January 14, 2010 – USA Hockey (usahockey.com)

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Two-time Olympian [Easton Sponsored] Natalie Darwitz (Eagan, Minn.) will serve as the captain of the 2010 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team, as announced today by USA Hockey. Joining her as alternate captains will be fellow two-time Olympian Julie Chu (Fairfield, Conn.), as well as three-time Olympians Jenny Potter (Edina, Minn.) and Angela Ruggiero (Simi Valley, Calif.).

Darwitz will be serving her first Olympic captaincy at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, which take place from Feb. 12-28 in Vancouver, B.C. She has previously been the captain for Team USA during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons, which included two International Ice Hockey Federation World Women’s Championship runs.

Captains cov

L to R: Julie Chu, Jenny Potter, Natalie Darwitz and Angela Ruggiero will lead Team USA in Vancouver.

U.S. Roster Camera icon Announcement Photos
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Qwest Tour down to final game
Having been a member of the U.S. Women’s National Program since 1998, Darwitz has played 197 games for Team USA and amassed 231 points (111-120) to stand fourth on both the all-time U.S. scoring and games played lists. She has skated in two Olympics, eight world championships and seven Three/Four Nations Cups.

The trio of alternate captains also holds a multitude of experience. Chu has been part of the U.S. program since 1999 and has seen action in two Olympics, six world championships and eight Four Nations Cups. She’s played 185 games in the USA sweater, garnering 150 points (55-95) in the process.

Meanwhile, Potter and Ruggiero are the most senior members of Team USA. Potter has been on the squad since 1997 and has played in three Olympics, including in 1998 when the Americans won the first-ever Olympic gold medal awarded in the sport. In addition, while racking up 207 career points (88-119) in 179 games, she’s played in eight world championships and eight Three/Four Nations Cups.

Finally, Ruggiero, who has played more hockey games (244) for Team USA than any one else, is also a three-time Olympian after having been the youngest member of the 1998 gold medal-winning squad. She’s played in nine world championships and eight Three/Four Nations Cups and has been named the top defenseman in the world on six occasions. In her 244 games, Ruggiero has a total of 198 points (60-138), which is second all-time among U.S. defensemen.

The U.S. team is currently at the tail end of the Qwest Tour, a 10-game, nine-city tour that began on Sept. 25. The final game will take place at the World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Feb. 4 against Finland. For tickets and more information, visit QwestTour.com.

Team USA opens Olympic competition on Sunday, Feb. 14, against China.

NOTES: Click here for the full roster … The U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team has medaled in all three Olympic appearances to date (gold-1998, silver-2002, bronze-2006) … Mark Johnson, head women’s ice hockey coach at the University of Wisconsin, is the head coach of the 2010 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team. Joining him on the coaching staff as assistant coaches are Dave Flint, head women’s ice hockey coach at Northeastern University, and Jodi McKenna, head women’s ice hockey coach at Wesleyan University.

Team USA 2010 Olympic Winter Games Schedule
Feb. 13-25 • Vancouver, B.C.
Date Opponent Location

Time (Local/ET)
Sun., Feb. 14 China UBC Thunderbird Arena 12 p.m./3 p.m.
Tues., Feb. 16 Russia UBC Thunderbird Arena 2:30 p.m./5:30 p.m.
Thurs., Feb. 18 Finland UBC Thunderbird Arena 2:30 p.m./5:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 20 Classification Games UBC Thunderbird Arena TBA
Mon., Feb. 22 Semifinals* Canada Hockey Place 12 p.m./3 p.m.
Thurs., Feb. 25 Bronze-Medal Game Canada Hockey Place 11 a.m./2 p.m.
Gold-Medal Game Canada Hockey Place 3:30 p.m./6:30 p.m.
*game time listed is when Team USA will play if qualified for game