University of Minnesota Athletics
Three Golden Gophers Make the U.S. National Team Roster
2/4/2004 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
The U.S. roster includes 11 Olympians, including Darwitz and Wendell. The U.S. National Team also features 16 of the 20 players that competed with the 2003 U.S. Select Team, which won a gold medal at the 2003 Four Nations Cup in Skvde, Sweden. The Minnesota trio was also a member of USA Hockey's gold-medal team.
Darwitz had a stellar first half of the season, scoring 41 points in 16 games played before an elbow injury sidelined her for the rest of the 2003-04 campaign. At the time of her departure, Darwitz led the nation in scoring averaging 2.56 points per game. She also ranked first in the country in assist scoring (1.62 assists per game) and fifth in goal scoring (0.94 gpg). Darwitz, a 2003 first-team All-American and Patty Kazmaier finalist, became the fastest Golden Gopher to reach 100 career points when she posted the century mark in just 46 games.
Stephens ranks third on the team in scoring this season with 11 goals and 27 assists for 38 points. Stephens, a junior forward, has tallied 53 goals and 63 assists for 116 points. In 22 games played this season, Stephens holds the best plus/minus rating of the team, set at +32. She is tied for first in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association in assist scoring, while ranking second in the nation averaging 1.23 assists per game. Stephens was a two-time member of USA's Under-22 Team and the U.S. Select Team that competed at the Four Nations Cup.
In 22 games played for the Maroon and Gold, Wendell leads the team with 19 goals and 25 assists for 44 points. With a .200 shooting percentage, Wendell has the team lead in goals scored. Her 19 goals ranks second in the WCHA and fifth in the nation. Wendell also is tied for the top spot in the league in points, while ranking third in the country. Wendell, a 2003 second-team All-American and Patty Kazmaier finalist, currently has a 13-game scoring streak. In her last six games, Wendell has produced 17 points.
Date, Time (EST Match-Up Location
March 30, 4:00 p.m., Switzerland vs. USA, Halifax
April 1 4:00 p.m., USA vs. Russia, Halifax
April 3 TBD, Qualification Round, TBD
April 5 TBD, Qualification Round, TBD
April 6 4:00 p.m., Bronze-Medal Game, Halifax
April 6 8:00 p.m., Gold-Medal Game, Halifax
