Earlier this week, USA Hockey announced the roster for the U.S. Women’s National Team that will take part on the 2017 International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship, March 31 to April 7 in Plymouth, Mich.

Much of this group was part of the U.S. team that brought home a gold medal at the 2016 IIHF Women’s World Championship and a silver medal at the 2014 Olympics.

Of the 23 players on the roster, more list the State of Hockey as their home state than anywhere else in the country. Former University of Minnesota star goaltender Robb Stauber (Medina, Minn.) is the team’s head coach.

Minnesotans on the roster:

• Maddie Rooney, G, Andover
• Lee Stecklein, D, Roseville
• Hannah Brandt, F, Vadnais Heights
• Gigi Marvin, Warroad
• Kelly Pannek, Plymouth

Other Minnesota connections include:

• Five skaters currently play for the Minnesota Whitecaps: Alex Rigsby, Monique Lamoureux-Morando, Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson, Kendall Coyne and Brandt
• Rooney plays for the University of Minnesota-Duluth
• Stecklein and Pannek play for the University of Minnesota; Amanda Kessel, Marvin, Megan Bozek and Brandt are former Golden Gophers
• St. Paul’s Brent Proulx was named team equipment manager

For more information about Team USA and the Women’s World Championship, visit USA Hockey's website.