USA Hockey today announced the 20-player roster for the 2008 U.S. Women’s National Team. The squad will compete in the 2008 International Ice Hockey Federation World Women's Championship from April 4-12, in Harbin, China.

The roster includes seven Olympians, 13 returnees from the 2007 U.S. Women's National Team and seven newcomers to world-championship competition.

“We are excited about the potential of the team,” said Jackie Barto, head coach of the 2008 U.S. Women’s National Team and also the head women's ice hockey coach at The Ohio State University. "This team combines experience with youthful enthusiasm and we feel like we've got the right mix headed into the world championship."

Three-time U.S. Olympians Jenny Potter (Edina, Minn./Minnesota Whitecaps) and Angela Ruggiero (Harper Woods, Mich./Minnesota Whitecaps), along with two-time Olympians Julie Chu (Fairfield, Conn./Minnesota Whitecaps) and Natalie Darwitz (Eagan, Minn./Minnesota Whitecaps) highlight the U.S. roster. The other three Olympians include defensemen Caitlin Cahow (Branford, Conn./Harvard University) and Molly Engstrom (Siren, Wis./Brampton-Canadette Thunder), along with forward Sarah Parsons (Dover, Mass./Dartmouth College).

In addition to the seven Olympians, six others competed in last year's world championship, including forwards Meghan Duggan (Danvers, Mass./University of Wisconsin), Hilary Knight (Hanover, N.H./University of Wisconsin), Erika Lawler (Fitchburg, Mass./University of Wisconsin) and Gigi Marvin (Warroad, Minn./University of Minnesota); defenseman Kerry Weiland (Palmer, Alaska/Vaughan Flames); and goaltender Jessie Vetter (Cottage Grove, Wis/University of Wisconsin.).

Of the seven newcomers, defensemen Kacey Bellamy (Westfield, Mass./University of New Hampshire) and Rachael Drazan (Orono, Minn./University of Minnesota) have experience at the Four Nations Cup, while two of the four forwards - Jessica Koizumi (Simi Valley, Calif./Minnesota Whitecaps) and Karen Thatcher (Douglas, Mass./Vaughan Flames) - have also competed in the Four Nations Cup. The remaining two forwards - Sam Faber (Mt. Sinai, N.Y./University of New Hampshire) and Kelli Stack (Brooklyn Heights, Ohio/Boston College) - and the other goaltender - Molly Schaus (Natick, Mass./Boston College) - have played for the United States at the Under-22 level.

Team USA will open competition in the 2008 IIHF World Women's Championship on Friday, April 4, against Germany.

NOTES: A teleconference to discuss the roster and preview the IIHF World Women’s Championship will take place today (March 28) at 2 p.m. EDT. Media members wishing to participate may call-in from North America at 866-861-4859 and from international locations at 703-639-1457 ... USA Hockey is currently holding a training camp for the U.S. Women’s National Team in Colorado Springs, Colo., at the U.S. Air Force Academy and Olympic Training Center ... All Team USA games will be videocast live via usahockey.com... Members of the U.S. Women's National Team have participated in a combined 13 Olympic Winter Games and 36 IIHF World Women's Championships ... Twelve of the players on the roster played NCAA Division I hockey during the 2007-08 season, while eight played in either the Western Women’s Hockey League or the Canadian Women's Hockey League … Team USA has won one goal medal and nine silver medals in the 10 previous IIHF World Women’s Championships … Joining Jackie Barto on the coaching staff as assistant coaches are Paul Flanagan, head women’s ice hockey coach at St. Lawrence University, and Kevin Houle, head women’s ice hockey coach at SUNY-Plattsburgh. Dave Flint, head women's ice hockey coach at Saint Anselm College, is serving as the goaltending coach.

Team USA 2008 IIHF World Women’s Championship Schedule
April 4-12 • Harbin, China • Baqu Arena

Date	Opponent	Time (Local/EDT)
Fri., April 4	Germany	3:30 p.m./3:30 a.m.
Sun., April 6	Switzerland	3:30 p.m./3:30 a.m.
Tues., April 8	Qualifying Round	TBA
Thurs., April 10	Qualifying Round	TBA
Sun., April 12	Bronze-Medal Game	3:30 p.m./3:30 a.m.
	Gold-Medal Game	7 p.m./7 a.m.