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Sunday, September 30, 2007

Jessica Koizumi on UMD Coaching Staff


I was just browsing the UMD coaching staff on UMDBulldogs.com and:

After helping captain the Bulldogs all the way to the 2007 national title game last season, Jessica Koizumi begins her first year with the UMD coaching staff.

Koizumi ended her Bulldog career with a bang, scoring two goals and notching one assist to help lift UMD over Boston College in double-overtime at the 2007 Frozen Four. Her game-winning-goal secured the Bulldog’s fourth appearnace in a national championship game, and landed her on the 2007 Frozen Four All-Tournament Team.

A native of Simi Valley, Calf., Koizumi finished her career ranked No. 7 on the UMD career scoring list with 155 points (84-71=155). The 2006-07 All-WCHA Third team selection scored a team-high six game-winning goals as a senior, finding the net 22 times and passing the puck for 18 assists. In September 2007, Koizumi was chosen by Team USA to compete in the upcoming Four Nations Cup, which will be held in Leksand, Sweden November 4 through the 22. Koizumi was previously named to the U-22 national team the past three years (2006, 2005, 2004), and won a gold medal at the roller hockey world championships with Team USA in July, 2006.

Koizumi graduated in May of 2007 from UMD with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in coaching. She was awarded the NCAA Post Graduate Scholarship and is currently working on her Masters of Education degree at UMD.



Saturday, September 29, 2007

UMD Beats Mn. Whitecaps 7-2


Visit the original article by clicking the blog title.

BULLDOG WOMEN OVERTURN WHITECAPS 7-2 IN EXHIBITION TUNE-UP

Last Updated: Saturday, September 29, 2007 6:17 PM

If exhibition games are meant to get rid of some off-season rust and preview the season to come, the University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team is ready for next Saturday's Western Collegiate Hockey Assocationa opener.

The Bulldogs swamped the Minnesota Whitecaps of the Western Women's Hockey League 7-2 on the ice of the Schwan's Super Rink, in Blaine, Minn. Satuday afternoon. Sophomore forward Saara Tuominen and Freshmen Haley Irwin and Iya Gavrilova led UMD with two goals each, while Irwin added an assist for good measure. Eight Bulldogs got in the scoring column overall.

"We played very well," said head coach Shannon Miller after the contest. "It was really more like a 4-2 game because we got a couple of soft goals, but it was a good early showing for us."

UMD got on the board first when Tuominen found the back of the net, courtsey of Irwin and Freshman Jocelyn Larocque. The Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead into the end of the first period.

That molehill of an advantage was quickly made into a mountain, with UMD scoring three goals in the second stanza. Irwin, showing why she was second in voting for the WCHA preseason Rookie of the Year, scored off an assist from the Bulldogs lone senior Karin Demeule. Tuominen struck again unassisted to make it 3-0 for UMD, and Irwin netted her second of the game off a pass from fellow U-22 Team Canada member Laura Fridfinnson and junior Sara O'Toole. The Whitecaps finally got past the Bulldogs backstopper Kim Martin when former UMD alum Jenny Potter scored, with help from from former teammate and current assistant coach Caroline Ouellette and second UMD assistant Julie Chu to make the score 4-1 after two periods of play.

Gavrilova scored her first goal of the game on an assit from Tuominen and Larocque to start the third period, while Fridfinnson pushed the score to 6-1 off of passes from Tawnii Mattilla and Demeule. Gavrilova netted her second goal of the game from Demeule's third assist of the game, ending UMD's scoring spree at seven. Chu connected on a pass from Potter late in the third, to wrap the final score up at 7-2. Boston College transfer Johanna Ellison played between the pipes for UMD in the final twenty minutes.

The Bulldogs take their show on the road next weekend when they head to St. Cloud State to officially kick-off the 2007-08 season. Game-time is slated for 7:07 p.m.



Monday, September 24, 2007

First NEWS Tribune UMD Women's Article for Season


As always, click the title to visit the article...

