the Preliminary Watch List for the 2017 NHL Draft by NHL Central Scouting.

Three players, 2016 Captain Logan Stork, Luke Edgerton, and Eric Cooley advanced to the North American Hockey League, America's only Tier II junior hockey league.

Captain Logan Stork, a two-year member of the Midget Majors, also parlayed a strong season and Nationals into a USHL Draft selection by the Des Moines Buccaneers. Currently plying his trade with the Johnstown Tomahawks in the East Divison, Stork was second on the team in scoring at Nationals, posting five goals and nine points in six games, including the double-OT winner against North Jersey in the National Semifinals. Stork was the Pens representative at the T1EHL All-Star Showcase in Minnesota last season, and he finished the year with 31 goals and 30 assists, was a steadying leader, and a physical force every time he took the ice each of the last two seasons.

Luke Edgerton, in his first year with the team, managed to finish second on the team in points with 82 this past year, using his exceptional skating and puck control to find the back of the net 37 times, to go with a whopping 45 assists. His speed gave opponents issues throughout the season, and he signed a tender with the South Division's Amarillo Bulls during the 2015-16 campaign. Edge battled through injuries throughout the year, but he still managed over a point-a-game pace at Nationals, registering 2 goals and 5 assists in 5 games.

Joining Edgerton on the Bulls is forward Eric Cooley, who made his biggest impact of the season in the title game, registering two third period goals to wrap up the Championship for the Pens. His versatility saw him play effectively in all situations, and his playmaking ability showed up all season long as he posted 34 assists and 50 points. Cooley also was one of nine members of the team to pick up an Ironman Award, as he appeared in all 71 contests during the year.

In the Ontario Junior Hockey League, one of the top Tier II junior leagues in Canada, forwards Connor Quinn and Austin Tonkovich are both currently playing for the Trenton Golden Hawks. Trenton is consistently one of the top teams in the OJHL, and their status as hosts of the Dudley-Hewitt Cup in 2017 makes them an even more attractive place to play in this current campaign.

Quinn scored the game winning goal in the National Championship game this past season, one of his 32 that he posted throughout the year. A dynamic skater, Quinn was able to post 73 points while playing in all 71 games for the Pens, and his exceptional penalty killing saw him pace the team with 14 shorthanded goals in the past two seasons. His ability to play both center and wing paid dividends over the course of a long season, and he was a key leader on the team, as both he and Tonkovich were named assistant captains for the 2015-2016 campaign.

Tonkovich, also a two-year player for the 18's, racked up 59 points in 58 games played this past season, after posting 57 in 56 games the previous year. Tonk's ability to find and set up his line-mates was evident during his play with the Midget Majors, as he posted 4 of his 39 assists during the National Championships. His presence on the half-wall and his willingness to go to the dirty areas enabled him to be one of the most effective power-play performers for the Pens in each of the last two seasons.

Currently playing in the Ottawa based Central Canadian Hockey League are forward Dustin Rinaldo and defenseman Christian Louria.

Rinaldo, who joined the Pens mid-season in each of the last two years, is currently in Brockville playing for the Braves. A 30 goal scorer two years ago, Rinaldo was able to rack up 25 points in his 35 games for the Pens this past year. Dustin used his excellent balance and long reach to establish himself as a premier power forward on the Pens, and he displayed an ability to take over games at times over the past two seasons. His return this past season was crucial in the team's successes down the stretch.

Christian Louria, now with the Hawkesbury Hawks, used his 6'7" frame effectively to shut down teams top lines throughout the 15-16 season. Louria added 4 goals and 15 points in addition to his steady, consistent play and his overall reliability enabled him to post a +35 mark on the blue line at seasons end.

Currently playing in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, are two-year forwards Nick Long and Will Casey.

Nick Long, now of the Elliot Lake Wildcats, was declared by the coaching staff as the teams most improved player in the 2015-2016 season, as he used his experience in the previous year to post 43 points in this past season, a 32 point increase. One of the teams best penalty killers, Nicky was able to use his speed to create havoc on the forecheck, and he embodied the core concepts that enabled the Pens to be effective no matter what line was on the ice. His 22 goals were fifth on the team during their championship season.

Two-year player and Alaska native Will Casey was crucial in this teams success at Nationals, as his two-goal performance in a must-win game against then #1 Shattuck St. Mary's may have been the turning point of the tournament for the Pens. Casey was fourth on the team in points at Nationals, posting 4 goals and an assist in six games played. His excellent release and straight-line speed gave opposing defenses issues in each of the past two seasons, and will continue to do so as he plays for the Soo Eagles in the great state of Michigan this season.

Co-Captain Ian Houk-Graves saw his season cut short due to a shoulder injury, but his leadership and team-first attitude helped keep the team on track during Nationals. "HG" is currently manning the blue line for the Carolina Eagles of the USPHL.

Goaltender Aidan Quaglino, a newcomer to the organization last season, was the consummate team-first player throughout the championship season. A tireless worker, "Quags" never missed a practice, and took extra care to volunteer to help younger goalies in the program during the course of the season. He returns to his home region where he now plays for the Connecticut Oilers of the EHL.

The U18 staff celebrates each player's outstanding character as much as they do any individual achievements for these players, they were all essential in bringing the first youth hockey title to the City of Champions. We wish each of them nothing but success in hockey and in life, and acknowledge that the trials, lessons, and battles they fought together will serve them well no matter where they end up.

Congrats guys!