Wisconsin women's hockey: 12 Badgers named to international rosters

Between past, present and future Wisconsin women's hockey players, the Badgers are sending 12 representatives to the U-18 and U-22 challenge series between the United States and Canada.

Former goaltender Alex Rigsby and incoming freshman forward Annie Pankowski were named to the U.S. U-22 roster that will compete in a three-game series against Canada Aug. 21-24 in Calgary, Alberta, at Canada Olympic Park.

Rigsby and Pankowski will square off with a number of familiar faces, as five Badgers were named to Canada's U-22 roster. Sophomore goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens, sophomore defenseman Mellissa Channell, sophomore forward Sarah Nurse, senior forward Blayre Turnbull and incoming freshman forward Emily Clark will all represent Wisconsin on the Canadian side.

Additionally, four future Badgers will suit up for the United States in Calgary, while one recruit will lace up her skates for Canada. Forwards Sophia Shaver (Wayzata high school), Alexis Mauermann (Shattuck-St. Mary's) and Presley Norby (Minnetonka high school) join defenseman Mekenzie Steffen (Hill Murray high school) as members of the U.S. U-18 Select team, while Samantha Cogan (Ottawa, Ont.) dons the Team Canada sweater on the other side.

The three-game U-22 series between the United States and Canada is an event that has been held 10 times since 1999. The U-18 series is annual event between the two countries and has been held each August since 2007.

Wisconsin assistant coach Jackie Friesen will once again be an assistant coach for Canada's U-18 team. Friesen helped lead the team to a gold medal at the 2014 IIHF U-18 Women's World Championships.

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