Moon Township, Pa. ? Senior Brianne McLaughlin (Sheffield Village, Ohio / Ohio Flames) of the Robert Morris University women's ice hockey team has been selected to participate in the USA Hockey Women's Under-22 Camp, set to take place in Lake Placid, N.Y. from June 24 ? July 1.
McLaughlin, along with 33 other players, will be competing for one of 22 spots on the 2008 U.S. Women's Under-22 Select Team, which will participate in the USA Hockey Women's National Festival in August, as well as compete against Canada in the Under-22 Series.
“[Brianne's] selection to the Under-22 National Camp is a direct result of her hard work on and off the ice,” said head coach Nate Handrahan. “She deserves to be recognized with the nation's top goaltenders.”
Joining McLaughlin in search of one of the two goaltender spots on the Select Team are Molly Schaus of Boston College, Jackee Snikeris of Yale University and Allyse Wilcox of Boston University. All three net-minders are new to the Select Team with the minor exception of Schaus, who won a gold medal with the U.S. Women's National Team at the 2008 International Ice Hockey Federation World Women's Championship.
“When you're considered to participate at the Under-22 camp, it means you have a great deal of talent,” added Handrahan. “Our entire coaching staff and team couldn't be any prouder of what [Brianne] has accomplished.”
McLaughlin played a major role in the success of the RMU women's ice hockey team this past season. The Sheffield Village, Ohio native compiled a record of 9-22-1 while playing 1873:22 over the span of 32 games. She finished the year ranked 27th overall in women's Division I ice hockey with a 2.81 goals against average and tied for 15th with a .913 save percentage. For her exceptional play, McLaughlin was awarded a spot on the All-College Hockey America First Team and was a nominee for the Patty Kazmaier Award, an honor that is bestowed upon the top collegiate female hockey player.
USA Hockey is the National Governing Body for the sport of ice hockey in the United States. Its mission is to promote the growth of hockey in America and provide the best possible experience for all participants by encouraging, developing, advancing and administering the sport. USA Hockey is the official representative to the United States Olympic Committee and the International Ice Hockey Federation. In this role, USA Hockey is responsible for organizing and training men's and women's teams for international tournaments, including the IIHF World Championships and the Olympic Winter Games.
