Jack Roslovic and Mathew Tkachuk were watching a YouTube video when they had a stroke of inspiration.

On the video, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton celebrated a play by pretending to grab the front of his jersey and rip it in two, like Superman pulling apart his shirt to reveal the “S” logo underneath.

So Roslovic and Tkachuk took the idea to their U.S. National Under-18 Team linemate Auston Matthews, and a tradition was born.

Now, any time one of them scores, they do their own Superman poses.

The way the line has been playing, it should be no surprise that they have become known as the “Superman Line.” Since Feb. 4, the trio has combined for 41 goals and 103 points in 18 games — an average of 5.7 points per game.

“We started playing together at the Four Nations [back in November],” Roslovic said. “Honestly, I’m playing with great players right now. We can play in all three zones, and we have good balance. We need to play with physicality, play with some meanness and, of course, we need to work hard as a group. We have good chemistry right now.”

Roslovic is playing some of his best hockey since joining the National Team Development Program, with 21 goals and 57 points heading into the International Ice Hockey Federation Under-18 World Championship, which begin April 16 in Switzerland.

“The development part has been huge,” Roslovic, a 6-foot-1, 182-pound forward, said. “Our training last spring, both on and off the ice, plus my training this this past summer has been a big part of my on-ice play.

“Last year, there were times where I had no confidence on the ice. Everything we have done on the ice and in practice has made the difference this season. I spent the summer working out with my longtime trainer Brady, and it really helped. We did off-ice workouts, and I even skated with my old team on the ice.”

Roslovic credits the NTDP for helping him grow, both as a player and a person.

“They put you through a structured schedule, which helps a ton,” he said. “You go to school, go to the rink, go home and do homework. You do the same thing day in and day out, and it helps mature you as a person. It doesn’t allow you to do stuff that normal teenagers do.

“You make that lifestyle choice. On the ice, you are playing with the best kids, and that is important in your development.”

That’s why he loves putting on the USA jersey, each and every day.

“I don’t take it for granted,” Roslovic said. “With the season winding down, I realize just how special it is to wear the jersey. It was crazy to put the jersey on at our last home game [on March 29 against Muskegon].

“It’s just so special. I want to work as hard as I can for my brothers.”

As defending U18 world champions, Roslovic and his teammates know they’ll have to work hard to defend Team USA's title this month.

“We have the target on our back,” he said. “We have played well in international competition. We need to wear teams down and play a USA style of game.

“I’m proud of what we have done in international play. It shows how hard we have worked and the team chemistry both on and off the ice.”

Following his NTDP career, Roslovic will play college hockey at Miami University. He is excited to move back to his home state, and Oxford is only about two hours from where he grew up in Columbus, Ohio. Next season will also mark the first time he will play hockey for a school team.

“This will be something new,” he said. “It’s close to home, and there are kids from back home that go to school at Miami that I know. Plus, it will be close for my parents.”

Roslovic will also be closer to his home association. As the first player from the Blue Jackets midget minor program to join the NTDP, he serves as a role model for the kids playing there now.

“It’s awesome that hockey is upcoming in Columbus, and I do get to talk to the kids in the Blue Jackets program,” he said. “I tell them about my experiences, and my great time at the NTDP. It’s pretty cool to share with the kids. They do look up to me. Hopefully, some will find the same path I’m doing or become better hockey players.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.

Favorite NHL Team
Columbus Blue Jackets

Favorite Goal Celebration
Superman

Favorite Video Game
Call of Duty

Favorite Movie
Wolf of Wall Street

Favorite TV Show
Breaking Bad

Favorite Actress
Blake Lively

Favorite Music
Drake

Favorite Athlete (Non-Hockey)
Lebron James