Stowe has runners, too!

An unintenional oversight, but Stowe was not included in my cross country preview that ran earlier this week.

Here's what should have been in there about the Raiders:

Stowe returns many of its top boys talent that led the Raiders to a narrow fifth-place finish at the Division III state meet last fall (they were one point out of a tie for 4th and two points out of a tie for 2nd). They return their top finisher from the state meet in junior Sam Puddicome, who finished in 4th in 19:20.5. Two of the rest of the top five also return: senior Kyle Duffy and sophomore JJ Clark.

On the girls side, although the Raiders did not place as a team in the state meet in 2011, youth is on their side. Now-junior Josie Gelfin was 30th in 26:01 out of 71 runners.

Good luck to the Raiders and all of our local runners this fall!

- Anna Grearson

Barre's Nick Sweet wins VSSA Athlete of the Month for July

From the Vermont Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association, of which Jamie Biggam and I are active members:

VERMONT — The Vermont Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association has named Barre racecar driver Nick Sweet as its July Open Division Athlete of the Month.

Sweet, who was nominated by VSSA member Anna Grearson of the Barre-Montpelier Times Argus, edged fellow nominees Vermont Mountaineers baseball player John Mishu and two swimmers, Peter Mikheyev of the St. Albans Sharks and Kira Hancock of the Town of Essex Swim Team, in a statewide vote of all VSSA members.

Sweet really hit a dominant stride in July in the top division at the Thunder Road racetrack. The Late Model driver from Barre had five top-five finishes, including three wins, to boost his point lead to over 100 points by month's end over reigning King of the Road Dave Pembroke of Montpelier.

Sweet started off the month with a win in the Northfield Savings Bank Holiday event (out of 23); was sixth in Charter Communications night (out of 25); won the Vermont Governor's Cup (out of 30); won the Times Argus Mid-Season Championship, worth double points (out of 22); and was eighth out of 24 in the We Dig Barre event.

His Governor's Cup win (and Pembroke's second-place finish) gave him the Vermont State Late Model Championship series tie with Pembroke (244 points) with one event remaining: a 100-lapper at Devil's Bowl in September. He won the first VSLMC race at Thunder Road on May 27.

His streak of success in July earned him another invite to the annual ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, also in September.

The VSSA will grant another Open Division honor in August, and then for September and throughout the academic year will again hand out Male and Female High School Athlete of the Month honors as well as the Open Division award.

Lots of news ahead of this weekend's Labor Day Classic at Thunder Road

What's on the line for Maine's Austin Theriault this weekend?

AT Racing: ACT Late Model Tour
Austin Theriault Thunder Road Race Preview

THE STORY

Austin Theriault of Fort Kent, Maine, will try and earn his first career victory at Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre, Vt., when the ACT Late Model Tour competes in the Labor Day Classic 200 at the track on Sunday, September 2. The Brad Keselowski Racing development driver sits just 28 points out of the ACT championship lead with two races remaining, and he hasn't finished outside the Top-6 in any ACT event since finishing ninth at Thunder Road back in May. Theriault remains the only ACT driver to have finished in the Top-10 in all eight races held in 2012.

THE FACTS

WHO: Austin Theriault, Fort Kent, Maine
TEAM: AT Racing No. 57 Pelletier Ford Ford Fusion
CREW CHIEF: Mickey Green, South Paris, Maine
BEST CAREER THUNDER ROAD FINISH: 5th (September 2011)
MOST RECENT THUNDER ROAD FINISH: 8th (May 2012)
WHAT: ACT Late Model Tour Labor Day Classic 200
WHERE: Thunder Road International Speedbowl, Barre, Vt. (.25-mile banked oval)
WHEN: Sunday, September 2 – Practice, 10 a.m.; Qualifying, 1 p.m.; Race, 4:30 p.m.

ACT Late Model Tour
LAST RACE: August 25, Can-Am 200, Circuit Riverside Speedway, Saint Croix, Que. (6th)
NEXT RACE: September 8, Showdown At Chaudiere, Autodrome Chaudiere, Vallee-Jonction, Quebec (.25-mile oval)
CURRENT POINTS POSITION: 3rd

DID YOU KNOW?

• Austin Theriault was named the winner of the 2012 “Maine Young Guns” competition on Wednesday and will make his series debut with Go Green Racing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East G-Oil 100 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 22.

• Austin Theriault recorded his best career Thunder Road International Speedbowl finish – fifth – in the Labor Day Classic 200 last year.

• The next Super Late Model start for Austin Theriault with Brad Keselowski Racing is slated for Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa, on Saturday, September 15.

