USA Hockey Holiday Camp Starts December 26th

Beginning Wednesday, December 26th, USA Hockey will host 56 of the best American players at the Holiday Camp at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, New York. The camp will run until New Year’s Day and will serve as a tryout and training session for the National Team and National U18 Team, both of which participate in world championships April and January respectively.

The festival will consist of three teams - Red, White, and Blue - for daily practices and scrimmages. Making up Team White will be the 22 players trying out for one of 20 spots on the National U18 Team. That team will travel to Calgary, AB for the first ever World U18 Championships that will run from January 7-12. The final roster will be announced on January 2nd.

Daily scrimmages will include 15 minute periods. Thirty four players will play for team Red and Blue to get their chance to play for the U.S. at the World Championships from April 4th-12th in Harbin, China.

The other two teams, Red and Blue, will include a total of 34 players who will be looking to earn their way onto the U.S. contingent for the 2008 IIHF World Women's Championship, which runs from April 4-12 in Harbin, China.

The revised roster has changed; Golden Gopher Jen Schoullis and Badger Hilary Knight will replace Kristin King and Meghan Duggan. Among the invitees are 20 of the 22 players who competed with the 2007 Four Nations Cup Select Team at the Four Nations Cup in November. Nine have participated in at least one Olympics. National Team coaching staff head coach Jackie Barto, assistant coaches Paul Flanagan and Kevin Houle, goaltending consultant Dave Flint, and strength and conditioning coach Teena Murray will work side by side with the U18 Team coaching staff of head coach Katey Stone and assistant coaches Erin Whitten Hamlen and Bob Deraney at the training camp.

Team Red

Goalies

Chanda Gunn, 5'7" 146lbs, 1/27/80 L, Huntington Beach, CA, 2007 US National Team
Jessie Vetter, 5'8" 170lbs, 12/19/85 L, Cottage Grove, WI, University of Wisconsin (WCHA)

Defense

Lisa Chesson, 5'6" 150lbs, 8/18/86 L, Plainfield, IL, Ohio State University (WCHA
Katherine Dineen, 5'5" 134lbs, 4/13/87 R, St. Paul, MN, Princeton University (ECACH)
Molly Engstrom, 5'9" 177lbs, 3/1/83 R, Siren, WI, Vaughan Flames (CWHL)
Anya Miller, 5'7" 171lbs, 4/5/86 R, Elk River, MN, University of Minnesota (WCHA
Angela Ruggiero, 5'9" 185lbs, 1/3/80 R, Harper Woods, MI, Minnesota Whitecaps (WWHL)
Kerry Weiland, 5'4" 140lbs, 10/18/80 L, Palmer, AK, Vaughan Flames (CWHL)

Forwards

Meghan Fardelmann, 5'8" 152lbs, 6/7/87 R, Lansing, KS, Boston College (HEA)
Lizzie Keady, 5'7" 145lbs, 8/16/85 L, Braintree, MA, Princeton University (ECACH)
Monique Lamoureux, 5'6" 162lbs, 7/3/89 R, Grand Forks, ND, Shattuck St. Mary’s (MWEHL)
Gigi Marvin, 5'8" 169lbs, 3/7/87 R, Warroad, MN, University of Minnesota (WCHA)
Sarah Parsons, 5'8" 146lbs, 7/27/87 R, Dover, MA, Dartmouth College (ECACH)
Jenny Potter, 5'4" 156lbs, 1/12/79 L, Edina, MN, Minnesota Whitecaps (WWHL)
Kelli Stack, 5'5" 131lbs, 1/13/88 R, Brooklyn Heights, OH, Boston College (HEA)
Karen Thatcher, 5'8" 164lbs, 2/29/84 L, Douglas, MA, Vaughan Flames (CWHL)
Jinelle Zaugg, 6'0" 181lbs, 3/27/86 L, Eagle River, WI, University of Wisconsin (WCHA)

