USA Hockey names 25-player roster for final leg of Rivalry Series
USA Hockey announced its 25-player roster for the last three games of the 2023-24 Rivalry Series on Thursday.
The American squad has a 3-1 series lead over Canada entering the final slate. The two teams clash on Feb. 7, 9, and 11 in Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan, and Saint Paul, Minnesota.
The U.S. roster features players exclusively from the PWHL. Collegiate stars and national team mainstays including Caroline Harvey, Cayla Barnes, and Hannah Bilka won't feature.
Here is the full team:
Forwards
| Name | PWHL Team |
|---|---|
| Alex Carpenter | New York |
| Jesse Compher | Toronto |
| Kendall Coyne Schofield | Minnesota |
| Clair DeGeorge | Minnesota |
| Brittyn Fleming | Minnesota |
| Becca Gilmore | Ottawa |
| Taylor Girard | Boston |
| Taylor Heise | Minnesota |
| Gabbie Hughes | Ottawa |
| Hilary Knight | Boston |
| Maureen Murphy | Montreal |
| Kelly Pannek | Minnesota |
| Abby Roque | New York |
| Hayley Scamurra | Ottawa |
| Grace Zumwinkle | Minnesota |
Kendall Coyne Schofield headlines the group of 15 forwards following her return from maternity leave. The 31-year-old last played internationally in December 2022. Minnesota's captain has one goal in six games this season.
PWHL leading scorer Alex Carpenter will star for the American team. The 29-year-old has eight points in six contests with New York. She also leads the Rivalry Series with three goals through four games.
Taylor Girard and Brittyn Fleming are set to make their national team debuts, while previous Team USA members Jesse Compher, Clair DeGeorge, and Maureen Murphy are back for their first Rivalry Series action of 2023-24.
Defenders
| Name | PWHL Team |
|---|---|
| Madison Bizal | Montreal |
| Emily Brown | Boston |
| Natalie Buchbinder | Minnesota |
| Maggie Flaherty | Minnesota |
| Kali Flanagan | Toronto |
| Savannah Harmon | Ottawa |
| Megan Keller | Boston |
Team USA's choice to bring only PWHL players caused a notable shakeup on the blue line. Only two defenders - Savannah Harmon and Megan Keller - return from the previous two Rivalry Series games.
Emily Brown and 2018 Olympian Kali Flanagan are set for their 2023-24 Rivalry Series debuts. Minnesota natives Madison Bizal and Maggie Flaherty are in line for their first games with the national team.
Bizal was declared cancer-free in September after being diagnosed with a type of Hodgkin's lymphoma in November 2020. She played three seasons at Ohio State after the diagnosis and has played four games with PWHL Montreal this season, her first since ringing the cancer-free bell.
Goaltenders
| Name | Team |
|---|---|
| Aerin Frankel | Boston |
| Nicole Hensley | Minnesota |
| Abbey Levy | New York |
Team USA sticks with what has worked in the crease. The trio of Aerin Frankel, Nicole Hensley, and Abbey Levy has been the Americans' go-to since the 2023 World Championship.
Hensley paces the three netminders with a .941 save percentage in four starts with Minnesota. Frankel sports a .925 SV% in four games and is coming off a stellar 37-save win against Ottawa on Wednesday. Levy has a .910 SV% in two contests with New York.