The article is Dated for Tuesday 9/25 so I'm sharing it now as it's on the News Tribune Website b4 they put it in print:

Puck starts here
Andy Greder Duluth News Tribune
Published Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Minnesota Duluth women’s hockey coach Shannon Miller often used “talented, but young” to describe her 2007-08 team at its first practice Monday.

The Bulldogs have one senior and lost 46 percent of their goal scoring with the departures of Noemie Marin, Jessica Koizumi and Michaela Lanzl.

“There is no question that we’ll miss them,” Miller said.

Yet, UMD returns four standout sophomores in forwards Saara Tuominen, Emmanuelle Blais, Elin Homlov and goalie Kim Martin from a team that went 24-11-4 and advanced to the NCAA Division I national championship game.

Miller has compiled 200 career wins and three national championships at UMD, but the 11 losses last year were second-most next to 12 defeats in 2003-04.

“We had bad stretches with five scholarship players out with injuries at once,” said Miller, in her ninth season as coach. “But we showed that it doesn’t matter and the rest of us can do it.”

Miller expects freshmen forwards Haley Irwin, Laura Fridfinnson, Iya Gavrilova and defender Joss Larocque to contribute immediately.

“Again, we’re talented, but young,” Miller said. “They are experienced at the international level, but not with us.”

Julie Chu, who as a senior at Harvard won the 2007 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award as the top player in Division I, joined Miller’s coaching staff this season.

“[Chu] is a natural leader and when you’re a natural leader, you’re a natural coach,” Miller said. “She has a positive perspective and that, coupled with leadership ability, you have a good role model and coach.”

Wisconsin ended UMD’s season with a 4-1 win in the championship game, and Miller said she expects the Badgers, Bulldogs and Mercyhurst, in Erie, Penn., to be the top three teams in the nation this season.

UMD will play an exhibition game against the Minnesota Whitecaps at 12:30 p.m. Saturday in Blaine, Minn., before opening the regular season at St. Cloud State on Oct. 5-6.


Thursday, September 20, 2007

Online Roster Profiles


UMDBulldogs.com has updated player profiles, including photos OF incoming freshmen AND Johanna Ellison. Click the blog title to go to the online roster, then click on a player's name for their profile!

Below are the new players profiles in case you'd rather not go click around:

Johanna Ellison--


BEFORE UMD:Played in 5 games for 253:29 last season as a sophomore for Boston College..racked up 62 saves and a 1.18 GAA in four wins...Saw the ice in eight games for the Eagles as a freshman, averaging almost 60 minutes a game...Played six seasons of varsity hockey at Cloquet High School...named AP Player of the Year for Minnesota, Duluth News Tribune Player of the Year and Let's Play Hockey Senior Goalie of the Year with a 1.28 GAA and 887 saves...was an AP First Team All-State selection three times...Pioneer Press First Team All-State selection twice...two-time All-State MGHCA selection...three-time First Team All-Area/Duluth News Tribune and garned First Team Lake Superior Conference three years running...picked as one of Sports Illustrated Faces in the Crowd (March 21, 2005).

PERSONAL: Born Johanna Ellison on August 23, 1986...is the daughter of David and Terri Ellison...has one sibbling...is a history major at UMD.
--

Jocelyne Larocque


BEFORE UMD: Is a 2006 graduate of College Lorette Collegiate…played hockey and basketball (2002-04) as a prep…became first female to appear in the Winnipeg High School Boy’s League in 2003-04…skated for Team Manitoba from 2003-06…completed one year of junior college at the University of Calgary…participated in the Canadian National Team Fall Festival that ran from Aug. 31-Sept. 9, 2007…is a Team Canada U-22 member and was crowned as an Air Canada Cup Champion in 2005-06 and 2006-07.