Team White—U18

Goalies

Alyssa Grogan*, 5'7" 160lbs, 5/15/90 L, Eagan, MN, Eagan High School (MSHSL)
Rebecca Ruegsegger*, 5'8" 160lbs, 9/21/90 L, Lakewood, CO, Shattuck-St. Mary’s (MWEHL)

Defense

Blake Bolden, 5'6" 140lbs, 3/10/91 R, Stow, OH, Northwood School (U.S. Prep)
Kasey Boucher, 5'7" 138lbs, 10/25/90 L, Lewiston, ME, North American Hockey Academy (U.S. Prep)
Megan Bozek, 5'9" 164lbs, 3/27/91 R, Buffalo Grove, IL, Chicago Mission U19 (MWEHL)
Audrey Hanmer, 5'6" 139lbs, 9/14/92 R, Wyoming, MN, Forest Lake High School (MSHSL)
Alev Kelter, 5'7" 150lbs, 3/21/91 R, Eagle River, AK, Chugiak High School/Anchorage North Stars U19)
Anne Schleper, 5'10" 168lbs, 1/30/90 L, St. Cloud, MN, St. Cloud Cathedral High School (MSHSL)
Sasha Sherry, 6'0" 180lbs, 4/5/90 R, Lehighton, PA, Princeton University (ECACH)
Kelly Wild, 5'3" 121lbs, 3/8/90 L, Mendota Heights, MN, Cretin-Derham Hall (MSHSL)

Forwards

Brooke Ammerman, 5'8" 155lbs, 7/13/90 R, River Vale, NJ, North American Hockey Academy (U.S. Prep)
Kate Bacon*, 5'6" 144lbs, 4/25/90 L, Chanhassen, MN, Benilde-St. Margaret’s (MSHSL)
Ashley Cottrell, 5'5" 139lbs, 4/4/90 R, Sterling Heights, MI, Little Caesars U19 (MWEHL)
Kendall Coyne, 5'0" 115lbs, 5/25/92 L, Palos Heights, IL, Chicago Mission U19 (MWEHL)
Brianna Decker, 5'4" 156lbs, 5/31/91 R, Dousman, WI, Shattuck-St. Mary’s (MWEHL)
Sarah Erickson, 5'7" 135lbs, 3/28/90 R, LaPorte, MN, Bemidji High School (MSHSL)
Amanda Kessel, 5'6" 130lbs, 8/28/91 R, Madison, WI, Shattuck-St. Mary’s (MWEHL)
Meagan Mangene, 5'6" 138lbs, 8/21/92 R, Manorville, NY, North American Hockey Academy (U.S. Prep)
Madison Packer, 5'8" 145lbs, 6/25/91 R, Birmingham, MI, Little Caesars U19 (MWEHL)
Kelley Steadman, 5'11" 160lbs, 7/17/90 R, Plattsburgh, NY, Northwood School (U.S. Prep)
Corey Stearns, 5'9" 132lbs, 12/27/90 R, Falmouth, MA, Noble and Greenough School (ISL)
Elizabeth Turgeon, 5'8" 155lbs, 7/24/92 L, Cherry Hills Village, CO, Colorado Select U16 (MWEHL)

Team Blue

Goalies

Molly Schaus, 5'8" 152lbs, 7/29/88 L, Natick, MA, Boston College (HEA)
Megan Van Beusekom, 5'8" 170lbs, 12/14/81 L, Loretto, MN, Minnesota Whitecaps (WWHL)

Defense

Kacey Bellamy, 5'8" 145lbs, 4/22/87 L, Westfield, MA, University of New Hampshire (HEA)
Caitlin Cahow, 5'4" 157lbs, 5/20/85 L, Branford, CT, Harvard University (ECACH)
Julie Chu, 5'8" 148lbs, 3/13/82 R, Fairfield, CT, Minnesota Whitecaps (WWHL)
Rachael Drazan, 5'6" 152lbs, 1/11/86 L, Orono, MN, University of Minnesota (WCHA)
Maggie Joyce, 5'11" 165lbs, 4/13/87 L, Hudson, OH, University of New Hampshire (HEA)
Helen Resor, 5'9" 142lbs, 10/18/85 L, Greenwich, CT, Yale University (ECACH)

