COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Olympian Karen Thatcher (Blaine, Wash.) officially announced her retirement from the U.S. Women’s National Team Program today.
Thatcher enjoyed a 10-year career with USA Hockey and earned a silver medal as a member of Team USA at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, British Columbia.
"Karen has been a valuable member of our Women's National Team Program since 2002 and will always be recognized for the passion she brought to the rink every day and the integrity in the way she played the game,” saidReagan Carey, director of women’s hockey for USA Hockey. “She represented the United States for 10 years and made a significant contribution to the progression of the sport during that time."
Her 70-game career included two appearances in the International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship where she helped the United States capture a pair of gold medals (2008, 2009). She was also named to the team in 2007 but missed the tournament due to injury.
Thatcher also helped the U.S claim first place in the Four Nations Cup on three occasions (2008, 2011, 2012) as well as three second-place finishes at the event (2006, 2007, 2009).
Additionally, Thatcher skated in three Under-22 Series (2002, 2003, 2004) and was a member of the 2009-10 U.S. Women’s National Team during the Qwest Tour and the 2008-09 U.S Women’s Select Team.
"Karen has been a selfless member of the USA Hockey family," said Katey Stone, head coach of the U.S. Women's National Team. "She has invested everything into her personal development and her team's success. We wish her only the very best in the next stage of her life."
Thatcher also participated in seven USA Hockey Women's National Festivals between 2003 and 2012 (2003-04, 2007-09, and 2011-12).
During her career in a U.S. uniform, Thatcher scored 16 goals and contributed 15 assists for 31 points.
"It's incredibly difficult to step away from playing the game you love but I do so having experienced a lifetime of unparalleled memories," said Thatcher. "Pulling on a USA-emblazoned jersey and taking the ice with your teammates is an indescribable feeling that I will cherish forever. I'm honored and humbled to have been a part of this program for so long and to be able to have made so many lasting friendships."
Thatcher played four years of college hockey, including three seasons at Providence College (2003-06) following her freshman year at Brown University (2002-03). She helped Providence to the Hockey East championship in consecutive seasons (2003-05) and was as an RBK All-America Second Team selection her senior season (2005-06). Thatcher was a two-time Hockey East First Team All-Star (2005, 2006) and an ECACH All-Rookie Team member in 2002-03. She was a three-time winner of the Hockey East Sportsmanship Award (2004-06), was named Hockey East Co-Player of the Year in 2005, and was recognized on the Hockey East All-Tournament Team in 2003-04. In 2005-06, she received the Sarah Devens Award, presented to the player who best demonstrates leadership and commitment both on and off the ice. She was also a Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Top-10 Finalist in 2006.
Upon concluding her college career in 2006, she embarked on a six-year professional playing career including four seasons in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (with the Vaughn Flames in 2007-08 and the Boston Blades 2010-13) and two years in the Western Women’s Hockey League (with the BC Breakers in 2006-07 and the Minnesota Whitecaps in 2008-09).
U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team Blanks Sweden, 4-0, in Quarterfinals
at 2013 IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship
Team USA Heads to Semifinals Against Germany/Russia Winner
SOCHI, Russia – Thatcher Demko (San Diego, Calif.) stopped all 28 shots he faced, as the U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team blanked Sweden, 4-0, here this evening at Shayba Arena in the quarterfinal round at the 2013 International Ice Hockey Federation Under-18 Men's World Championship. Team USA moves on to the semifinals against the winner of Germany/Russia.
"We knew that we'd have to be at our very best facing a talented Sweden team," said Don Granato, head coach of the U.S. National Under-18 Team. "Our goal is to get stronger and stronger each game. We're happy with the performance today, but will continue to work hard tomorrow."
Team USA opened scoring at 13:14 of the first frame on the power play. Will Butcher (Sun Prairie, Wis.) sent a shot wide of the net that caromed back to him just inside the blue line. Butcher blasted a shot past Swedish netminder Jonas Johansson for the goal. Tommy Vannelli (Minnetonka, Minn.) and Evan Allen (Sterling Heights, Mich.) earned assists on the play. The U.S. lead doubled when Hudson Fasching (Burnsville, Minn.) found Tyler Motte (St. Clair, Mich.), who put the puck under Johansson and into the net.