PERSONAL: Born Jocelyne Dawn Marie Larocque on May 19, 1988, in Ste. Anne, Manitoba…goes by the name Joss…is the daughter of Andy and Nancy Larocque…Has one sister, Chantal, who also plays for the UMD hockey team…is undecided on a major at UMD.
--

Iya Gavrilova

BEFORE UMD: Ranked no. 5 in goals at the 2007 IIHF World Championships in Winnipeg, Canada after netting four goals in four games and adding one assist for Team Russia...Skated the 2006-07 season with the Moscow Torandoes, tallying 32 points (19-13=32), second-best in scoring for the club...was a member of Team Russia for the 2006 Olympics in Turin...Spent four years (2002-06) with the Moscow Skif...started playing with the Krasnoyarsk Lokomotive as an 11-year-old, staying with the club four seasons (1998-2002)...played for Russia in the 2005 IIHF World Championships in Linkoping, Sweden, and previously in the 2004 IIHF World Championships in Halifax, Canada.

PERSONAL: Born Iya Viktorovna Gavrilova on September 3, 1987 in Krasnoyarsk, Russia...is the daughter of Viktor and Ludmila Gavrilova...before attending UMD, studied athletic training at a special college for Olympic athletes in Shelkovo, Russia for three years (2004-07)...is majoring in exercise science at UMD.
--

Chantal Larocque


BEFORE UMD: Graduated from College Lorette Collegiate in 2004...also played basketball as a prep (2000-01)…Team Manitoba member from 2001-04 and won the Western Shield Championship in 2002-03...completed one year of junior college at the University of Manitoba…took part in the 2007 U-22 Canada-US series in Lake Placid, NY…is a Team Canada U-22 member.

PERSONAL: Born Chantal Lynn Larocque on December 22, 1986, in Ste. Anne, Manitoba…goes by the name Chanti…is the daughter of Andy and Nancy Larocque…has one sister, Jocelyne, who also plays for the UMD hockey team…is undecided on a major at UMD.
--

Haley Irwin

BEFORE UMD: Was a member of Team Ontario, the undefeated 2003 Canada Winter Games Gold Medalists and the 2005 Canadian National U18 Champions...played for the Mississauga Aeros in the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL)...was captain of the Toronto Jr Aeros team that went undefeated in regular season in 2005-06, and finished with back-to-back Ontario Provincial Gold Medals and PWHL League championships in 2005 and 2006...won a national championship and NWHL Championship with the Senior Aeros in 2005...invited by Hockey Canada to attend National Team U-22 Camps in 2005 and 2006 and the Senior Camp in 2006...has also competed with Team Ontario, wining a national championship in February 2005 in Salmon Arm, British Columbia...participated in the Canadian National Team Fall Festival that ran from Aug. 31-Sept. 9, 2007 as well as the U-22 Canada-US series in Lake Placid, NY...is a Team Canada U-22 member.

PERSONAL: Born Haley Lyn Irwin on June 6, 1988 in Thunder Bay, Ontario...is the daughter of James and Kerry Irwin...has one older sister (Kirstyn) and an older brother (Brent)...is a pre-business major at UMD.
--

Tara Gray


BEFORE UMD: Suited up for the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) champion Toronto Aeros in 2006-07, finishing the season with 20 points (6-14=20), a +37 plus/minus ratio and 44 PIM…was a June 2007 Fitness Evaluation Camp and August 2007 Final Selection Camp invitee for Team Canada’s U-22 squad...skated with the Toronto Junior Aeros (Provincial Women’s Hockey League) in 2004-05 thru 2005-06, and, while doing so, won back-to-back PWHL titles…recorded 38 points (12-26=38) and was rated as a +113 during those two Junior Aero regular season campaigns...is a 2006 graduate of Earl Haig Secondary (Toronto) where she handled the hockey team captaincy role, participated in track and field (2002), was voted team MVP of the basketball team (2003) and also played field hockey (2005).

PERSONAL: Born Tara Sharron Gray on June 7, 1988, in Toronto, Ontario…is the daughter of Donald and Jodie Gray…has one older sister (Alexa) and one younger brother (Gordon)...is majoring in business at UMD.
--

Libby Guzzo

BEFORE UMD: Graduated from William M. Kelley (Minn.) High School in 2007…rotated between the center and right wing positions for the Silver Bay Mariners prep hockey team...was a five-year starter and five-time letter winner…was an all-area selection in 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07…led team in scoring twice (2004-05, 2005-06)…named the team’s best offensive player for 2006-07…also participated in volleyball and softball as a prep…selected as an all-area volleyball performer in 2006-07 and was voted the team’s Most Valuable Player…garnered all-area honors in softball during 2006 and 2007, in addition to all-state and team MVP recognition in 2006...will also suit up for the Bulldogs fastpitch team in the spring.

