COURTNEY BIRCHARD

CALGARY, Alberta  – Courtney Birchard (Mississauga, Ontario), Kayley Herman (Weyburn, Saskatchewan) and Jenn Wakefield (Pickering, Ontario) – all of whom were freshman on the University of New Hampshire women’s ice hockey team in 2008 – were recently selected by Hockey Canada to participate in the Under-22 strength and conditioning/skating camp that will be held May 28-31 at Calgary’s Father David Bauer Olympic Arena.

These three UNH skaters are among 51 overall players selected. Birchard and Wakefield – both forwards – were members of the 2007-08 National Women’s Under-22 Team that won a goal medal at the Air Canada Cup in Germany in January of this year. Wakefield has also competed on the National Women’s Team.

Birchard skated in 28 games for UNH in her rookie season and tallied 21 points on eight goals and 13 assists.

Herman established UNH single-season records for wins (29) and goals-against-average (1.07), and both her .938 save percentage and nine shutouts rank third on the program’s list of single-season superlatives. Herman’s collegiate accolades include Hockey East ITECH Goaltending Champion, Hockey East Second Team All-Star, Hockey East All-Rookie Team, Hockey East Goaltender of the Month and Hockey East Rookie of the Month (twice).

Wakefield led the Wildcats in goals (27) and was second in points (46)/ plus/minus (+37), power-play goals (seven) and shooting percentage (.196). Wakefield’s collegiate accolades include Hockey East Rookie of the Year, Hockey East Scoring Champion, Hockey East All-Rookie

KAYLEY HERMAN

Team and Hockey East Rookie of the Month (twice).

Using the 2007-08 on-ice evaluation, performance at this camp and, for the goaltenders, performance at the June goalie camp, Hockey Canada officials will make their selections for an August camp that will aid them in selecting the National Women’s Under-22 Team for the 2008-09 season.

JENN WAKEFIELD