Athletes of the Week: Sarah and Amy Potomak

Names: Sarah Potomakand AmyPotomak

Age: 18and 17 respectively

Hometown:Aldergrove

Latest claim to fame: ThePotomaks are the firstsisterduo to be named to the Sr. National Women's team. They'll play in a two-game series against the U.S.later this month.

Story: Think Daniel and Henrik only younger, female and not identical twins and you get a sense of the on-ice chemistry between Sarah and Amy.

Their brand of Sedinery we'll call it "Potomagic" was born of many happy hours playing road hockey with four older brothers,and many years skating on the same line in minor hockey.

"We just always know where the other is when we're on the ice together,"said Amy."When we were little, we would always come up with playsinour backyardthen go on the ice andpractice those plays."

"Both of us haveoffensive ability," said Sarah. "I do like to set the plays up, and Amy is a bigger body so she's able to get to the net a little easier."

X factor on ice

Having an instinct for each other gives the sisters an Xfactor on theice, but sometimes the familiarity breedsfriction.

"We do bicker on the bench sometimes," said Sarah.

"Especially if one of us makes a bad play," laughed Amy. "But it's all out of love."

As newcomers to Team Canada, the sisters are well aware that the games against the U.S. are an audition for bigger things, like the 2017 World Championships and the 2018 Olympics.

"This series is obviously huge for me and Amy to play welland prove ourselves," said Sarah."I'm a bit nervous, but it's more exciting."

'I'm just going to grab it'

"It's something that I've been waiting for forever so I'm just going to grab it and play the best I can," she said.

"It's really cool," said Amy. "[Marie-Philip] Poulin and [Natalie] Spoonerare two players who Sarah and I looked up to a lot growing up. And now to be in the same room as themand watchthem play and see their habits, it's extremely helpful."

While it's hard not to speak of the sisters as a single unit, their individual credentials speak volumes about their talent.

Last year, Sarah led the University of Minnesota to the NCAA Frozen Four title, while being named MVP of the tournament and NCAArookie of the year. This season, she continues to light it up with 11 goals and 16 assists in 16 games.

Last month, Amy wasnamed MVP of the Canadian U18 National Championships for a second straight year. Last week, she announced she will play major midget boys hockey with the West Valley Hawks while continuing to captain the Pacific Steelers of the Junior Women's Hockey League where she is putting up over two and a half points per game.

B.C. breakthrough?

The sisters stand to make a little bit of history for female hockey in this province.In the 28 year existence of the women's national team,only one B.C. player has ever been named to aworld championship or Olympicteam goalie Danielle Dube.

"The players coming out of B.C. are just getting stronger and stronger," said Amy. "The programs, the major midget teams, the academies, and with UBC doing really well, it helps inspireyoung girls."

"Ontario and Quebec are usually dominant for the nationalteam," said Sarah. "It's pretty incredible for us to make this team."

The first game of what Hockey Canada is calling the December Series goesDec. 17 in Plymouth, Mich.,with the second game two nights later in Sarnia, Ont.