LAKE PLACID, NY -- Union College women's ice hockey head coach Claudia Asano recently served on the coaching staff for the USA Hockey Player Development Camps. In addition, Asano's assistant, Ali Boe, will coach in the Girls' Select 15 camp, sponsored by USA Hockey, in Rochester, NY.  

Asano coached the Girls' Select 17 camp, held at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, NY, June 25 through July 1. The camps help develop players in the USA for their future careers in club hockey, scholastic, collegiate and national teams, and features the best "U-17" (under age 17) players in the nation.  

A total of 10 collegiate coaches were selected, as well as national players. The camp decides what players will be selected for the U-18 team that will play in a world tournament in January of 2009.  

"Working the U-17 camp is a tremendous honor," said Asano, who completed her first season as the head coach at Union. "It is a great experience to work at the Lake Placid training center and to help train the future players of USA Hockey."  

Boe will serve on the coaching staff of the U-15 festival in Rochester, NY, July 26 through August 1. This will feature the best 15 and under players in the country, and also assists in developing skills for the U-15 players. Boe was one of 10 coaches selected for this camp.  

"I have been looking forward to this week all summer," said Boe, who completed her first season as an assistant on Asano's Union staff. "Working for my country is something that I am proud of, and I hope to train the U-15 players to become better in the sport."  

The Dutchwomen return 12 letterwinners from last season and open the 2008-09 season with a seven-game homestand at Messa Rink on September 27. Union will host the Toronto Junior Aeros for a 12 p.m. exhibition game.