Decker makes Johnson's U.S. U18 Team
November 25, 2008 | Women's Hockey
Wisconsin women's hockey coach Mark Johnson will lead the U.S. Women's National Under-18 team at the 2009 International Ice Hockey Federation World Women's U18 Championship from January 5-10 in Fussen, Germany. USA Hockey announced the preliminary roster for the U.S. Women's National Under-18 Team that will defend its world title. The current 21-player roster will be reduced by one defenseman following USA Hockey's Women's Holiday Camp, which will run from December 26-31 in Blaine, Minn.
"We're excited about the selection of the team," said Johnson who is returning as the head coach after a three-game series against Canada. "It has a good mix of players who participated on last year's gold medal-winning team and a group of talented young players."
Included on the roster is Wisconsin recruit Brianna Decker who signed a National Letter of Intent last week to play for Wisconsin in 2009.
Decker, a Wisconsin native out of Dousman, returns to the squad after helping the U.S. Women's Select Team capture the 2008 Four Nations Cup title earlier this month. As a senior at Shattuck-St. Mary's, Decker has contributed 46 goals and 28 assists for 74 points in just 20 games this season. She also led the U.S. women's U18 team in points against Canada in August.
Joining Johnson on the coaching staff as assistant coaches are Katie King, head women 's hockey coach at Boston College, and Jeff Giesen, head women's hockey coach at St. Cloud State University.
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The Badgers will next play Minnesota State at the Kohl Center Nov. 28 and Nov. 30. Face-off is set for 2 p.m. both Friday and Sunday.
