Four teens from a Stowe hockey school—two of them native Vermonters—will represent the United States tonight (April 2) in an international tournament in Chicago.

The game, set for Friday at 6:30 p.m., is a semi-final match against Sweden in the International Ice Hockey Federation World Women’s Under-18 tournament. 

The U.S. team has won the tournament since it was established three years ago. Captain Brittany Ammerman, a senior at North American Hockey Academy in Stowe, said she thinks the team’s chances of winning are good. 

“We’re two-time time champions, so we definitely have a target on our backs, but were on our home ice this year,” she said. “We’re playing really well and we’ve come together as a team. We get along great and it’s a lot of fun to be with a bunch of girls who love to play hockey.”

This is Ammerman’s second year on the U.S. team.

“Its always a great feeling any time you get to wear a USA jersey,” Ammerman said. It’s a privilege you work really hard for.”

Vermonters Amanda Pelkey of Montpelier and Melissa Bizzari of Stowe are also on the team, as well as Zoe Hickel, originally from Alaska. All four girls are forwards.

The girls are four of 20 players named to the 2010 U.S. Women’s National Under-18 Hockey Team.

“It’s an incredibly competitive process… the 20 girls that get picked are pretty special,” said Bill Driscoll, head coach at North American Hockey Academy. “We’re pretty proud of them.”

Driscoll said the U-18 team is often a first step toward playing on the U.S. Olympic team.

“They obviously have a very high skill level, and they all bring different things to the table,” Driscoll said. “Some are pure goal scorers, some have incredible vision and can help move the puck.”

The team has already played—and beaten—Japan, Finland, and the Czech Republic. They are expected to face off with the Canadian team in the gold medal game Saturday night.

Watch the Vermonters and their team play, streamed live at fasthockey.com.

 

Update (3/3/10): The U.S. team defeated Sweden 5-0 Friday. They took the silver medal with a 5-4 overtime loss against Canada Saturday night. 

 

To publish something of your own, click here. Got a story idea? E-mail stephanie@fireflymag.com.