Wickenheiser to Captain Team Canada

On Saturday, Hockey Canada announced that forward Hayley Wickenheiser has become the captain of Team Canada. She also held the position last season as well. Becky Kellar and Caroline Ouellet will be the assistants. Wickenheiser is the sixth captain in team history. She succeeded Cassie Campbell who held the title from 2001-06.

Team Captains:

2007-present - Hayley Wickenheiser
2001-06 - Cassie Campbell
1999-2000 - Therese Brisson
1994-98 - Stacy Wilson
1992 - France St-Louis
1990 - Sue Scherer

On Wednesday, Sports Illustrated announced their 25 toughest athletes list, and Wickenheiser came 20th. The Shaunavon, SK native was the second woman on the list with British triathlete Chrissie Wellington who came 10th.

USA Hockey Announces World Championship Roster

On Friday, USA Hockey announced the roster that will compete at the World Championships beginning on Friday in Harbin, China. The team is made up of seven Olympians with 13 of the players returning from last year’s team along with seven newcomers.

The Olympians who will be returning are Jenny Potter, Angela Ruggiero, Julie Chu, Natalie Darwitz, Caitlin Cahow, Molly Engstrom, and Sarah Parsons. Members of the 2007 team who will be there again include Meghan Duggan, Hilary Knight, Erika Lawler, Gigi Marvin, Kerry Weiland, and Jessie Vetter.

Making their debut are Kacey Bellamy, Rachael Drazan, Jessica Koizumi, Karen Thatcher, Sam Faber, Kelli Stack, and Molly Schaus. Bellamy, Drazan, Koizumi, and Thatcher have competed at the Four Nations Cup, while Faber, Stack, and Schaus have played at the U22 level.

Roster

Goalies

1 Molly Schaus, 5-8, 148, L, Natick, MA Boston College (HEA)
31 Jessie Vetter, 5-8, 169, L, Cottage Grove, WI University of Wisconsin (WCHA)

Defenders

22 Kacey Bellamy, 5-8, 143, L, Westfield, MA University of New Hampshire (HEA)
8 Caitlin Cahow, 5-4, 155, L, Branford, CT Harvard University (ECACH)
13 Julie Chu 5-8, 145, R, Fairfield, CT Minnesota Whitecaps (WWHL)
26 Rachael Drazan, 5-6, 150, L, Orono, MN University of Minnesota (WCHA)
9 Molly Engstrom, 5-9, 174, R, Siren, WI Brampton Canadette-Thunder (CWHL)
4 Angela Ruggiero, 5-9, 188, R, Harper Woods, MI Minnesota Whitecaps (WWHL)
23 Kerry Weiland, 5-4, 140, L, Palmer, AK Vaughan Flames (CWHL)

Forwards

20 Natalie Darwitz, 5-3, 138, R, Eagan, MN Minnesota Whitecaps (WWHL)
10 Meghan Duggan, 5-9, 164, R, Danvers, MA University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
Sam Faber, 5-4, 131, R, Mt. Sinai, NY University of New Hampshire (HEA)
21 Hilary Knight, 5-10, 172, R, Hanover, NH University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
Jessica Koizumi, 5-4, 144, L, Simi Valley, CA Minnesota Whitecaps (WWHL)
2 Erika Lawler, 5-0, 130, R, Fitchburg, MA University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
18 Gigi Marvin, 5-8, 166, R, Warroad, MN University of Minnesota (WCHA)
27 Sarah Parsons, 5-8, 144, R, Dover, MA Dartmouth College (ECACH)
12 Jenny Potter, 5-4, 140, L, Edina, MN Minnesota Whitecaps (WWHL)
Kelli Stack, 5-5, 130, R, Brooklyn Heights, OH Boston College (HEA)
5 Karen Thatcher, 5-8, 164, L, Douglas, MA Vaughan Flames (CWHL)

Head Coach: Jackie Barto, Lewis Center, OH
Assistant Coaches: Paul Flanagan, Canton, NY, Kevin Houle, Morrisonville, NY

Team Canada and Team USA will both begin play tomorrow as they take the first steps toward a showdown on Saturday, April 12th as the Americans take on the Germans at 3:30 am on Friday with Canada and Russia to follow at 7:00 am ET.

Schedule/Results

Friday, April 4, 2008 All Games EST

01 12:05 AM JPN - SWE Preliminary
02 3:30 AM GER - USA Preliminary
03 7:00 AM RUS - CAN Preliminary

Saturday, April 5, 2008

04 12:05 AM FIN - JPN Preliminary
05 3:30 AM SUI - GER Preliminary
06 7:00 AM CHN - RUS Preliminary

Sunday, April 6, 2008

07 12:05 AM SWE - FIN Preliminary
08 3:30 AM USA - SUI Preliminary
09 7:00 AM CAN - CHN Preliminary

Monday, April 7, 2008 - Day Off

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

10 12:05 AM B1 - C1 Playoff
11 3:30 AM B2 - C2 Playoff
12 7:00 AM B3 - C3 Playoff

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

12:00 a.m. C1 - A1 Playoff
14 3:30 AM C2 - A2 Playoff
15 7:00 AM C3 - A3 Playoff

Thursday, April 10, 2008

16 12:00 AM A1 - B1 Playoff
17 3:30 AM A2 - B2 Playoff
18 7:00 AM A3 - B3 Playoff

Friday, April 11, 2008 - Day Off

Saturday, April 12, 2008

19 3:30 AM Bronze Medal Game
20 7:00 a.m. Gold Medal Game