The U.S. found itself shorthanded on several occassions in the second stanza, including two extended 5-on-3 situations. Demko stood tall in net, blocking all eight shots he faced and the U.S. was successful in negating Sweden's power-play opportunities to hold onto a 2-0 lead heading into the final frame. Team USA outshot Sweden, 20-8, in the period.
Skating on the power play, Tyler Kelleher (Longmeadow, Mass.) entered the zone and dropped a pass back toMichael McCarron (Macomb, Mich.). McCarron wristed a shot past Johansson at 6:50 for the score. Down three goals, Sweden pulled its netminder at the 13:06 mark. With an empty net, J.T. Compher (Northbrook, Ill.) iced the game at 15:08. Demko turned aside 12 shots in the period and 28 total in the victory for Team USA.
The U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team will face the winner of the Germany/Russia game on Friday (April 26) at 8 p.m. local time (12 p.m. EDT), at the Bolshoy Ice Dome. The semifinal round game will be streamed live on FASTHockey.com. Team USA's complete schedule can be found below.
NOTES: Will Butcher was named Team USA's Player of the Game ... The U.S. outshot Sweden, 42-28 ... Team USA finished 2-for-6 on the power play, while Sweden went 0-for-7 with the man advantage ... For Team USA's full roster, click here ... Twenty-two players on the U.S. roster come from USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program ... The U.S. enters the tournament having captured a record nine consecutive medals, including back-to-back gold medals in 2005-06, four straight gold medals from 2009-12, two silver medals (2004, 2007) and one bronze medal (2008). Team USA’s seven gold medals are the most of any country in IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship history (event began in 1999). Team USA earned its first gold medal in 2002 … The U.S. is in Group A with the Czech Republic, Finland, Latvia and Russia. Group B consists of Canada, Germany, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland ... Follow @USAHockeyScores on Twitter for live scoring updates during the tournament. Scores will be designated with #U18MWC ... More information about the tournament can be found here. ... The U.S. National Under-18 Team trains with The Hockey IntelliGym, a revolutionary new software program released on October 1, 2010, that trains hockey sense. To learn more, visit USAHockeyIntelliGym.com.
GAME SUMMARY
Scoring By Period
| SWE | 0 - | 0 - | 0 - | 0 |
| USA | 2 - | 0 - | 2 - | 4 |
First Period - Scoring: 1, USA, Butcher (Vannelli, Allen), 13:14, (pp); 2, USA, Motte (Fasching), 17:31. Penalties: SWE, Hagg (cross-checking), 2:11; USA, Kelleher (tripping), 3:44; SWE, Burakowsky (holding), 12:30.
Second Period - Scoring: None. Penalties: SWE, Forsbacka Karlsson (tripping), 0:57; SWE, Ohman (holding), 5:25; USA, McCarron (slashing), 7:01; USA, McCarron (delay-of-game), 13:25; USA, Thompson (tripping), 15:00; USA, McCarron (delay-of-game), 15:35.
Third Period - Scoring: 3, USA, McCarron (Kelleher), 6:50, (pp); 4, USA, Compher (unassisted), 15:08, (en). Penalties: USA, Motte (cross-checking), 1:18; SWE, Aho (tripping), 6:12; USA, Cook (tripping), 8:53; SWE, de la Rose (tripping), 15:08.