PERSONAL: Born Libby Danielle Guzzo on September 20, 1988, in Duluth, Minnesota…is the daughter of Mike and Mary Guzzo…has three sisters (Sheena, Kenzie and Taylor)…is undecided on a major at UMD.
--

Laura Fridfinnson

BEFORE UMD: Is a 2006 graduate of Arborg Collegiate Institute…skated for Team Manitoba from 2003-05 and handled the captaincy duties during final season with club…also played volleyball (2002), badminton (2003) and track and field (2003) as a prep…completed one year of junior college at the University of Calgary…participated for a second straight year in the Canadian National Team Fall Festival that ran from Aug. 31-Sept. 9, 2007 as well as the U-22 Canada-US series in Lake Placid, NY, where she netted a goal in each of the first two contests ...is a Team Canada U-22 member, and participated and won the Air Canada Cup in 2007.

PERSONAL: Born Laura Beth Fridfinnson on February 2, 1988, in Arborg, Manitoba…is the daughter of Brian and Heather Fridfinnson…has one older brother (Joel)…is undecided on a major at UMD.
--

All credit of course goes to UMDBulldogs.com, all I did was copy/paste.


UMD Starts Practice


UMDBulldogs.com FINALLY has a Women's Hockey update, and it confirms the 12:30 MN Whitecaps game.

The University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team will open 2007-08 preseason practice on this Monday (Sept. 24) at the UMD Sports and Health Center arena on the UMD campus. The media is welcome to interview coaches and players from 3:45 p.m. until 4:15 p.m. A team photo will be taken at 3:45 p.m., followed by individual ice shots. The first official practice of the season will begin sharply at 4:15 p.m.

With 15 returners lacing up, the Bulldogs are skating off a 24-11-4 2006-07 season in which they earned their fourth trip to the NCAA Frozen Four in program history. UMD played in the Frozen championship game after knocking out Boston College in double-overtime 4-3.

The Bulldogs will play their first exhibition game of the year against the Minnesota Whitecaps for a second straight season. That contest will take place September 29 at the Schwan Super Rink, in Blaine, Minn. The puck will drop at 12:30 p.m.



Tuesday, September 18, 2007

UMD Women Playing Minnesota Whitecaps Again


UMD and the MN Whitecaps women's professional team played last year, with UMD coming out on the victorious side at the DECC.. the following came via email from Suzanne Boley:

I've heard that UMD is to play MN Whitecaps in an exhibition game -- while its not posted on the UMD site, it is posted on the MN Whitecaps site (don't have the URL handy..) I also heard this at last Friday's UMD Women's Volleyball game -- some of the players were there, as well as the assistant coaches -- supposedly the game is at 12:30pm at the Blaine National Sports Center - Schwans Super Rink.


While I knew the Whitecaps had UMD on their schedule again (it's on the Whitecaps website/schedule) UMDBulldogs.com has yet to make any mention of the game. Until UMDBulldogs.com makes it official I'd say the game is very likely to happen, although the Whitecaps website last year had a SECOND UMD game listed that didn't happen is why I hadn't made mention earlier. The game is scheduled to take place September 29th, and considering her source is players, pretty certain the game time would be correct as well. :)


Monday, September 17, 2007

WCHA,COM UMD Season Preview Article!


As always, click the blog title to go to the page the article came from!

Plenty of Incentive for UMD Bulldogs in 2007-08

UMD to Host both WCHA Championship and NCAA Women's Frozen Four

Sept. 17, 2007

DULUTH, Minn. - With no short cuts to be found, the University of Minnesota Duluth withstood an onslaught of regular season injuries last winter to position themselves for a brilliant post-season run. The late-healing Bulldogs earned their fourth appearance in an NCAA national title game after upending Boston College 4-3 in double-overtime fashion in the NCAA semifinals. Posting an overall record of 24-11-4 one year ago, UMD will no doubt take a cue from its storied past when all eyes set on the WCHA Final Four and NCAA Frozen Four, both of which will be held on the home ice of the Bulldogs this spring.

