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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.
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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. :)
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.'
Emmanuelle Blais is taking part in the Canadian U22 (Under-22 yrs old) 3 game series against Team USA's U22 at Lake Placid Thursday Friday and Sunday. I can't find a Team USA roster yet, but probably will be able to find one online Thursday if not before the first game after it.
Continuing my countdown to the UMD season opener in St. Cloud, it's 50 days until the drop of the puck on the 07-08 hockey season!
ESPN.COM Reports:
Minnesota women's hockey coach resigns with three titles
MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota women's hockey coach Laura Halldorson is leaving after guiding the Golden Gophers to three national titles in 11 years.
Assistant Brad Frost will be the interim coach next season, with a search for a permanent coach coming after the season, athletic director Joel Maturi said Friday.
"Laura put Minnesota women's hockey on the map,'' Maturi said. "She started with a blank slate and built a national championship program.''
Halldorson was hired in 1996 and was the only coach of the Gophers' women's hockey team. The school said she had been considering this move for some time because of the demands.
"This job has been extremely time consuming, and now it will be nice to have more time to spend with family and friends,'' Halldorson said.
Minnesota won titles in 2000, 2004 and 2005. She was two years into a three-year contract extension awarded after the 2005 championship.
The Gophers lost to Wisconsin 3-0 in the NCAA women's championship in 2006. They finished last season 23-12-1.
Halldorson previously coached seven years at Colby College. Her overall record is 337-142-31. After 10 seasons at Minnesota -- the Gophers didn't play in 1996 -- she was 278-67-22.
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Gophersports.com article WITH a Halldorson statement.
The 07-08 roster has been released, I'm posting it without the hometowns because of space requirements in the blog... Click the blog title to go view it with their hometowns
1 Lana Steck G 5-6 Fr
3 Jocelyne Larocque D 5-6 Fr
7 Jessica Hawkins F 5-5 Jr
9 Tawni Mattila F 5-6 Jr
10 Chantal Larocque F 5-4 Fr
12 Haley Irwin F Fr
13 Tara Gray D Fr
14 Libby Guzzo F 5-7 Fr
15 Erin Olson F 5-9 Jr
17 Samantha Hough F 5-7 Jr
19 Laura Fridfinnson F 5-8 Fr
21 Sara O'Toole F 5-5 Jr
22 Sarah Murray D 5-3 So
23 Saara Tuominen F 5-6 So
24 Amie Meyer G 5-8 Jr
26 Heidi Pelttari D 5-5 So
30 Kim Martin G 5-5 So
47 Emmanuelle Blais F 5-4 So
48 Karine Demeule F 5-9 Sr
72 Elin Holmlov F 5-9 So
81 Myriam Trepanier D 5-8 Jr
88 Jaime Rasmussen D 5-8 So
Now that we're within 2 months of the first game of the season, I figured it's not too early to start a countdown to October 5/6 opening series in St. Cloud. Go Dogs!
Click the link for the UMDBulldogs.com website.
Oct 5 St. Cloud State* St. Cloud, MN 7:07 p.m.
Oct 6 St. Cloud State* St. Cloud, MN 7:07 p.m.
Oct 13 Bemidji State * Duluth, MN 3:37 p.m.
Oct 14 Bemidji State * Duluth, MN 3:07 p.m.
Oct 20 Mercyhurst Duluth, MN 3:37 p.m.
Oct 21 Mercyhurst Duluth, MN 3:07 p.m.
Oct 26 Minnesota* Minneapolis, MN 6:07 p.m.
Oct 27 Minnesota* Minneapolis, MN 3:07 p.m.
Nov 3 North Dakota* Grand Forks, ND 2:07 p.m.
Nov 4 North Dakota* Grand Forks, ND 2:07 p.m.
Nov 17 Minnesota* Duluth, MN 3:37 p.m.
Nov 18 Minnesota* Duluth, MN 3:07 p.m.
Nov 23 MSU-Mankato* Duluth, MN 7:07 p.m.
Nov 24 MSU-Mankato* Duluth, MN 7:07 p.m.
Nov 30 Wisconsin* Madison, WI 2:07 p.m.
Dec 1 Wisconsin* Madison, WI 2:07 p.m.
Dec 8 Ohio State* Duluth, MN 3:37 p.m.
Dec 9 Ohio State* Duluth, MN 3:07 p.m.
Dec 14 St. Lawrence Canton, NY 6:00 p.m.
Dec 15 St. Lawrence Canton, NY 6:00 p.m.
Jan 11 MSU-Mankato* Mankato, MN 7:07 p.m.
Jan 12 MSU-Mankato* Mankato, MN 7:07 p.m.
Jan 18 Bemidji State* Bemidji, MN 7:07 p.m.
Jan 19 Bemidji State* Bemidji, MN 2:07 p.m.
Jan 25 North Dakota* Duluth, MN 7:07 p.m.
Jan 26 North Dakota* Duluth, MN 7:07 p.m.
Feb 1 Ohio State* Columbus, OH 6:07 p.m.
Feb 2 Ohio State* Columbus, OH 3:07 p.m.
Feb 8 Wisconsin * Duluth, MN 7:07 p.m.
Feb 9 Wisconsin* Duluth, MN 7:07 p.m.
Feb 23 St. Cloud State* Duluth, MN 3:07 p.m.
Feb 24 St. Cloud State* (Senior Day) Duluth, MN 3:07 p.m.
Feb 29 WCHA Playoffs (First Round) TBA 3:07 p.m.
Mar 1 WCHA Playoffs (First Round) TBA 3:07 p.m.
Mar 2 WCHA Playoffs (First Round) TBA 3:07 p.m.