Shots by Period
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
Total
|
|---|
| SWE | 8 | 8 | 12 | 28 |
| USA | 10 | 20 | 12 | 42 |
| | | | |
| Goaltenders (SH/SV) | 1 | 2 | 3 | Total |
| SWE, Johansson, 57:58 | 10/8 | 20/20 | 11/10 | 41/38 |
| USA, Demko, 60:00 | 8/8 | 8/8 | 12/12 | 28/28 |
Power Play: SWE 0-7; USA 2-6
Penalties: SWE 6-12; USA 7-14
Team USA 2013 IIHF Men's World Under-18 Championship Schedule
April 18-28 • Sochi, Russia
| Date | Opponent | Time (Local/EDT) | Live Webcast |
| Sun., April 14 | Canada* | W, 4-1 | FASTHockey.com |
| Thu., April 18 | Russia | L, 3-4 | FASTHockey.com |
| Sat., April 20 | Czech Republic | W, 4-3 | FASTHockey.com |
| Sun., April 21 | Latvia | W, 7-1 | FASTHockey.com |
| Tue., April 23 | Finland | L, 1-2 | FASTHockey.com |
| Thu., April 25 | Sweden (QF) | W, 4-0 | FASTHockey.com |
| Fri., April 26 | RUS/GER (SF) | 8 p.m./12 p.m. | FASTHockey.com |
| Sun., April 28 | Bronze-Medal Game | 4 p.m./8 a.m. | TBD |
| Sun., April 28 | Gold-Medal Game | 8 p.m./12 p.m. | TBD |
*pre-tournament game
First 15 Players Named to 2013 U.S. Men's National Team
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Assistant Coaches, Support Staff Also Announced
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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Hockey announced today the first 15 players of the 2013 U.S. Men's National Team that will compete at the International Ice Hockey Federation Men's World Championship May 3-19 in Helsinki, Finland, and Stockholm, Sweden.
The first group of players includes two goaltenders, six defensemen and seven forwards.
Name, Position
|
Most Recent Team
|
Hometown
|
Team USA Experience
|
|---|
Ben Bishop, G
|
Tampa Bay Lightning
|
Denver, Colo.
|
U.S. Men's National Team (2010)
|
Nick Bjugstad*, F
|
Florida Panthers
|
Minneapolis, Minn.
|
U.S. National Junior Team (2011-12)
|
Bobby Butler, F
|
Nashville Predators
|
Marlboro, Mass.
|
Debut
|
Chris Butler, D
|
Calgary Flames
|
St. Louis, Mo.
| U.S. Men's National Team (2012)
U.S. National Junior Team (2006) |
Matt Carle*, D
|
Tampa Bay Lightning
|
Anchorage, Alaska
| U.S. National Junior Team (2004)
U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team (2003) |
Justin Faulk*, D
|
Carolina Hurricanes
|
South St. Paul, Minn.
|
U.S. Men's National Team (2012)
U.S. National Junior Team (2011)
U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team (2010)
|
Cal Heeter, G
|
Adirondack Phantoms
|
St. Louis, Mo.
|
Debut
|
Matt Hunwick*, D
|
Colorado Avalanche
|
Warren, Mich.
|
U.S. National Junior Team (2004-05)
U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team (2003)
|
Danny Kristo*, F
|
Hamilton Bulldogs
|
Eden Prairie, Minn.
|
U.S. National Junior Team (2008-09)
U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team (2008)
|
Jamie McBain*, D
|
Carolina Hurricanes
|
Edina, Minn.
|
U.S. National Junior Team (2007-08)
U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team (2006)
|
Jeff Petry, D
|
Edmonton Oilers
|
Ann Arbor, Mich.
|
U.S. Men's National Team (2012)
|
Craig Smith, F
|
Nashville Predators
|
Madison, Wis.
|
U.S. Men's National Team (2011-12)
|
Tim Stapleton, F
|
HC Dinamo Minsk
|
La Grange, Ill.
|
U.S. Men's National Team (2011)
|
Paul Stastny, F
|
Colorado Avalanche
|
St. Louis, Mo.
|
U.S. Men's National Team (2007, 2012)
U.S. Olympic Men's Hockey Team (2010)
|
Nate Thompson, F
|
Tampa Bay Lightning
|
Anchorage, Alaska
|
U.S. Men's National Team (2012)
|
*played with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program
Housley, Army, Cole to Serve as Assistant Coaches; Support Staff Also Named
Tim Army (Denver, Colo.), Danton Cole (Pontiac, Mich.) and Phil Housley (Stillwater, Minn.) will serve as assistant coaches for the 2013 U.S. Men's National Team.
