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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

USA HOCKEY RELEASE

FIFTEEN WITH WCHA TIES NAMED TO USA HOCKEY IIHF WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM ROSTER Three 2020-21 players, 11 alumni and one incoming freshman make up league contingent

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – March 30, 2021 – Fifteen players with Western Collegiate Hockey Association Women’s League ties are among the 25 players named to USA Hockey’s Women’s National Team, the national governing body announced Tuesday.

The group makes up the majority of the 26-player U.S. squad that will compete at the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship May 6-16 in Halifax and Truro, Nova Scotia.

“Congratulations to all of the WCHA players who will represent the at the IIHF World Championship,” WCHA Commissioner Jennifer Flowers said. “Representing your country on the international stage is one of the highest honors any athlete can achieve, and we’re proud to see so many of our players competing for our country. I also want to recognize the WCHA institutional representatives who will be a part of the U.S coaching and support staffs at this year’s World Championship. Good luck to all.”

The final U.S. roster includes three goaltenders, eight defensemen and 14 forwards. The WCHA contingent that makes up 60 percent of that group features one goaltender, four defensemen and 10 forwards.

The WCHA contingent includes three players who competed in the league this season – Minnesota forward Grace Zumwinkle, Wisconsin defenseman Natalie Buchbinder and her Badger teammate, forward Britta Curl. WCHA alumni on the roster include forwards , , and of Minnesota, Sydney Brodt of Minnesota Duluth and , Hilary Knight and Abby Roque of Wisconsin.

WCHA alumni on defense include Minnesota’s and while former Badger goaltender is one of the three U.S. netminders. Wisconsin 2021-22 signee Caroline Harvey is also among the U.S. defenders on the final roster.

In addition to the 15 players, University of Minnesota assistant coach Joel Johnson is a member of the U.S. coaching staff and Minnesota Duluth director of hockey operations Nick Bryant is the U.S. team leader and director of hockey operations. Several other with WCHA are serving as support staff, including Minnesota’s Brent Proulx (equipment manager) and Cal Dietz (head human performance coach) and Wisconsin’s Sis Paulson (equipment manager).

The United States will play its World Championship Group A preliminary round games at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax with host Canada, , and Switzerland. Group B, which features the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Hungary and Japan, will play at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre in Truro. The top three Group B finishers will advance to the quarterfinals along with all five Group A teams. The tournament schedule will be released at a later date.

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WCHA USA Hockey National Team Representatives

Name Pos. School Hometown Megan Bozek* D Minnesota Buffalo Grove, Ill. Hannah Brandt*^ F Minnesota Buffalo Grove, Ill. Sydney Brodt*^ F Minnesota Duluth North Oaks, Minn. Natalie Buchbinder D Wisconsin Fairport, N.Y. Dani Cameranesi*^ F Minnesota Plymouth, Minn. Alex Cavallini*^ G Wisconsin Delafield, Wis. Britta Curl F Wisconsin Bismarck, N.D. Brianna Decker*^ F Wisconsin Dousman, Wis. Caroline Harvey# D Wisconsin Pelham, N.H. Amanda Kessel*^ F Minnesota Madison, Wis. Hilary Knight*^ F Wisconsin Sun Valley, Idaho Kelly Pannek* F Minnesota Plymouth, Minn. Lee Stecklein*^ D Minnesota Roseville, Minn. Abby Roque F Wisconsin Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Grace Zumwinkle F Minnesota Excelsior, Minn.

Bold- 2020-21 WCHA player *- 2019 World Championship gold medalist ^- 2018 Olympic gold medalist #- 2021-22 Signee

About the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Women’s League The Women's League of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association will mark its 22nd season in 2020-21. The nation's premier women's hockey conference, WCHA member institutions have won a record 17 national championships since the league's inception in 1999 (including 16 of a possible 19 NCAA titles), while producing seven Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award winners, 105 All-Americans and numerous Olympic and national team members. The seven-team, NCAA Division I conference consists of: Bemidji State University (Beavers), the University of Minnesota (Golden Gophers), the University of Minnesota Duluth (Bulldogs), Minnesota State University (Mavericks), The Ohio State University (Buckeyes), St. Cloud State University (Huskies) and the University of Wisconsin (Badgers). The WCHA will grow to eight members with the addition of the University of St. Thomas (Tommies) beginning with the 2021-22 season. For more information, visit wcha.com.

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