Mar 8 WCHA Playoff Championships Duluth, MN TBA
Mar 9 WCHA Playoff Championships Duluth, MN TBA
Mar 15 NCAA Regional TBA 3:07 p.m.
Mar 20 NCAA Frozen Four Duluth, MN TBA
Mar 22 NCAA Frozen Four Duluth, MN TBA
Kevin Pates Duluth News Tribune
Published Thursday, June 28, 2007
Julie Chu’s playing credentials are impeccable.
Now she’s going to add coaching to her resume.
The former Harvard hockey star and two-time Olympic medalist became an assistant coach with the Minnesota Duluth women’s program this week. She begins work Aug. 27.
Chu, 25, played four years at Harvard through 2006-07 and was named the 2007 Patty Kazmaier Award winner as the top player in Division I. She replaces Joakim Flygh, who, coincidentally, accepted an assistant coach position with Harvard.
“After graduating [June 7] I was looking at options and trying to decide what to do and where to go. Luckily the job at UMD opened up,’’ Chu said by phone Wednesday. “Coaching is something I’d like to get into and UMD fit the mold of what I’m looking for right now. It has a great hockey tradition.
“I will be able to get some great coaching experience and, at the same time, I’m going to continue to train to play at the national level. My goal is to play in the 2010 Winter Olympics.’’
Caroline Ouellette moves up to the No. 1 UMD assistant under head coach Shannon Miller, while Chu is No. 2.
Chu, a center from Fairfield, Conn., had 66 points in 30 games in 2006-07 as Harvard went 23-8-2 and lost to eventual Division I champion Wisconsin 1-0 in four overtimes in the NCAA quarterfinals in Madison. She finished third in school career scoring with 88 goals and 196 assists for 284 points in 129 games, and played on U.S. Olympic teams in 2002 (silver medal) and 2006 (bronze).
“Julie will be a fantastic role model for our players,’’ said Miller, working at a hockey camp this week in Steamboat Springs, Colo. “Like Caroline [Ouellette], she’s a high-performance athlete who knows how to be successful.’’
Miller said there were approximately 12 candidates for UMD’s assistant coaching job and Chu accepted the position Monday after a three-week search process.
Chu’s off-ice duties will include mentoring and team-building with UMD’s players, and assisting strength and conditioning coach Justin May, Miller said. On ice, she’ll provide individual player feedback. She earned a degree in psychology and was named Harvard’s 2007 woman athlete of the year.
In addition to coaching, Chu says she hopes to play part-time with the Minnesota Whitecaps of the Western Women’s Hockey League, and for the U.S. in the 2007 Four Nations Cup (Nov. 7-11 in Leksand, Sweden) and the 2008 World Championships (April 4-13 in Harbin, China.) She also plans to train with Ouellette, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a candidate for the 2010 Canadian Olympic team.
Notes
* Flygh, 29, assisted with the Bulldogs for three seasons and was hired at Harvard as an assistant under coach Katey Stone. Melanie Ruzzi, formerly an assistant at Amherst (Mass.) College, also was hired as a Harvard assistant this week.
The Bulldogs were 72-26-9 during Flygh’s tenure, including a 2007 Division I second-place finish. The native of Tyringe, Sweden, played four seasons as a defenseman at New England College.
Former Harvard assistant Claudia Asano was named head women’s coach at Union College of Schenectady, N.Y., in April. Former UMD player Michelle McAteer, a Harvard assistant in 2006-07, might join Asano at Union, Miller said.
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If you want to find new posts made on this blog.. click on SUBSCRIBE under any post and it will create what is called a LIVE BOOKMARK. You put your mouse over the bookmark and it shows you recent blog entry titles. That way you don't have to actually LOAD the blog, or you can go backwards a bit and check something you might have missed also!
There's people checking out this blog every day so it definitely is something I'll keep up with, the past season was a start.
from Northland Newscenter website (click title to go there):
May 22, 2007 - Posted 8:52 a.m., DULUTH - For the second straight year, there is no funding for the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center expansion.
While lawmakers did finish all their must pass–bills, the House did not pass the bonding bill because time ran out thanks to long debates on other bills.
Lawmakers rushed through bills providing billions of dollars for public schools, nursing homes and state colleges, with the goal of passing an on–time budget.
But, House members did not override the governor's veto of an increase in the gas tax.
The Republican governor reserves the right to use his veto power to slim down the budget, since he did not have final approval.
If he decides to scuttle an entire bill, it would force a special session.
In the Senate, Democrats and Republicans offered each other compliments and stood in unison to applaud the end of session.
This is getting stupid.. people should already have figured out that Pawlenty doesn't know anything about the area north of Hinckley.
While fishing season only starts this Saturday
The 07-08 Women's Hockey SCHEDULE is out!
The schedule features Mercyhurst the 3rd week of the season IN DULUTH! and St. Lawrence AT St. Lawrence in the middle of December. I hate to see Harvard off the schedule but having Mercyhurst AND St. Lawrence on it is great for UMD hockey.
They'll get to see early how they look, then in December they'll know where they're at going into Winter Break.
The Gopher series are close together which is weird. The Ridder Arena series is October 26/27 while the DECC series is only 3 weeks later November 17th/18th.
The upcoming season will be a little different in that.. there are a *LOT* more Saturday doubleheaders than I can remember in the past. Just glimpsing at a copy of the men's schedule I have... I believe there are 5 Saturday doubleheaders this season.
Once again, by the way, the women's WCHA tourney starts the Feb 29th and if UMD has a home seed will probably end up at Mars again, the Men have North Dakota at home those nights. It should be the only series that will end up outside of the DECC this year.
You can go view the complete schedule by clicking on the blog title. I'm sure I'll post it on this blog in September when everyone's hockey blood is beginning to stir!
