Gophers hockey well represented at Sochi Olympics next month
By Steve Pesek
Jan 1, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Members of the U.S. Olympic women
The Maroon and Gold are going to be well represented on the international stage next month.
The U.S. Olympic committee announced the 21-member women’s hockey roster and the 25-member men’s hockey roster at the Winter Classic on Wednesday, naming several former and current Gophers.
In total, three former Gopher men’s players were selected and five Gopher women were chosen to represent Team U.S.A. in February at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
On the men’s side, Phil Kessel (Madison, Wis.), Paul Martin (Elk River), and Blake Wheeler (Robbinsdale). As for the women, current Gophers Amanda Kessel (Madison) and Lee Stecklein (Roseville) will join past players Megan Bozek (Buffalo Grove, Ill.), Gigi Marvin (Warroad), and Anne Schleper (St. Cloud).
Also announced: Phil Kessel and his sister, Amanda, will have their family featured as part of NBC’s coverage of the games.
In addition to the trio of Gophers on the men’s team, there are six others native Minnesotans joining them for the games: David Backes (Minneapolis), Justin Faulk (South St. Paul), Ryan McDonagh (St. Paul), T.J. Oshie (Warroad), Zach Parise (Minneapolis), and Derek Stepan (Hastings).
Aside from representatives for Team U.S.A., several other Gophers will be competing in the Sochi Olympics for other countries: Mira Jalosuo and Noora Raty will represent Team Finland and Thomas Vanek will play for Team Austria.