Returning 15 letterwinners from last year's team, including two members of the 2007 WCHA All-Rookie Team (Kim Martin and Saara Tuominen), the Bulldogs will also add instant impact players with the addition of seven newcomers. Boasting what could be one of the best recruiting classes in UMD program history, expectations will again be high for the three-time NCAA national champions, expectations traditionally assumed by those who wear the jersey.

Shannon Miller, now in her ninth season behind the Bulldog bench as the only head coach UMD has ever employed, will look to build on her 200 career-wins without the leadership of six seniors and one sophomore from last year's roster. Captain Noemie Marin, assistant captains Jessica Koizumi, Jill Sales and Ashly Waggoner, as well as Suvi Vacker and Riita Schaublin set sail after leading the Bulldogs to three NCAA Tournament appearances in four years. German forward Michaela Lanzl finished her NCAA eligibility, joining Marin and Koizumi in scoring almost half (59) of UMD's 128 goals. Marin and Koizumi were the Bulldogs top offensive threats last winter (Marin netting 24 goals and 29 assists, and Koizumi adding 22 goals and 18 dishes), while Schaublin leaves UMD as it's all-time winning goaltender (65-27-8).

Left to carry the maroon and gold mantle of success will be a strong youth movement, which will highlight the Bulldogs lone senior, Karine Demeule, and of wealth of underclass experience, including four 2006 Olympians and 10 players currently members of their respective national teams.





"Every year we are fortunate to get good student-athletes that represent our institution well and put us in the running for the NCAA tournament," head coach Shannon Miller said. "However, for the second time in the short eight-year history of our program, we have what I would call an exceptional recruiting class coming in. My prediction is that this will be one of the best recruiting classes UMD has ever showcased. They are freshmen, but they are very talented and experienced freshmen that will make an impact immediately. This 2007-08 team will be one of the strongest and most exciting teams we have ever had."

Up Front: At first glance, the Bulldogs offense seems to have taken a hit with the graduation of Koizumi, Marin and Lanzl, who combined for 48 percent of UMD's goals last season. But a closer look reveals a crop of offensive talents that may instantly turn the Bulldogs into a perennial firepower. Sophomore forwards Saara Tuominen and Emmanuelle Blais, two of seven currently rostered UMD players to skate in all 39 games last winter, will suit up for their second season of collegiate play as the Bulldogs top returning offensive fixtures. Tuominen, a strong defensive forward with a knack of placing the puck, handed out 28 assists last year while adding 12 goals. Her 40 points during the 2006-07 campaign ranks first among returnees, and her ability to win face-offs will unquestionably make her one of the nation's most dominant centers.

Blais steps into her second season after proving she could carry some of the offensive load as a rookie. Blais, who will reign as the second highest returning point grabber with 35 (14+21=35), will be expected to be a key offensive contributor with her uncanny mix of speed, hands and toughness. Another key sophomore, Elin Holmlov, who suffered through a nagging injury last season, is looking to build on her 26-point (6+20=26) freshman performance. Junior Sara O'Toole, one of several Bulldogs bitten by the injury bug in 2006-07, will set her sights on leading an offensive charge, and attempt to top her 21 points (7+14=21) in 29 games one year ago.

Injecting some instant offense into the Bulldog ranks will be freshmen Haley Irwin, Laura Fridfinnson, members of the U-22 Canadian National Team, and Russian Olympian Iya Gavrilova. Irwin, a talented forward with the ability to set-up teammates and score big goals, is expected to be an impact player right away. Fridfinnson, a 5-8 forward with speed and vision will immediately yield offensive results, while the addition Gavrilova adds international experience and another threat to the Bulldogs arsenal as a strong skater with great hands and a talent for netting goals in important games.