• Austin Theriault has six Top-5 and eight Top-10 finishes in eight ACT Late Model Tour races this season.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING

AUSTIN THERIAULT, Driver of the No. 57 Pelletier Ford Ford Fusion, On heading back to Thunder Road International Speedbowl this weekend: “We've been hit or miss over there, to be honest. I think this time, we'll probably hit on something. In years past, I hadn't had the experience there and we hadn't had enough cars to kind of figure out what we needed to be really good.

“It's definitely a big points race and a big point weekend for everybody. I think this weekend will probably be one of the deciding factors in the championship. It can be a crapshoot there. Things happen quick. You've got to keep your eye on the ball all weekend.”

On how a 200-lap race changes things at Thunder Road: “Changing tires is going to change it a little bit and add a little bit of strategy. I think it will give guys second chances if you're starting in the back or the car isn't so good. You'll have more of an opportunity to work up through the field.”

On how he approaches the final two points races of the season while running for the ACT Late Model Tour championship: “I found out last weekend that we really can't focus on points anymore. We keep it in the back of our mind, but things are going to happen – a lot of times, they're out of our control. But things are going to happen, and we're just going to try our hardest.

“Everybody says that, but we're going to go down fighting. That doesn't mean we're going to go win two races, but we're going to do the best that we can.”

MICKEY GREEN, Crew chief of the AT Racing No. 57 Pelletier Ford Ford Fusion, On racing at Thunder Road International Speedbowl: “I'd be lying if I didn't say I was a little concerned with Thunder Road. We're either really good or really bad there. But we're bringing the new car, which we haven't had there before, and we've got some good ideas.”

On how pit strategy changes racing at Thunder Road: “I think it lets you ride a little bit, as much as you can at Thunder Road. I think you can be a little more patient. Last year, we got burned by taking tires too early.

“It definitely throws a little bit of strategy into it. I think I'm cautiously optimistic that we're going to have a good run there. We weren't that bad there in the spring. Points-wise, it's time to either make a good stab at it or not. But anything can happen up there – up there, (fourth-place Joey Polewarczyk Jr.) could come out leading the points. It's going to be a long couple of days, but we'll be ready.”

UP NEXT

The ACT Late Model Tour heads to its annual all-star race with the Showdown at Chaudiere at Autodrome Chaudiere in Vallee-Jonction, Que., on Saturday, September 8... Austin Theriault posted his best career finish in the event a year ago, finishing eighth in the 200-lap race.

And what about Williston's Brian Hoar?

RPM Motorsports: ACT Late Model Tour
Brian Hoar Thunder Road Race Preview

THE STORY

RPM Motorsports looks for its second straight Labor Day Classic 200 victory when Brian Hoar of Williston, Vt., continues his chase for a ninth ACT Late Model Tour championship at Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre, Vt., on Sunday, September 2. Hometown favorite Nick Sweet won the race last season driving as a teammate to Hoar's RPM No. 37 GossCars.com Dodge Charger, a victory that Hoar followed with wins in both the 48th annual People's United Milk Bowl in October and the Merchants Bank 150 this past May. Hoar enters the weekend fresh off his ACT-record 36th career win at Circuit Riverside Speedway in Saint Croix, Quebec, last week and he's moved to within 22 points of the series lead with two races remaining on the schedule. 

THE FACTS

WHO: Brian Hoar, Williston, Vt.
TEAM: RPM Motorsports No. 37 GossCars.com Dodge Charger
CREW CHIEF: Rick Paya, Georgia, Vt.
BEST CAREER THUNDER ROAD FINISH: 1st (most recently – May 2012)
MOST RECENT THUNDER ROAD FINISH: 1st (May 2012)
WHAT: ACT Late Model Tour Labor Day Classic 200
WHERE: Thunder Road International Speedbowl, Barre, Vt. (.25-mile banked oval)
WHEN: Sunday, September 2 – Practice, 10 a.m.; Qualifying, 1 p.m.; Race, 4:30 p.m.

ACT Late Model Tour
LAST RACE: August 25, Can-Am 200, Circuit Riverside Speedway, Saint Croix, Que. (1st)
NEXT RACE: September 8, Showdown At Chaudiere, Autodrome Chaudiere, Vallee-Jonction, Que. (.25-mile oval)
CURRENT POINTS POSITION: 2nd

DID YOU KNOW?

• Brian Hoar owns more victories (36) and championships (8) than any driver in ACT Late Model Tour history. Team owner and crew chief Rick Paya also has 27 race wins and eight championships as a car owner.

