BUFFALO, New York — Jincy Dunne (O’Fallon, Mo./St. Louis Jr. Blues) has been named captain of the U.S. Women’s National Under-18 Team for the 2015 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship. Grace Bizal (Minnetonka, Minn./Hopkins High School) and Sammy Davis (Pembroke, Mass./Tabor Academy) were named alternate captains. The team is currently in Buffalo, New York preparing for the tournament which starts on Jan. 5 at HARBORCENTER.

“I trust Jincy a lot,” said Joel Johnson, head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Under-18 Team. “And when you have as much skill as she does as an elite player, and you combine it with her leadership ability, sometimes it's just a natural fit.”

Dunne is participating in her third IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship and is serving as captain for the second consecutive tournament.

“All three players are able to connect with different segments of our team, and that’s an important aspect of a team,” Johnson said of his captains.

Both Bizal and Davis were members of the 2014 U.S. Women’s Under-18 Select Team.

For complete coverage of the U.S. Women’s National Under-18 Team and the 2015 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship, visit USAWomensHockey.com.