Ten current college players were among the 24-player preliminary roster announced today by USA Hockey for the U.S. Women’s National Team that will compete in the 2007 International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship in Winnipeg and Selkirk, Man., from April 3-10.
Among the fresh faces on the roster are Boston College freshmen Allie Thurnstrom and Kelli Stack, who recently led BC to its second straight Beanpot title, and Wisconsin freshman Meghan Duggan. Minnesota sophomore Gigi Marvin and Wisconsin sophomore Erika Lawler are competing in their first World Championship after having played in the Four Nations Cup in November.
Thirteen of the 24 are locks for the team, while the remaining seven spots will be decided during a camp in Grand Forks, N.D., prior to the start of the tournament.
Heading up the preliminary roster are 11 Olympians, including three-time U.S. Olympians Jenny Potter (Edina, Minn.) and Angela Ruggiero (Harper Woods, Mich.), along with two-time Olympians Julie Chu (Fairfield, Conn.), Natalie Darwitz (Eagan, Minn.) and Krissy Wendell (Brooklyn Park, Minn.).
In addition, eight players return from the 2005 U.S. Women’s National Team that won the gold medal at the IIHF World Championship for the first time ever, including Chu, Darwitz, Molly Engstrom (Siren, Wis.), Chanda Gunn (Huntington Beach, Calif.), Sarah Parsons (Dover, Mass.), Potter, Ruggiero and Wendell.
“I’m really excited about this team,” said Mark Johnson, head coach of the 2007 U.S. Women’s National Team. “After seeing the talent pool we had at our holiday camp, our entire staff feels that we have a chance to do really well in the tournament. It will also be a huge help to have a lengthy training camp in Grand Forks.”
Team USA, which is looking to defend its 2005 world title, will hold a tryout/training camp at the Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks from March 21-April 1, with the final 20-player roster set to be announced on March 27.
The final team will also play a pair of games against reigning Olympic silver medalist Sweden in preparation for the world championship. The first game will be held at the REA on March 30 at 7 p.m. CST and the second will take place at the Gardens Arena in Warroad, Minn., on April 1 at 1 p.m.
2007 U.S. Women’s Team – Preliminary Roster
GOALTENDERS (3)
Chanda Gunn, Northeastern ’04
Jessie Vetter, Wisconsin (So.)
Shari Vogt, Minnesota State ’04
DEFENSEMEN (7),
Caitlin Cahow*, Harvard (Jr.)
Julie Chu*, Harvard (Sr.)
Molly Engstrom*, Wisconsin ’05
Kelli Halcisak, Providence ’04
Helen Resor*, Yale (So.)
Angela Ruggiero* , Harvard ’04
Kerry Weiland, Wisconsin ’03
FORWARDS (14),
Natalie Darwitz* , Minnesota ’06
Meghan Duggan*, Wisconsin (Fr.)
Tiffany Hagge*, Dartmouth ’06
Kristin King*, Dartmouth ’02
Hilary Knight, Choate Rosemary Hall (NEPSAC)
Erika Lawler*, Wisconsin (So.)
Gigi Marvin, Minnesota (So.)
Sarah Parsons*, Dartmouth (Fr.)
Jenny Potter, Minnesota-Duluth ’04
Kelli Stack, Boston College (Fr.)
Karen Thatcher*, Providence ’06
Allie Thunstrom, Boston College (Fr.)
Krissy Wendell*, Minnesota ’05
Rush Zimmerman, Providence ’05