On Defense: Despite losing three key defensemen to graduation, UMD will reload the blueline with a mixture of experience and the excitement of youth. The Bulldogs retain the services of junior Myriam Trepanier, the top point-getting defenseman last season (5+12=17), and one of two returning blueliners to skate in all 39 games in 2006-07. Heidi Pelttari, who only played the second half of the 2006-07 campaign, will anchor the ice as one of the Bulldogs strongest and most experienced players on the backline. Pelttari, who infuses a wealth of international experience courtesy of Team Finland, will also be joined on the blueline by freshman Jocelyn Laroque. Larocque, a member of the U-22 Canadian National team, possess the ability to skate and handle the puck that will instantly make her one of UMD's top defensemen. Tara Gray, another one of the Bulldogs five players invited to Team Canada's U-22 camp, will enhance UMD's depth on the blueline with a great shot from the point and ability to play all three zones.

In Goal: After splitting time between the pipes last season with Schaublin, sophomore Kim Martin, one of the premier netminders in all of women's hockey, will look to handle the brunt of UMD's puck-stopping duties. Martin complied an 11-7-2 record in 21 games as a freshman, and was cited as an All-WCHA Rookie Team and All-WCHA Second Team honoree. Following a debut season laced with injuries, a healthy Martin will be pivotal in a Bulldog run down championship lane. Joining UMD to assist Martin in goaltending duties will be Boston College transfer Johanna Ellison. Ellison, who was a Cloquet High School (Minn.) standout will be familiar with the confines of the Bulldogs home DECC ice, and will provide experience and some quality depth to the internationally renown Martin. Rounding out the trio of capable backstoppers, is Junior Amie Meyer, who finished the 2006-07 season with a perfect save percentage in four relief outings.

Home of the Championships: Drawing on past conclusions, the simple fact that Duluth will host the WCHA Playoff Championships for the first time and the NCAA Frozen Four for a second showing will make the 2007-08 stakes even higher for the Bulldogs. The only other time UMD has hosted a Frozen Four (2003), the Bulldogs skated away the national champions in front of a record crowd of 5,167, with a 4-3 double-overtime thriller over Harvard (and current Bulldog assistant Julie Chu). The 2007-08 squad will inevitably draw comparisons to the 2002-03 champions (which included UMD first assistant Caroline Ouellette). Both teams exhibit multiple Olympians, a streak of international flare, experience, and grit; the ingredients the Bulldogs are counting on to bring them home to the DECC ice on March 20, 2008.


Thursday, September 13, 2007

USAhockey.com Interviews Julie Chu


As always, click the blog title to go visit the website the article came from, usahockey.com

Sept. 13, 2007

By Cameron Eickmeyer
www.usahockey.com

When it comes to hockey, there isn't much Julie Chu hasn't accomplished or at least attempted.

Harvard University's all-time leader in assists and the 2007 Patty Kazmaier Award winner has an impressive college resume to go along with multiple tours with the U.S. Women's National Team. She was part of the silver medal-winning 2002 Olympic team, notching four points in five games, and looks to have a bright future as a player on Team USA.

A new challenge Chu intends to meet head on will involve heading off the ice for the first time in her hockey career. Beginning this season, Chu will serve as an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Coaching helps fulfill a longtime dream for Chu and will keep her busy as she simultaneously prepares for Women's National Team events.

We sat down with Chu on a recent visit to Colorado Springs to talk about her future as a coach and player.

USA Hockey.com: What are your feelings about taking on the sport from a coach's perspective for the first time?

Chu: I'm just excited to be on the other side of things. Having both perspectives will help me grow as a player.

USAH: What from your playing career will you transfer to your coaching style?

Chu: I've gone through the whole experience of playing college hockey. It can be difficult to enjoy college life in the 'normal' experience so I can help my players adapt.

USAH: What from your playing days will you try to avoid in your coaching style?

Chu: Sometimes you have to let (the players) make mistakes...It's OK to let them make mistakes. Seeing how they react to mistakes is what counts.

USAH: How will you adapt to coaching and still competing as a Team USA member?

Chu: It will be a challenge compared to being in college and just being a student athlete. It will be a lot harder to find ice time...but I'll have the opportunity to be in the college atmosphere and with the team so I'll still get some ice time and training.