Housley is serving as an assistant coach for the U.S. Men’s National Team for the second time. Previously, he was on the U.S. bench at the 2011 IIHF Men’s World Championship in Bratislava and Kosice, Slovakia. Earlier this year, Housley was the head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team that won the gold medal at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ufa, Russia. In September 2012, Housley was one of two head coaches for the inaugural CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game in Buffalo, N.Y.
Army previously served as an assistant coach for the U.S. Men’s National Team in 1994 and 1996. He helped the U.S. Men’s National Team capture the bronze medal at the 1996 IIHF Men’s World Championship. He also served as an assistant with the U.S. World Cup Team in 2004. In addition, Army was the head coach for the U.S. Under-18 Team at the 1995 and 1996 Pacific Cup. Most recently, Army coached the U.S. Under-18 Select Team at the 2010 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament to a second-place finish, the best result by a U.S. team since 2006.
Cole is serving as an assistant coach for the U.S. Men’s National Team for the first time. He recently completed his third season as a head coach with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, guiding the U.S. National Under-17 Team during the 2012-13 campaign. Cole served as head coach of Team USA at the 2012 IIHF Men’s Under-18 World Championship in Brno, Czech Republic, where he guided the squad to a perfect 6-0-0-0 record and the gold medal.
USA Hockey also announced that Scott Masters (Colorado Avalanche) will serve as the video coordinator, whilePete Rogers (Nashville Predators) and Scott Aldrich (USA Hockey) will handle equipment manager duties. Additionally, Stan Wong (USA Hockey) and Dave Zenobi (Florida Panthers) will serve as athletic trainers; Dr. Michael Stuart, chief medical officer of USA Hockey, will be the team physician; Pee Wee Willmann will serve as massage therapist; and Dave Fischer (USA Hockey) will handle communications.
Team USA 2013 IIHF Men's World Championship ScheduleMay 3-19 • Helsinki, Finland & Stockholm, Sweden
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time (Local/EDT) |
| Sat., May 4 | Austria | Helsinki | 12:15 p.m./5:15 a.m. |
| Sun., May 5 | Latvia | Helsinki | 8:15 p.m./1:15 p.m. |
| Tues., May 7 | Russia | Helsinki | 8:15 p.m./1:15 p.m. |
| Wed., May 8 | Finland | Helsinki | 8:15 p.m./1:15 p.m. |
| Sat., May 11 | France | Helsinki | 12:15 p.m./5:15 a.m. |
| Sun., May 12 | Germany | Helsinki | 4:15 p.m./9:15 a.m. |
| Tues., May 14 | Slovakia | Helsinki | 12:15 p.m./5:15 a.m. |
| Thurs., May 16 | Quarterfinals | Helsinki | 1:00 p.m./6:00 a.m.
6:30 p.m./11:30 a.m. |
| Sat., May 18 | Semifinals | Stockholm | 3:00 p.m./9:00 a.m.
7:00 p.m./1:00 p.m. |
| Sun., May 19 | Bronze-Medal Game | Stockholm | 4:00 p.m./10:00 a.m. |
| Gold-Medal Game | Stockholm | 8:30 p.m./2:30 p.m. |
Arenas: Hartwall Arena (Helsinki); Ericsson Globe (Stockholm)
NOTES: For a complete list of players, click here ... Six of the 15 players announced have experience playing with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program ... NBC Sports Network will air all Team USA games at the 2013 IIHF Men's World Championship. A complete broadcast schedule will be announced next week ... Seven teams from the National Hockey League are represented ... Joe Sacco, head coach of the Colorado Avalanche, was named head coach of the 2013 U.S. National Men's Team ... The 2013 U.S. Men's National Team is under the direction of the U.S. Men's National Team Advisory Group, led by Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. Other members include NHL general managers Stan Bowman (Chicago), Paul Holmgren (Philadelphia), Dean Lombardi (Los Angeles), David Poile (Nashville), Ray Shero (Pittsburgh) and Dale Tallon (Florida) and NHL scouts Brian Burke (Anaheim) and Don Waddell (Pittsburgh) ... USA Hockey's international council, chaired by Tony Rossi, vice president of USA Hockey, has oversight responsibilities for all U.S. national teams.