Forwards

Natalie Darwitz, 5'3" 135lbs, 10/13/83 R, Eagan, MN, Minnesota Whitecaps (WWHL)
Hilary Knight 5'10" 170lbs, 7/12/89, R, Hanover, NH, University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
Crysti Howser, 5'6" 149lbs, 8/30/87 L, Wilmette, IL, Yale University (ECACH)
Jen Schoullis, 5'9" 170lbs, 3/7/89, L, Girard, PA, University of Minnesota (WCHA)
Jessica Koizumi, 5'4" 143lbs, 4/15/85 L, Simi Valley, CA, Minnesota Whitecaps (WWHL)
Jocelyne Lamoureux, 5'6" 157lbs, 7/3/89 R, Grand Forks, ND, Shattuck St. Mary’s (MWEHL)
Erika Lawler, 5'0" 130lbs, 2/5/87 R, Fitchburg, MA, University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
Erica McKenzie, 5'7" 156lbs, 5/26/86 L, Hastings, MN, University of Minnesota (WCHA)
Emily West, 5'5" 141lbs, 3/22/89 L, Colorado Springs, CO, University of Minnesota (WCHA)

National Team Head Coach: Jackie Barto, Lewis Center, OH, Assistant Coaches: Paul Flanagan, Canton, NY, Kevin Houle, Morrisonville, NY
Under-18 Team Head Coach: Katey Stone, Arlington, MA, Assistant Coaches: Erin Whitten Hamlen, Hampton, NH, Bob Deraney, Shrewsbury, MA

Cunningham is ECAC Player of the Week

Dartmouth sophomore forward Jenna Cunningham has been named the ECAC player of the week. She was a part of all six goals that the Big Green netted in the 6-4 win over Mercyhurst on Sunday with a hat trick and three assists. The six points in one game was a career high for her and she was named the first star of that game.

There was no rookie of the week or goalie of the week selected in the ECAC this week.

Faber, Herman, and Bellamy Win Hockey East Awards

New Hampshire swept the awards in Hockey East as senior forward Sam Faber, freshman goalie Kayley Herman, and junior defenseman Kacey Bellamy won the player of the week, rookie of the week, and defensive player of the week awards, respectively. In Friday’s 4-1 win over Harvard, Faber netted two goals with one being the game-winner and finished the game with a +3.

In the same game, Herman made 22 saves with ten of them coming in the opening frame. Harvard’s power play is the number one ranked in the nation, and New Hampshire held them scoreless. Bellamy assisted on Faber’s game-winner and was also a +3. She was instrumental as New Hampshire’s limited the NCAA DI’s sixth ranked offense to one goal.

New Hampshire Regains Top Spot in Polls

With 16 of 19 first place votes and 187 points, New Hampshire regained the top spot on the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine College Poll. They last reached the top spot on December 4th. Last Friday, the Wildcats beat previous number one Harvard 4-1.

Minnesota Duluth (170) received two first-place votes and moved from third to second, while Harvard (156) fell from first to third and garnered the final first place vote. The University of Minnesota (124) finished fourth and St. Lawrence University (104) fifth.

The top three finished in the same order on the USCHO.com poll, with New Hampshire receiving 13 of the 15 first place votes, while UMD finished second taking two first place votes, with Harvard in third with the final first place vote.

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll - #13 (first-place votes in parentheses)

1) University of New Hampshire, 187 (16)
2) University of Minnesota Duluth, 170 (2)
3) Harvard University, 156 (1)
4) University of Minnesota, 124
5) St. Lawrence University, 104
6) Mercyhurst College, 102
7) University of Wisconsin, 78
8) Dartmouth College, 59
9) University of Connecticut, 39
10) St. Cloud State University, 18

Others receiving votes: Clarkson University, 8.

