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WCHA Presence to be Felt at 2008 IIHF Women's World Championship in China

23 Players with Conference Ties to Compete April 4-12

April 4, 2008

Complete Release in PDF Format

MADISON, Wis. - The Western Collegiate Hockey Association will be well-represented at the 2008 International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championship, being held April 4-12, in Harbin, China.

Ohio State University head coach Jackie Barto and six current players from the WCHA represent Team USA while 12 current and former University of Minnesota Duluth players, one current Minnesota State University player, one former Ohio State University player, and three former University of Wisconsin players are represented on a total of five national teams.

Barto's Team USA included two current Minnesota players - forward Gigi Marvin and defenseman Rachael Drazan - along with former Golden Gopher Natalie Darwitz; four current Wisconsin players in Jessie Vetter, a goaltender, plus forwards Hilary Knight, Erika Lawler and Meghan Duggan and ex-Badgers Molly Engstrom, a forward and Kerry Weiland, a defenseman, and two former Minnesota Duluth players in forwards Jenny Potter and Jessica Koizumi. Minnesota Duluth assistant coach Julie Chu is Team USA's captain.

Five current Bulldogs are also competing in the World Championships. Kim Martin, the 2008 NCAA Frozen Four's Most Outstanding Player, is in goal for Team Sweden, where she is joined by forward Elin Holmlov and former UMD stars Maria Rooth and Erika Holst. Playing for Team Finland are two current Minnesota Duluth players in forward Saara Tuominen and defenseman Heidi Pelttari along with ex-Bulldog Nora Tallus, current Minnesota State player Nina Tikkinen, and former Ohio State player Emma Laaksonen. Playing for Team Russia is UMD forward Iya Gavrilova. Assistant coach and former Minnesota Duluth standout Caroline Ouellette is skating for defending champion Team Canada, along with former Wisconsin defenseman Carla MacLeod.

Fans can follow the action via USA Hockey's web site at www.usahockey.com and also via the IIHF web site at www.iihf.com.