Seven with Gophers ties make U.S. women's hockey team

Five former Gophers women's hockey players and two current ones were selected to play for the United States in the 2021 International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championship in Calgary, Alberta.

USA Hockey revealed the roster Thursday. It included 2019 IIHF gold medalists Megan Bozek, Dani Cameranesi, Amanda Kessel, Kelly Pannek and Lee Stecklein, all former U players, plus two who are still eligible to play for the U: Grace Zumwinkle and Abbey Murphy.

Bozek and Stecklein will represent the U.S. at the world championships for the fifth time. Kessel has been involved four times, Cameranesi three and Pannek two. It's the first chance for Zumwinkle and Murphy. Zumwinkle was named to the 2020 U.S. roster, but the tournament was canceled because of the COVID-19.

The Gophers also will provide other team support. Gophers strength coach Cal Dietz and equipment manager Brent Proulx were named to the U.S. staff.

The world championships will begin Aug. 20.

The Gophers announced a nonconference schedule for the men's hockey team in 2021-22 that features six games against in-state rivals.

Minnesota will open its 101st season with a two-game series at home Oct. 2 and Oct. 3 against Alaska. Mercyhurst will visit for two games Oct. 8 and Oct. 9.

A pair of home-and-home series against in-state rivals will follow. The Gophers will host St. Cloud State on Oct. 15 and play the Huskies in St. Cloud the next day. The next weekend the Gophers will play Minnesota Duluth at home on Oct. 22 and in Duluth the next day.

North Dakota and the Gophers will play two games in Grand Forks, N.D., on Oct. 22 and Oct. 23.