USCHO .com DI Poll

1) New Hampshire (13)
2) Minnesota Duluth (1)
3) Harvard (1)
4) Minnesota
5) Mercyhurst
6) St. Lawrence
7) Wisconsin
8) Dartmouth
9) Connecticut
10) St. Cloud State

Others receiving votes: Clarkson 4, Boston College 3

Games This Week

All of the play on the final weekend before the Christmas break was non-conference, with action beginning on Friday night. New Hampshire knocked off Harvard 4-1 and Minnesota-Duluth defeated St. Lawrence by the same score. In an exhibition contest, the Toronto Jr. Aeros blanked Union 1-0.

Saturday’s action saw Mercyhurst shutout Dartmouth 7-0, the Aeros complete the sweep of Union with a 6-2 victory, and Minnesota sweep St. Lawrence as they won 3-1.

The lone Sunday contest saw Dartmouth gain a split in their series with Mercyhurst with a 6-4 win after the 7-0 blowout on Saturday.

The Leaders

As there was no conference play this past weekend, the conference standings and stats remain the same. Mercyhurst still leads both the CHA conference and overall standings with their 4-0-0 conference and 14-4-2 overall records.

Mercyhurst sophomore forward Meghan Agosta leads all scorers both in the conference (8G, 4A) and overall (25G, 15A), while in the net, her teammate, senior Laura Hosier, continues to dominate with her 3-0-0 record, 0.33 GAA, and 0.983 SAV % in the conference to go along with her 10-4-2 overall record, 1.97 GAA, and 0.922 SAV %.

In the ECAC, Harvard leads both the conference and overall standings as they are 9-0-0 in conference play and 11-1-0 overall.

Dartmouth sophomore forward Jenna Cunningham’s eight goals and 13 assists in the conference gives her lead among scorers. She is also tops overall with her 15 goals and 18 assists.

Harvard sophomore Christina Kessler leads all ECAC goalies conference-wise as she has won all eight games started in the conference. She also has a 1.00 GAA, and 0.956 SAV %. With her 5-1-0 record, 0.92 GAA, and 0.943 SAV % Clarkson freshman Lauren Dahm tops all back-stoppers in the ECAC overall statistics.

New Hampshire is the top team in Hockey East with their 9-0-0 Hockey East record and 17-3-0 overall record. With seven goals and 11 assists, New Hampshire junior forward Sam Faber is the top point getter in the Hockey East conference standings and is also first overall with 14 goals and 15 assists.

Faber’s teammate, freshman goalie Kayley Herman, is once again tops in her position with her 8-0-0 record, 0.99 GAA, and 0.931 SAV % in the conference. Herman is also the top overall goalie as she is now 15-2-0 on the season to match her 1.24 GAA, and 0.882 SAV %.

Thirteen wins against three losses and no ties puts Minnesota-Duluth into the top spot in the WCHA conference standings and first overall with there 16-3-1 record.
UMD sophomore forward Saara Tuominen tops all WCHA point getters in the conference with ten goals and 15 assists. Her teammate, freshman Iya Gavrilova, leads all point getters overall as she has scored 12 goals while assisting on 18 others this season.

Their UMD teammate junior Kim Martin tops all conference goalies with her 10-3-0 record, 1.38 GAA, and 0.953 SAV %. Her 13-3-1 record, 1.27 GAA, and 0.958 SAV % gives her the nod as the overall leader this week as well.

Upcoming Games

All leagues now take a break for the Christmas holidays. When play resumes on Saturday, December 29th, the Nutmeg Classic will take place in Hamden, CT as Niagara will face Yale and Connecticut will face Quinnipiac, Robert Morris hosts Minnesota State, and Bemidji State takes on Vermont at home.

On December 30th, Minnesota State wraps up their visit to Robert Morris, Quinnipiac and Connecticut will face-off in another game in the Nutmeg Classic in Hamden as will Yale and Niagara, and Vermont will finish off their series with Bemidji State.