Two Welland teens say they don't have any jitters about being the focus of a post-game interview on national television when Rogers Hometown Hockey skates into the city in a couple of weeks.

Mikayla Guarasci, 17, and Jacob Tessier, 15, both Notre Dame College School students, have been selected to represent the community and their respective teams to sit down with Ron MacLean and Tara Slone after the Nov. 10 original six matchup between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks.

Both were chosen by Welland Minor Hockey Association to appear on behalf of young hockey players from the area who love the game.

To be nterviewed by co-hosts MacLean and Slone, the pair will talk about their lives off and on the ice, and also be tasked with naming the game's three stars.

Both said their decisions won't be skewed by what NHL teams they root for.

Guarasci, a Leafs fan, said even if her favourite team is blown out by the Blackhawks, her picks will have to reflect that.

"I'm going to focus on the game and the best players who stand out that night," she said.

Tessier, who cheers for the Boston Bruins, is used to being on the other side of a historic rivalry with the Leafs - a team most fellow fans don't have a soft spot for.

But he said has "a lot of respect" for the current Leafs roster, made up of many young players with a "strong work ethic." He also said his decision will be based on what happens on the ice Nov. 10 at the United Centre in Chicago.

Guarasci lives in Welland but plays with the St. Catharines Female Hockey Association's Brock Jr. Badgers midget-B team, the nearest opportunity for young women to compete at a higher level.

She said she got a bit of a "late start" with her hockey career, lacing up competitively when she was 10. Competing for roster spots with players who already had a few years of experience, this taught her to work hard and persevere.

Regularly around her older sisters and their teams, going to arenas, this brought on her love for the game.

"I really had to push myself and get to where I wanted to be," the defensive player said, adding the sport has taught her about hard work and dedication. "Without hockey, I don't think I'd have a lot of those skills."

Tessier is a centre and left winger with the Welland Tigers single-A team. He played minor hockey until he was 12 then moved to the St. Catharines Jr. double-A Falcons before playing with the Southern Tier Admirals triple-A organization.

He is proud to represent his team on the national stage, but also the hockey community in the city he calls home.

"Welland is big on young coaches. They always make tournaments and practices fun and they relate to the players more," said Tessier.

"No matter how much you're down in the game or in life - just keep pushing," he said.

Tessier is also a quarterback and wide receiver with Notre Dame's junior football team.

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Asked about the state of women's hockey, Guarsci said there is "still work to be done," but is thrilled with how much its popularity has grown recently.

"Seeing how it was years ago and how it is now is incredible," said the Grade 12 student.

Welland natives and former NHLers Dan Paille, Paul Bissonnette and Dan Girardi will be part of the Hometown weekend.

Tessier said he met Paille when he was young at a public skating event. He said every Wellander to make the NHL is idolized by young athletes from the city.

"They made it to the show and that's what a lot of players in Welland want to do," said Tessier, a Grade 10 student.

Hometown Hockey events hosted by Rogers run Nov. 9 and 10 behind Welland Civic Square.

The City of Welland also has a number of events lined up on those days, as well as a warmup celebration at the arena on Nov. 8.

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