A press conference well be held on the eve of Hockey Weekend Across America at which the site of the 2017 IIHF Women's World Championship will be revealed and Dave Ogrean will give State of USA Hockey remarks. In addition, an update on the progress of renovations at USA Hockey Arena will be provided.

WHEN: Thursday, February 18, 2016 - 2:00 p.m. ET

WHERE: USA Hockey Arena - Plymouth, Michigan

ANTICIPATED PARTICIPANTS:

• Jim Smith, president, USA Hockey
• Dave Ogrean, executive director, USA Hockey
• Reagan Carey, director, women's hockey, USA Hockey
• Shannon Price, Plymouth Township supervisor
• Jim Johannson, asst. executive director of hockey operations, USA Hockey

NOTES: The press conference will be streamed live at USAHockey.com. Media and fans will have the chance to ask questions by tweeting to @usahockey and using the hashtag #AskUSAH ... The 9th annual Hockey Weekend Across America will take place across the country Friday-Sunday (Feb. 19-21). The three-day celebration was created by USA Hockey to engage the entire hockey community in celebrating the game at all levels and also to provide an opportunity to expose the sport to new audiences ... The U.S. has hosted the IIHF Women's World Championship on three previous occasions, including 2012 (Burlington, Vermont), 2001 (Minneapolis) and 1994 (Lake Placid, New York). Team USA, which has captured five of the last six gold medals awarded in the IIHF Women's World Championship, has never before won gold on home ice.