6 Minnesotans Set to Defend Gold

With 13 players, including five Minnesotans, returning from 2018, Team USA’s Women’s Hockey looks to defend Olympic gold in Beijing.

The U.S. will compete in a preliminary round group with Canada, Finland, Russia and Switzerland, meaning even the early games will be appointment viewing against the top women’s teams in the world.

Grace Zumwinkle is one of eight first time Olympians for Team USA, making it a total of six Minnesota natives suiting up in the red, white and blue. In addition, three Minnesotans will play key roles for the U.S. on the bench and behind the scenes.

On the Minnesota connection:

“We have a really strong girls’ youth program, really great girls’ high school hockey,” veteran Lee Stecklein said following the roster announcement at the Winter Classic. “And just knowing that I was able to play for my community was something very special. And now to be here with so many other Minnesota natives has been extra special.”

Learn more about the Minnesotans below and the entire U.S. Women’s Olympic team here.

Fun Fact: Since the inaugural games in 1998, 13 different Minnesotans have made the U.S. Women’s Olympic team (many multiple times)

Lee Stecklein, defense, Roseville - Stecklein is one of the top veteran leaders on this year’s Olympic squad and will serve as an alternate captain. A Team USA member since 2010, the 6-foot defenseman has 24 assists in 109 games with the red, white and blue. This will be her third Olympics.

Kelly Pannek, forward, Plymouth - With 28 points in 59 international games played, Pannek seems to be finding her groove as of late. She put up five points through seven games at the 2021 Women’s World Championship.

Grace Zumwinkle, forward, Excelsior - Zumwinkle may be a rookie on the Olympic scene, but she’s no stranger to international competition. The sharpshooter has been instrumental in the Under-18 and Under-22 women’s teams’ success, notching 24 points in 34 games, as well as being a full impact player at every level she’s played (84 goals and 64 assists in four years with the Gophers).

Hannah Brandt, forward, Vadnais Heights - Brandt, a 2018 U.S. Olympic gold medalist, is coming off an injury which forced her to miss the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship. The 5-foot-6 former Gopher has contributed heavily with every team she’s played on, including 24 goals and 22 assists in 80 games with Team USA.

Dani Cameranesi, forward, Plymouth - The two-time national champion at the University of Minnesota has competed with Team USA since 2011 with the Under-18 squad. The 5-foot-5 forward has amassed 33 assists and 55 points in 80 games wearing the red, white and blue.

Maddie Rooney, goalie, Andover - The backstopper who clinched gold in 2018, Rooney returns after a lower-body injury forced her to miss the World Championships. The UMD Bulldog alum had a .945 save percentage with a 1.16 goals-against average in the 2018 Games.

Read the Minnesota Hockey Journal’s January/February issue cover story featuring Rooney.

Joel Johnson, head coach, White Bear Lake - Former Gophers assistant turned St. Thomas head coach, Joel Johnson has a wealth of expertise and knowledge to help lead the charge for a gold-medal repeat.

“Watch how people skate. Watch how fast and competitive they are when their feet are moving at such a high speed. The tempo of the game is incredible,” Johnson told the Minnesota Hockey Journal. “But more importantly, I would tell everybody to watch their body language. Watch the team camaraderie and how they talk on the bench and encourage each other. Because it takes both the skill sets of shooting and skating and all that, but also a competitive spirit and a fierce desire to win. And then at the end of the day, it takes a smile on your face with the joy to compete. When you watch the best of the best, they end up with a smile, and it’s fun to watch.”

Brent Proulx, equipment manager, St. Paul - Proulx, formerly with the Minnesota Wild, has served as the USWNT’s equipment manager since 2011.

Kaela Colvard, team dietitian, Woodbury - Colvard is a registered and licensed dietitian with experience helping youth, collegiate, professional and now Olympic athletes to optimize their potential.