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In Hawaii, motion pictures were shown for the first time on this date in 1906.
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Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Corey Chamblin remembers his days in the draft.
Stamps' Clayton takes a knee.
Visit the league's official website at cfl.ca.
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On this date in 1921, weather broadcasts were heard for the first time on radio in St. Louis, MO.
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Tampa, FL. — A record crowd of 15,000 attended this year's Official Draft Party Presented by Miller Lite, and the evening's highlight was an introduction to the team's star players, including "first-round pick" Darrelle Revis.
Read the rest here.
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First non-stop flight from England to India was completed on this date in 1929.
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Chicago, IL. -- For much of his time on the mound Thursday night, Jeremy Hellickson was virtually untouchable. But a shaky beginning and a staggering finish was enough to do him in and end the Rays' streak of impressive starts in a 5-2 loss to the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.
Read the rest here.
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NBC premiered "Lum and Abner" on this date in 1931. It was on the air for 24 years.
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San Francisco, CA. -- Nick Noonan loved baseball so much as a youth that he would skip birthday parties to play the game. After all, when you can run the bases and dive for grounders, you don't need ice cream and cake.
Read the rest here.
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On this date in 1937, "LIFE" magazine was printed without the word "LIFE" on the cover.
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You're reading the Johnny Blog. Almost as much fun as watching day two of the NFL draft, isn't it?
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Today in Elvis History
1960 - The filming of "G.I. Blues," with Elvis Presley, began.
1962 - On location shooting for the Elvis Presley film "Girls! Girls! Girls!" finished.
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"Lorenzo Jones" premiered on NBC radio on this date in 1937.
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Today in Beatles History:
1964 - The Beatles attended the 28th birthday party for Roy Orbison.
1969 - The Beatles recorded 32 takes of "Octopus's Garden" at Abbey Road.
1978 - "Ringo" aired on American television. It was the musical version of "The Prince and the Pauper." The show was narrated by George Harrison.
1982 - Paul McCartney released the album "Tug of War."
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Grace Kelly was on the cover of "LIFE" magazine on this date in 1954.
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Today in Sports History:
1912 - Hugh Bradley (Boston Red Sox) hit the first home run in Fenway Park.
1941 - An organ was played at a baseball stadium for the first time in Chicago, IL.
1952 - Patty Berg set a new record for major women’s golf competition when she shot a 64 over 18 holes in a tournament in Richmond, CA.
1964 - The Boston Celtics won their sixth consecutive NBA title. They won two more before the streak came to an end.
1966 - Red Auerbach retired as head coach of the Boston Celtics.
1988 - The NBA approved the addition of a third referee for the 1988-89 season.
1995 - In Denver, CO, Coors Field officially opened. The Rockies beat the New York Mets 11-9 in 14 innings.
1997 - Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) played what was billed as his last NHL game. He later came out of retirement to play for the Penguins as an owner/player.
2000 - Charles Wang and Sanjay Kumar purchased the NHL's New York Islanders.
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On this date in 1983, Dow Jones Industrial Average broke 1,200 for first time.
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Coming Up:
Tonight --
Nascar Nationwide Series -- Toyotacare 250 at Richmond International Raceway 7:30pm EDT
MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago White Sox 8:10pm EDT
NAHL Playoff Hockey -- Wenatchee Wild vs Kenai River or Fairbanks 10:05pm EDT
MLB -- San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres 10:10pm EDT
Saturday --
NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers 7:00pm EDT (Final game of regular season)
MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago White Sox 7:10pm EDT
Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway 7:30pm EDT
MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Arizona Diamondbacks 8:40pm EDT
NAHL Playoff Hockey -- Wenatchee Wild vs Kenai River or Fairbanks 10:05pm EDT
Sunday --
MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago White Sox 2:10pm EDT
MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Arizona Diamondbacks 4:10pm EDT
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That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by, see you tomorrow!
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