National Sports Center | Blaine, Minnesota

Among this year's attendees are 21 of the 23 members of the U.S. Women's National Team that captured the silver medal at the 2012 IIHF Women's World Championship. In addition, 14 of the players were on the 2010 U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team that trained at the Schwan Super Rink for the year leading up to the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games (complete list below.) The Olympic veterans returning to the NSC include four-time Olympian Jenny Potter (Edina, Minn.) and former Gopher star Gigi Marvin (Warroad, Minn.)

Among the players invited to compete for roster spots on the USA U18 team are 11 players with ties to Minnesota.

Twenty-four players have ties to Minnesota, either by hometown or the high school/college team they play for (list below.)

The Festival participants will be divided into teams for daily practices and games. All practices and games are free and open to the public.

2012 Women’s National Festival Schedule (practices and games will be held at Schwan Super Rink, rinks 5 and 6)

Sun., Aug. 5: Goaltender Practice, 4:15 p.m.

Mon., Aug. 6: Goaltender Practice, 9:15 a.m. and 4:15 p.m.

Tues., Aug. 7: Practice sessions at 3, 4, 5, and 6 p.m.

Wed., Aug. 8: Morning skating sessions at 9 and 10 a.m., White Team vs. Red Team at 4 p.m. and U18 Team and Blue Team practices at 7 p.m.

Thurs., Aug. 9: Practice sessions at 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Fri., Aug. 10: Morning skating sessions at 8:30 and 10 a.m.. U18 Team intrasquad scrimmage at 5:25 p.m., Blue Team vs. White Team at 7 p.m.

Sat., Aug. 11: Morning skating sessions at 8:30, 9 and 10 a.m., U18 Team intrasquad scrimmage at 5:25 p.m., Blue Team vs. Red Team at 7 p.m.

Sun., Aug. 12: Rosters get restructured. Practice sessions at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Mon., Aug. 13: Morning skating sessions at 9 and 10 a.m.. U 18 vs Team 1 at 4 p.m. and Team 2 vs Team 3 at 7 p.m.

Tues., Aug. 14: No ice sessions.

Wed., Aug. 15: USA U18 Team practices at 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Canada U18 Team practice at 10:45 a.m.

Thurs., Aug. 16: Canada and USA U18 team morning skates at 9 and 10 a.m., USA vs Canada U18 series game 1, Schwan Super Rink #5, 7:00 p.m.

Fri., Aug. 17: Canada and USA U18 team morning skates at 9 and 10 a.m., USA vs Canada U18 series game 2, Schwan Super Rink #5, 7:00 p.m.

Sat., Aug. 18: Canada U18 Team practice at 9:30 a.m., USA U18 Team practice at 3 p.m.

Sun., Aug. 19: USA vs Canada U18 series game 3, Schwan Super Rink #5, 10:00 a.m.

Players and staff with Minnesota ties, either through hometown or most-recent team:

Over 18 Roster (total of 51 players on the O18 roster:)
Rachel Bona, F, Coon Rapids, Minn., plays for the University of Minnesota.
Megan Bozek, D, Buffalo Grove, Ill., plays for the University of Minnesota.
Hannah Brandt, F, Vadnais Heights, Minn., plays for the University of Minnesota.
Sarah Erickson, F, Roseau, Minn., played for the University of Minnesota.
Gigi Marvin, D, Warroad, Minn., played for the University of Minnesota.
Milica McMillen, D, St. Paul, Minn., plays for the University of Minnesota.
Whitney Naslund, F, Bloomington, Minn.
Jenny Potter, F, Edina, Minn., currently lives in Coon Rapids, Minn.
Rachel Ramsey, D, Chanhassen, Minn., plays for the University of Minnesota.
Anne Schleper, D, St. Cloud, Minn., played for the University of Minnesota.
Lee Stecklein, D, Roseville, Minn., plays for the University of Minnesota.
Erika Wheelhouse, D, Crookston, Minn., plays for Bemidji State University.

Under 18 Roster (total of 28 players on the U18 roster:)
Sydney Baldwin, D, Shorewood, Minn., plays for Minnetonka High School.
McKenna Brand, F, Nevis, Minn. plays for North American Hockey Academy, Stowe, Vt.
Dani Cameranesi, F, Plymouth, Minn., plays for the Blake School.
Amy Menke, F, Shakopee, Minn., plays for Shakopee High School.
Sidney Morin, D, Chanhassen, Minn., plays for Minnetonka High School.
Maliya, Rodgers, F, Minnetonka, Minn., plays for Minnetonka Junior Whitecaps.
Sydney Rossman, G, Excelsior, Minn., plays for Minnetonka High School.
Melissa Samoskevich, D, Sandy Hook, Conn., plays for Shattuck-St. Mary’s School.
Kate Schipper, F, Brooklyn Park, Minn., plays for the Breck School.
Christine Vetter, F, Lakeville, Minn., plays for Lakeville High School.
Taylor Williamson, F, Edina, Minn., plays for Edina High School.
Megan Wolfe, F, Eagan, Minn., plays for Eagan High School.

USA Hockey Team Staff with Minnesota ties:
Brett Hedican, St. Paul, Minn.; Laura Halldorson, Minneapolis, Minn.; Brett Strot, Maple Grove, Minn.; Joel Johnson, White Bear Lake, Minn.; Robb Stauber, Duluth, Minn.; all are assistant coaches of the O18 teams.
Steve Guider, Blaine, Minn., is an assistant coach of the U18 team.
Brent Proulx, St. Paul, Minn., is equipment manager.
Travis Green, St. Paul, Minn., is head trainer.

Returning members of the 2010 U.S. Olympic Team that trained at the Schwan Super Rink in 2009-2010 who will be playing in the Women’s National Festival:
Kacey Bellamy, Westfield, Mass.; Lisa Chesson, Plainsfield, Ill.; Julie Chu, Fairfield, Conn.; Molly Engstrom, Siren, Wis.; Jocelyne Lamoureaux, Grand Forks, N.D.; Monique Lamoureaux-Kolls, Grand Forks, N.D.; Gigi Marvin, Warroad, Minn.; Briane McLaughlin, Sheffield Village, Ohio; Jenny Potter, Edina, Minn.; Molly Schaus, Natick, Mass.; Kelli Stack, Brooklyn Heights, Ohio; Karen Thatcher, Blaine, Wash.; Jessie Vetter, Cottage Grove, Wis.

More information on the Festival, including a complete player roster is at:

http://www.usahockey.com/National_Festival.aspx