Since the start of the Mark Johnson era at Wisconsin the Badgers have really become a force in Women's hockey at the collegiate level. As a result they've also gone on to produce some of the top talent at the international level as well. In 2014 four former Badgers and an incoming freshman will done the red, white, and blue of Team USA as they represent their country in the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.
The four former Badgers are Jessie Vetter, Brianna Decker, Meghan Duggan, and Hilary Knight. They will be joined by incoming freshman Anne Pankowski.
Pankowski is no stranger to international competition at all, having played at the U18 level for Team USA at the World Championships in 2011 and 2012. In the 2012 version Pankowski was the 2nd leading scorer in the tournament behind fellow Team USA member Haley Skarupa. Pankowski had 10 points in the tournament (4 goals, 6 assists).
However awesome that bit of news is, it was a bit bittersweet as current Badgers Alex Rigsby and Courtney Burke were cut from the team as they narrowed down the list from 41 to the 25 women who will represent their country in the games. In total nine player with ties as former, current, or future Badgers tried out for the team with the five making the roster.
For Wisconsin that means this upcoming season won't be affected too greatly. Rigsby and Burke will be back with the team for the whole of the season, but, Pankowski will have to put off her time in a Badgers uniform as she'll be in residency for this team come September and she may not be available at all should she get the o.k. for the final roster that will be announced in December. If so she will miss the whole of the 2013-14 season.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