USAH: The UMD roster has quite the mix of players from all across the world, what is your outlook on that aspect of the team?

Chu: Now you've got a lot of international flavor and the cultures are melded together. I'm excited to learn and I'm going to pick their brains about life in their country.

USAH: Along those lines, some of your players will end up across the ice from you on the international stage (Such as Team Russia forward Iya Gavrilova), will that affect how you approach playing them or coaching?

Chu: When I'm with the UMD team my whole focus is on the UMD team. Hopefully we'll (Chu and opponents/players) will be able to teach each other a lot.

USAH: Moving into the coach's bench came pretty quickly for you. Was it something you were aiming toward as your college playing career wound down?

Chu: It was something I wanted to do for a while. I like interacting with players that 'get it.' Hopefully it all goes well and it's something I can do for many years.

USAH: Looking on to your still thriving National Team career, what does the U.S. Women's team need to do to succeed in the near future on the international stage?

Chu: We had a lot of turnover since the last Olympics. We definitely want to develop the younger players. I'm excited to see how the team is going to grow.


Wednesday, September 12, 2007

23 days until HOCKEY!


Yep, it's 23 days until the drop of the puck now!

In this post I am I am copying/pasting the roster from UMDBulldogs.com minus the players previous teams (for space allotment.)

1 Johanna Ellison G 5-8 Jr Cloquet, MN
3 Jocelyne Larocque D 5-6 FrWinnipeg, Manitoba
7 Jessica Hawkins F 5-5 Jr Orange, CA
8 Iya Gavrilova F 5-7 Fr Krasnoyarsk, Russia
9 Tawni Mattila F5-6 Jr Duluth, MN
10 Chantal Larocque F 5-4 Fr Winnipeg, Manitoba
12 Haley Irwin F 5-7 Fr Thunder Bay, ONT
13 Tara Gray D 5-10 Fr Toronto, ONT
14 Libby Guzzo F 5-7 Fr Silver Bay, MN
15 Erin Olson F 5-9Jr Elk River, MN
17 Samantha Hough F 5-7 Jr Marine on St. Croix, MN
19 Laura Fridfinnson F 5-8 Fr Arborg, Manitoba
21 Sara O'Toole F 5-5 Jr Burton, NB
22 Sarah Murray D 5-3 So Faribault, MN
23 Saara Tuominen F 5-6 So Ylojarvi, FINLAND
24 Amie Meyer G 5-8 Jr Deerwood, MN
26 Heidi Pelttari D 5-5 So Tampere, FINLAND
30 Kim Martin G 5-5 So Stockholm, SWEDEN
47 Emmanuelle Blais F 5-4 SoLasalle, QUE
48 Karine Demeule F 5-9 Sr Montreal, QUE
72 Elin Holmlov F 5-9 So Knivsta, SWEDEN
81 Myriam Trepanier D 5-8 Jr St-Michel-de-Bellechasse, QUE
88 Jaime Rasmussen D 5-8 SoGarden Grove, CA

Incidently there are 23 players ON the roster, which doesn't mean that much really just thought it was interesting with 23 days left I counted 23 players.

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Save *BIG* Money From GNC!!!


Occasionally I'll share great deals with people who happen to read this blog :)

The latest great deal is a Save 10% *AND* get Free Shipping from GNC.com!


Click that banner and take a look, the sale expires October 31st so check it out, especially if you can't get to, or don't have a GNC store near you!

OK, Back to the HOCKEY news, it's 31 days from the drop of the first puck!

Johanna Ellison Transfers to UMD!


This is a huge move for UMD, landing Johanna Ellison as a Junior transfer! Johanna gives UMD the SIZE in net that they've been used to in the past, even if she is 4 inches shorter than Riitta, with the same good side to side range. I hope she brings confidence with her after sorta getting the short end of the stick at BC (bringing in Schaus was might have worked out for BC but had obvious ramifications for Johanna.)

She brings a 7-3-2 career record for her 2 years at BC. This brings up an interesting Thanksgiving weekend series with Mankato if Paige Thunder cracks the starting lineup for the 'Mad Cows.'