U.S. women look to bring home third gold in hockey world championships
Fans of women's hockey hardly have had a moment to catch their breath after watching players such as Naperville's Molly Shaus and Plainfield's Lisa Chesson wage an epic battle against Canada in the Vancouver Olympics.
But that won't stop more than 150 of the world's best young female hockey players from skating into town this weekend as the International Ice Hockey Federation World Women's Under 18 Championship comes to Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodridge. The tournament opens Saturday, March 27, and continues through April 3.
The eight-nation tourney features teams from Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Japan, Russia, Sweden and the United States.
This is the first time the fledgling tournament, which has been dominated by Team USA during its first two years, will be played in the United States.
"We won the gold in Calgary in '08 and in Germany last year, so it's our turn (to host)," USA Hockey spokeswoman Christy Jeffries said. "The tournament has not grown to the state of needing to be bid out yet, so the federation scouted some sights and chose Chicago for the great facilities at Seven Bridges."
The players, all younger than 18, have contributed to the growing popularity and fan base of women's' hockey, Jeffries said. And many are expected to represent the sport's future.
"We always get a boom in post-Olympic years but we've got more great girls playing hockey than ever before," Jeffries said. "Many of the girls you'll see hitting the ice will go on to play at the college level, for their senior national teams and possibly in the Olympics."
One such player is Kendall Coyne of Palos Heights, who is competing in her third World U18 Championship.
Just last fall Coyne, who normally plays out of Woodridge for the Chicago Mission, was the youngest player invited to try out for the U.S. Olympic team.
"She's just extraordinary to watch," Jeffries said.
The 17-year-old even scored the winning goal in overtime of the gold medal game in Fussen, Germany, in January 2009 to win the USA's second consecutive title. Her USA teammates have pledged to get her her third medal.
"It's a great opportunity to line up against some of the best female players in the world and see where you fit in," Coyne said. "We've been fortunate to have just fit in first place in each of the first two years."
For details on the tournament and a complete schedule of games, visit www.Chicago2010Hockey.com.
<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p>
<p class="News"><b>What:</b> International Ice Hockey Federation World Women's U18 Championship, taking place for the first time in the U.S.</p>
<p class="News"><b>When:</b> Games run daily from Saturday, March 27, through April 3.</p>
<p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodridge, 6690 S. Route 53, Woodridge</p>
<p class="News"><b>Info:</b> <a href="http://Chicago2010Hockey.com" target="new">Chicago2010Hockey.com</a> or (630) 271-4400</p>