University of Minnesota Athletics

Olympic Hopefuls Update: Dec. 22

12/22/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey

Dec. 22, 2017

MINNEAPOLIS -- Nine Golden Gophers remain in contention to compete in the 2018 Winter Olympic Games as seven are centralized with the U.S. Women's National Team and two alumnae are expected to represent Finland in Pyeongchang, South Korea next February.

Junior Sarah Potomak and future Gopher Amy Potomak began the season training full-time with Canada's National Women's Team, but both have been released from the team as Canada announced its final Olympic roster on Friday.

Each week, GopherSports.com will look at the recent competitions, appearances, and activities for the Gopher Olympic hopefuls with their respective countries.

Pre-Olympic competition for the U.S., Canada, and Finland included the 2017 Four Nations Cup in November in Tampa, Fla., and a six-game exhibition series between Canada's National Women's Team and the U.S. Women's National Team.

U.S. Women's National Team Update

University of Minnesota senior Kelly Pannek joins six Gopher alumnae in residency with the U.S. Women's National Team: Megan Bozek ('13), Hannah Brandt ('16), Dani Cameranesi ('17), Amanda Kessel ('16), Gigi Marvin ('09), and Lee Stecklein ('17).

The team is centralized in the Tampa suburb of Wesley Chapel as players train at Florida Hospital Center Ice in preparation for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. The U.S. Women's National Team's pre-Olympic tour, The Time is Now Tour presented by Toyota, includes a series of games this fall and winter.

The U.S. is set to announce its final Olympic roster on New Year's Day at the NHL Winter Classic.

Canada's National Women's Team Update

The journey to the 2018 Winter Olympic Games has come to a close for University of Minnesota junior Sarah Potomak and future Gopher Amy Potomak. Both began the season training full-time with Canada's National Women's Team but were released from the team as Canada announced its final Olympic roster on Friday.

Finland Women's National Team Update

University of Minnesota alumnae Noora Raty ('13) and Mira Jalosuo ('13) are expected to represent their native Finland in the upcoming Olympic Games. Raty is spending the 2017-18 season playing with the CWHL's Kunlun Red Star.

Game 5: Canada 3, U.S. 1 (San Jose, Calif.)

The U.S. and Canada faced off in game five of their six-game exhibition series in San Jose, Calif., where Canada rallied for a 3-1 win. All seven Gophers were in the lineup for the U.S.; Sarah Potomak picked up an assist for Canada as well.

Game 6: Canada 2, U.S. 1, OT (Edmonton)

The final exhibition game between the U.S. and Canada saw Canada skate away with a 2-1 overtime win in Edmonton, Alberta. All seven Gophers were in the lineup for the U.S.; Sarah Potomak was in the lineup for Canada as well.

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Players Mentioned

Megan Bozek

D
/ Women's Hockey

Hannah Brandt

F
/ Women's Hockey

Dani Cameranesi

F
/ Women's Hockey

Mira Jalosuo

D
/ Women's Hockey

Amanda Kessel

F
/ Women's Hockey

Kelly Pannek

F
/ Women's Hockey

Amy Potomak

F
/ Women's Hockey

Sarah Potomak

F
/ Women's Hockey

Noora Raty

G
/ Women's Hockey

Lee Stecklein

D
/ Women's Hockey

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