April 2, 2012
|
 |
Release courtesy USA Hockey
 |
 Brianna Decker is one of the WCHA players named to Team USA |
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Hockey today announced the 23 players who make up its U.S. Women's National Team for the 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championship, which runs from April 7-14 in Burlington, Vt. Team USA has won the last three world championships (2008, 2009, 2011).
The U.S. squad was chosen following a selection camp that began March 25 in Lake Placid, N.Y., and included 27 players. The U.S. Women's National Team will continue to train in Lake Placid until departing on Wednesday (April 4) for Burlington.
Included in the group are seven WCHA member-team players from 2011-12. They are defensemen Megan Bozek and Anne Schleper and forward Amanda Kessel of 2012 NCAA Women's Frozen Four champion Minnesota, 2012 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award-winner and forward Brianna Decker and forward Hilary Knight of WCHA regular season champion Wisconsin, and forwards Jocelyne Lamoureux and Monique Lamoureux-Kolls of North Dakota.
Five players named to the U.S. Team are WCHA alums. They are goaltender Jessie Vetter (Wisconsin), defensemen Lisa Chesson (Ohio State) and Gigi Marvin (Minnesota) and forwards Erika Lawler (Wisconsin) and Jenny Potter (Minnesota Duluth).
"We had some extremely difficult decisions to make after a great week of training and competition in Lake Placid," said Reagan Carey, director of women's hockey for USA Hockey. "Each player was challenged to become better and each player rose to the occasion. I look forward to this team having the opportunity to defend our World Championship title on home ice."
"This group is made of experience and youth, but most importantly, some very exciting players to compete for a world championship," said Katey Stone, head coach for Team USA and also the head women's ice hockey coach at Harvard University. "We hope the crowds come out and don the red, white and blue in Burlington."
The American roster is made up of three goaltenders, seven defensemen and 13 forwards. There are a total of 13 Olympians on the squad, including four-time Olympian Jenny Potter (Edina, Minn.) and Julie Chu (Fairfield, Conn.), who has played on three Olympic teams. A total of 15 players are on the roster who helped Team USA win the world title in 2011.
Defenseman Megan Bozek (Buffalo Grove, Ill.) and forward Taylor Wasylk (Port Huron, Mich.) are making their U.S. Women's National Team debut at the senior level. An additional four players will be competing in their first IIHF Women's World Championship, including defenseman Michelle Picard (Taunton, Mass.) and forwards Hannah Brandt (Vadnais Heights, Minn.), Jillian Dempsey (Winthrop, Mass.) and Amanda Kessel (Verona, Wis.).
Further, 12 members of Team USA played NCAA Division I women's ice hockey during the 2011-12 season, while seven played in either the Canadian Women's Hockey League or the Western Women's Hockey League and one played in prep school. Of the 12 NCAA players, eight participated in the 2012 NCAA tournament, six advanced to the Women's Frozen Four and three captured the national title as part of the University of Minnesota.
At the last IIHF Women's World Championship, which took place in Zurich and Winterthur, Switzerland, in 2011, the U.S. defeated Canada, 3-2, in overtime in the gold-medal game to earn its third straight world title. Top-seeded Team USA opens play in Burlington against Canada on April 7.
Roster Highlights
13 Olympians … 15 World Champions … 9 World U18 Champions … 15 players from the 2009 Women's World Championship team (gold) … 17 players from the 2011 Four Nations Cup (first place) … 7 Canadian Women's Hockey Leage/Western Women's Hockey League players … 12 NCAA Division I players … 1 prep school player.
Notes: The preliminary roster was reduced by four players to form the 23-player U.S. Women's National Team … The U.S. Women's National Team training camp is taking place at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, NY … Members of the U.S. Women's National Team range in age from 18-33 … Hannah Brandt is the youngest player, while Jenny Potter is the oldest … All 23 players have skated in at least one international event for Team USA … Team USA has won four gold medals and nine silvers in the 13 previous IIHF Women's World Championships … The U.S. has won four of the last five world championships (2005, 2008, 2009, 2011) … As previously announced, Harvard University's Katey Stone will serve as the head coach of the U.S. Women's National Team … Joining Stone as assistant coaches are Laura Halldorson and Bobby Jay … Stone and Jay were behind the bench for the U.S. at the 2011 Four Nations Cup … Robb Stauber is serving as the goaltending coach and scout, while Michael Boyle is the head strength and conditioning coach … For ticket information for the 2012 IIHF Women's World Championship, call (802) 656-4410.