• Brian Hoar has won all four major Late Model events at Thunder Road International Speedbowl in his career – the Merchants Bank 150, the Memorial Day Classic, the Labor Day Classic and the Milk Bowl.

• Brian Hoar won the Labor Day Classic 200 in 2003. He finished 16th in the the event last year.

• RPM Motorsports is tied for the most wins on the ACT Late Model Tour this season with three.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING

BRIAN HOAR, Driver of the RPM Motorsports No. 37 GossCars.com Dodge Charger, On the importance of winning last weekend in Saint Croix, Quebec: “Last week was big. Winning the race was huge. With (team owner and crew chief Rick Paya) having the broken leg – I said it last week, it's kind of a big-time downer, here we are running for a championship and arguably the most crucial member of the team breaks a leg. We're all going, 'Oh boy. Now what do we do?' I know Rick was really down, so it was a pretty awesome experience to have the team come together and put it all together and win.

“We've got two more (points races), and I'd like to think that we can win them both. (Winning) always helps. It gets everybody's head back in the game and gets everybody pumped up.”

On his recent good fortune at Thunder Road International Speedbowl: “This year, we definitely feel better going to Thunder Road than we have in the last couple of years. We'd just kind of missed a little bit there the last couple of years. Last season, we really worked hard to make some progress to make the car better. By the end of the year, we felt we'd done that with Nick (Sweet) winning in the team car in this race last year, and then us winning the Milk Bowl and then winning the first race out this year.

“That being said, Rick being at the track all year with another car he built for Trampas Demers, Rick feels like he has a feel for what the track is like and how the track has changed throughout the course of the summer – especially since they put the (traction compound) goop down to try and make for a better two-groove racing. We're pretty pumped.”

On how a 200-lap pit stop race changes things at Thunder Road this weekend: “It really only does because of the pit strategy coming into play. That's always fun. A couple of these races we've gone to this year have had that as well, and that's fun. It gets more of the guys on the team involved and makes them a bigger part of the outcome of the race. They've got to perform as well when we come down pit road.

“I enjoy pit stop races, I really do. We've got some good guys who are fast on the guns and the jack, so that always helps. But I like it because of the added strategy. Depending on how the car's going, if the green flag drops and you've got a bad car, you've still got a chance. Of course, that means the other guys have a chance, too. But I like it. The longer races suit my driving style. I enjoy 200 laps – it wouldn't bother me to go 250 or 300 laps at Thunder Road just to say we did.”

UP NEXT

The ACT Late Model Tour heads to the annual “Showdown At Chaudiere” All-Star race at Autodrome Chaudiere in Vallee-Jonction, Quebec, on Saturday, September 8... Brian Hoar won the race last year as part of a weekend sweep of back-to-back events in the Quebec province.

And the ACT teams in general?

 

 

ACT Teams Ready For Bond Auto ACT Invitational After NHMS Test and Tune

Loudon, NH – The American Canadian Tour completed their annual Test and Tune session at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Wednesday, August 29. A total of 27 teams took advantage of the test session in preparation for the fourth annual Bond Auto ACT Invitational scheduled for Saturday, September 22. Teams completed over six hours of practice including two simulation heat races with no issues or wrecks.

Kawartha Speedway star Dan McHattie of Peterborough, Ontario set the fast time of the morning session with a 31.652. Former ACT Champion Jean-Paul Cyr of Milton, Vermont was second quickest followed by 2010 Bond Auto ACT Invitational Champion Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. of Hudson, New Hampshire, rookie Jimmy Hebert of Williamstown, Vermont and Brian Hoar of Williston, Vermont.

The afternoon session was paced by Hebert, Polewarczyk and Hoar once again. Joining the mix was Ray Parent of Tiverton, Rhode Island and Emily Packard of East Montpelier, Vermont. Current ACT point leader Wayne Helliwell, Jr. of Dover, New Hampshire, Shawn Martin of Turner, Maine, Austin Theriault of Fort Kent, ME and Guy Caron of Lempster, New Hampshire also posted times in the top ten.

East Montpelier, Vermont’s Joey Laquerre came from the ninth place starting position to win the first of a pair of 8-lap simulation races. Current Oxford Plains Speedway point leader Travis Stearns of Turner, Maine took the win in the second simulation event.

Many of the test and tune teams will be back in action this weekend as the Série ACT Castrol heads to Autodrome Montmagny in Montmagny, Quebec for a 150-lap event on Saturday, September 1. The ACT Late Model Tour returns to Thunder Road in Barre, VT for the 34^th annual Bond Auto Labor Day Classic on Sunday, September 2.

