ECAC Hockey League Well Represented on USA Women's Four Nations Cup Roster

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. --- Fifteen players have been named to represent the U.S. in the 2004 Four Nations Cup in Lake Placid, N.Y. in November, USA Hockey announced today. Of the 15 players named to the squad, six are current players or recent alumnae of ECAC Hockey League Teams. Leading the way for the ECACHL are Olympians Julie Chu (Harvard), Angela Ruggiero (Harvard) and Katie King (Brown). Joining this trio are Pam Dreyer (Brown), Tiffany Hagge (Dartmouth) and Liz Keady (Princeton).

The team will defend its 2003 gold medal in the competition against Canada, Sweden and Finland beginning on November 10. The final roster will have 21 players, with the remaining roster spots to be named Nov. 6.

The U.S. hosts the tournament for the third time in the history of the event, and the first time since 2000. Last year, the U.S. Women defeated Team Canada with a 12-round shootout win in the gold medal game.

"This year's Four Nations Cup is an exciting opportunity for our program," said Head Coach Ben Smith. "It gives us a chance not only to defend the title, but to do it on our home ice.

"This group of athletes represents players who have been in our system over the last two quadrennials and includes players who will be making their first appearances with the senior team," said Smith. "We hope that this combination will give us the experience and the energy to prevail."

Team USA opens the tournament against Finland in the first of three round-robin contests at the host site Lake Placid Olympic Center. Team USA and Team Canada will first meet on November 11th in the only off-site game, held at the University of Vermont. The tournament returns to Lake Placid for the medal games, slated for November 14.

2004 Women's Four Nations Cup Official Schedule

Nov. 10
4 p.m. Sweden vs. Canada Lake Placid Olympic Center
7:30 p.m. USA vs. Finland Lake Placid Olympic Center

Nov. 11
7 p.m. USA vs. Canada Univ. of Vt., Burlington, Vt.
7 p.m. Finland vs. Sweden Lake Placid Olympic Center

Nov. 13
1 p.m. Canada vs. Finland Lake Placid Olympic Center
4 p.m. USA vs. Sweden Lake Placid Olympic Center

Nov. 14
11:30 p.m. Bronze-Medal Game Lake Placid Olympic Center
2:30 p.m. Gold-Medal Game Lake Placid Olympic Center