Tamara Greek and Jocelyn Wynnyk have played their way into the annals of Yukon hockey lore.

After displaying their talents in the B.C. Cup, the two high school students have been selected to the B.C. Provincial Camp.

Th e duo were chosen from a pool of 100 athletes, each vying for a spot on the national team.

The B.C. Cup marks the second step of a seven-step program to play at the national level.

With their selections, Greek, 16, and Wynnyk, 16, have progressed further along the process than any other female in the territory's history.

The duo will now head to the B.C. Provincial Camp, which will take place on May 17 in Salmon Arm, B.C.

"We found out Friday after school,” said Greek of learning about the selection.

"We (Greek and Wynnyk) found out at the same time and I was shocked. We're the first girls from the Yukon to ever make it past this cut.”

"I was really excited when I found out,” said Wynnyk.

"I was really confident coming out of the camp and I was super excited when I found out. It still really hasn't hit me yet.”

Both Greek and Wynnyk were unsure how they would stack up against the competition when they arrived at the B.C. Cup in Invermere, but when the tournament concluded, their play had elevated them to the top of the pool.

"I was really nervous and I thought it was going to be really hard and it was, it was one of the mo`re difficult things I've done, but it just made me realize how much you can push yourself and bring your playing ability to the next level,” said Wynnyk.

"It was really challenging but I just thought I'd be more of an underdog,” said Greek, who was named an assistant captain on the tournament's top team.

"I feel like I have a better chance of making the next cut now.”

Both players were members of the bronze medal winning Arctic Winter Games team, anchoring the back-end with Wynnyk in net and Greek defending.

This past season, Greek laced up for the Midget B Mustangs while Wynnyk played in B.C., manning the net for the Prince George Cougars.

Each player credited their teams in helping develop their skills and confidence this past year.

"It was really good to go away and be around that whole atmosphere,” said Wynnyk, who was also able to learn under the direction of a goalie coach.

Greek spoke of the tutelage and guidance she received from Mustangs head coach Kerry Pettitt.

"Having Kerry as a head coach really helped a lot,” she said. "I learned to play

more positionally and be stronger on defence.”

Both Greek and Wynnyk spoke to the Star on Tuesday afternoon, in between handing out sponsorship information to local businesses.

The duo will be touring the Okanagan Hockey Academy in Penticton, B.C. before they head to the provincial camp.

The academy consists of seven teams of male and female hockey players, with the squads taking to the ice for over 50 games a season.

Along with regular academics, the student athletes receive professional coaching on and off the ice.

"It'd be awesome to go there but it's expensive,” said Greek.

Tuition alone for one year at the academy amounts to $26,000, with additional fees, such as billeting, adding to the overall cost.

But for now, the duo are focusing on moving forward with their goal of making the national team.

"It's all happening so fast,” said Wynnyk.

"The next thing you know, we are going to be there.”

Both Wynnyk and Greek said they are focusing on dryland training with just eight days remaining until they are back on the ice for the provincial camp.

"I've been waking up early to go to the gym,” said Greek. "I've been running a lot and just working on fitness.”

"This is the last try-out so I'm really nervous but I'm also confident,” said Wynnyk.

"I've been doing dryland training and getting mentally prepared for it, I feel pretty confident but anything can happen at these camps.”

Wynnyk said the mental aspect of the try-out is just as challenging as the physical side of the sport.

"It's not only physically exhausting, it's really mentally really exhausting too to go through these competitions,” she said.

Wynnyk also said pushing herself to do the best she can has allowed her to relax and appreciate the opportunity she's earned.

"This year I felt really confident and knew I gave it my best and didn't have any regrets,” she said.

Greek displayed a similarly mature outlook on the process.

"If I don't make it I don't think I'll be too upset just because I made this cut and no one has ever done that,” she said.

"It's an accomplishment that I've made it this far.”

The duo, who have played with or against each other for as long as they can remember, know they can rely on one another to give themselves an extra push moving forward.

"When I first started I had no confidence and was really hard on myself but this past year I've been believing in myself and knowing I can do it,” said Wynnyk.

"Being with other people who will go as far as possible really helps you push yourself, too.”

Greek and Wynnyk will also be able to find motivation through the 45 athletes that will be joining them at the provincial camp.

"There's only one more cut so this is it,” said Greek. "We'll know if we made the national team after this.

"It's going to be fun.”