Women’s Hockey: Pelkey Named to U.S. National Team for 2016 Women’s World Championship

Posted on , updated on by George Commo

Courtesy Vermont Sports Information

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Former UVM captain Amanda Pelkey has been named to the U.S. Women’s National Team that will compete in the 2016 IIHF Women’s World Championship March 28-April 4, in Kamloops, British Columbia.

Pelkey will be the first Vermonter and fourth Catamount to represent her country at the Women’s World Championship.

“Amanda has focused on this goal since her UVM career ended a year ago and by all accounts she is playing the best hockey of her career right now so it’s a credit to her that she has earned this opportunity,” said head coach Jim Plumer.  “We all wish her the best and can’t wait to see her compete at the World Championships in Kamloops this year and hopefully continue to wear the USA jersey as this Olympic cycle progresses towards 2018.”

Pelkey has competed with the senior national team at the 2014 and 2015 Four Nations Cup. In 2014 Pelkey made her senior team debut in Kamloops, earning a silver medal after an overtime loss to Canada in the gold medal game.

This fall Pelkey won gold with the U.S. in Sundsvall, Sweden as the Americans went undefeated in four games. Pelkey notched her first career point with the senior national team with an assist in a 3-0 win over Canada on November 5.

This season Pelkey has played for the first-place Boston Pride in the NWHL. In 16 games Pelkey has picked up seven goals and four assists for 11 points. She also participated in the inaugural NWHL All-Star Game.

The U.S. Women’s National Team will take part in a pre-tournament camp at XFINITY Arena in Everett, Washington, from March 18-24. The U.S. will open the IIHF Women’s World Championship against rival Canada at 10:30 p.m. ET on March 28 at the Sandman Centre. The U.S. is the defending champion and has won five of the last six world championships (2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015).

U.S. Women’s World Championship Schedule
Monday March 28 – U.S. vs. Canada – 10:30 p.m. (ET)
Tuesday March 29 – U.S. vs. Finland – 6:30 p.m. (ET)
Thursday March 31 – U.S. vs. Russia – 6:30 p.m. (ET)
Friday April 1 – Quarterfinals – TBD
Sunday April 3 – Semifinals – TBD
Monday April 4 – Gold Medal/Bronze Medal Game – TBD