Ten Olympic Medalists Headline Rosters Selected for 2019 NWHL All-Star Weekend in Nashville
December 5, 2018 - Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) News Release
The rosters for 2019 NWHL All-Star Weekend hosted by the Nashville Predators were selected today via live draft on Twitter between captains Shannon Szabados of the Buffalo Beauts and Canadian Olympic Team, and Lee Stecklein of the Minnesota Whitecaps and the U.S. Olympic Team.
Among those coming to Nashville to represent the NWHL are ten players who won medals in the Winter Olympics last February: Szabados of silver medal-winning Canada, and from gold medal-winning Team USA: Stecklein, Dani Cameranesii, Kendall Coyne Schofield, Nicole Hensley, Amanda Kessel, Gigi Marvin, Amanda Pelkey, Emily Pfalzer and Haley Skarupa.
The combined rosters include 5 members each from the Connecticut Whale and Metropolitan Riveters, 6 players from the Boston Pride, and 8 members each from the Buffalo Beauts and first-year expansion club Minnesota Whitecaps.
Five countries are represented by players at this year's NWHL All-Star Game: Canada, Czech Republic (Katerina Mrázová), Finland (Meeri Räisänen), Sweden (Michelle Löwenhielm) and the U.S.
"These rosters are filled with extraordinary players and women, and we could not be more proud to showcase them in the great hockey city of Nashville at our All-Star events in February," said Hayley Moore, the NWHL's Deputy Commissioner and Director of Player Development.
Szabados and Stecklein alternated making picks on Twitter, providing commentary with each selection. For example, Szabados said of Kessel, "Amanda has been a game-changer for the women's game on and off the ice. I'm excited to be a teammate with her after all the battles we have had in the past."
Stecklein said when drafting Hensley, "Need two great goalies for All-Star since everyone is playing offense haha. Will start with the golden goalie, my @usahockey teammate @NicHens29, and keep her away from Szabados. See you in Music City, Nicole!"
Team Szabados
Goaltenders: Meeri Räisänen, Shannon Szabados
Defenders: Lexi Bender, Blake Bolden, Amanda Boulier, Shannon Doyle, Savannah Harmon, Michelle Picard
Forwards: Kendall Coyne Schofield, Amanda Kessel, Katerina Mrázová, Madison Packer, Amanda Pelkey, Audra Richards, Haley Skarupa
Team Stecklein
Goaltenders: Nicole Hensley, Amanda Leveille
Defenders: Courtney Burke, Lisa Chesson, Alyssa Gagliardi, Michelle Löwenhielm, Emily Pfalzer, Lee Stecklein
Forwards: Hannah Brandt, Dani Cameranesi, Jonna Curtis, Jillian Dempsey, Emily Fluke, Gigi Marvin, Kate Schipper, Allie Thunstrom
The 2019 NWHL All-Star Game will be played after the Predators host the St. Louis Blues at 11:30 am CT. Ticketholders for the Predators game are invited to stay for the NWHL event. In addition, fans with general admission tickets for the All-Star Game will be able to enter Bridgestone Arena at approximately 2 pm. The All-Star Game will consist of two 25-minute halves, and each team will have 14 skaters and two goaltenders. General admission tickets, just $20 each, for the 2019 NWHL All-Star Game at Bridgestone Arena on Sunday, Feb. 10 are available now HERE.
The NWHL All-Star Skills Challenge, which includes a post-event Meet & Greet with NWHL All-Stars, will take place at Ford Ice Center on Saturday, Feb. 9 and is limited to just 500 attendees.
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Premier Hockey Federation Stories from December 5, 2018
- Eight Beauts to Participate in 2019 NWHL All-Star Game - Buffalo Beauts
- Ten Olympic Medalists Headline Rosters Selected for 2019 NWHL All-Star Weekend in Nashville - PHF
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