Cooper takes to Mill Rats' sideline

Frost Heave fans will remember David Cooper for his sharp-shooting from the perimeter, but now he'll be on the Mill Rats' sideline as the team announced today that Cooper will be the team's next head coach.

Here's the release from the NBL of Canada franchise:

David Cooper Named Mill Rats Head Coach

(Saint John, NB): The Saint John Mill Rats held a press conference today to announce that they have hired David Cooper as Head Coach for the 2012-2013 NBL Canada season. 

  

Cooper has been an integral part to the Mill Rats organization both on and off the court for the past five years. First as a player for three years, then as an assistant coach and VP of Marketing. 

  

His new role as Head Coach this year is an exciting turn, one that Cooper says will help him develop and train players at the next level. He has been involved with coaching and development for over 10 years now. 

  

Mill Rats General Manager Ian McCarthy states, "We are excited to have David Cooper take on this role for the team. He has been a role model for many and has earned the respect of the fans, organization and players. When the position opened up, it was a no brainer for us."

  

In 2002, while in college, he founded NetTime Sports an international Sports firm that specialized in the development and training of hundreds athletes throughout the United States and Canada. 

  

Cooper graduated from James Madison University in 2006 after playing Division 1 NCAA basketball. He holds a Major in Kinesiology/ Sports Management and Business.  

 

Cooper also played in the Northeast-10 Conference , was part of the USV1 National Team, was name to the Strength and Conditioning All American team and was a Mill Rats player for three years. 

  

During the 2009-2010 season, Cooper was named Head Coach for Hesser College and lead the team to the NCAA Final 4 Conference in their first year. Later that year, in 2010, Cooper became a co-founder of Manchester, New Hampshire's, Bishop Elite AAU Basketball. David Cooper also founded David Cooper Basketball and partnered with Matt Bonner from the NBA San Antonio Spurs to run clinics and workouts throughout New Hampshire to promote Matt Bonner Basketball. 

 

Since relocating to Saint John in 2010, Coop has also founded the Mill Rats Basketball Academy, dedicated to the training and development of players at an elite level. During his ten year tenor, Cooper has coached over 30 AAU teams from ages 10-17 on a local, national and international competitive level. He has personally developed over 100 collegiate and professional players.

 

The Saint John Mill Rats organization would like to thank former Head Coach Jaren Jackson, who earned the NBA Championship title in 1999 while playing for the NBA San Antonio Spurs. Jackson coached the team for the past two years but has decided to stay stateside this year as his wife accepted a legal job with the NCAA in Indianapolis. While helping his family during the transition, he will be missed. 

 

"We are appreciative of the two years that Coach Jackson gave to our organization and we all learned a lot from his NBA pedigree and experience," stated Ian McCarthy, Mill Rats President and General Manager. "However we are really excited about the new direction our team is taking.  We are confident that we will be a very, very competitive team this season."

 

The Saint John Mill Rats organization would also like to remind last year's season ticket holders that they have two weeks left to renew their seats before they become open to the public. Last day to renew is Friday, August 31.  

  

Season tickets are first come, first serve. Bowl tickets are good for the best available seats anywhere in the bowl. Tickets are available at the Harbour Station box office and at the Mill Rats Fan Zone located on the second floor in the Brunswick Square Shopping Centre.   

 

Run-What-You-Brung this Thursday at T-Road

First we had the Porta-Potty Gran Prix, then the Enduro. Thunder Road completes its entertaining trifecta this Thursday with the annual Run-What-You Brung event as part of its regular racing card, which begins with heat races at 6:30 p.m.

I've never actually seen this event, so I may go just to see what it's all about. But I know the WCAX signature paint-schemed vehicles have raced, along with these Freihoffer trucks (photo by Dave Heath)

and various other cars and trucks and who-knows-what else. I've learned there's never a dull moment and nothing to be assumed about these kinds of special events at The Road.

Here's the release from the folks at Thunder Road about the event:

Fans Prepare for Run-What-U-Brung Event

Point Races Remain Close As Titles Near

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TR – 080812 - 66

Barre, VT – For all the fans that have wanted to try out the high banks of Barre’s Thunder Road, their wish will come true this Thursday (August 9) presented by Make-A-Wish and Bond Auto Parts. The annual Run-What-U-Brung event, where fans can race their registered and inspected cars around the high banks, will run between Late Model, Bond Auto Tiger Sportsman, and Allen Lumber Street stock events.

Run-What-U-Brung has become a highlight of the summer at Thunder Road. The event features one-on-one match races with street-legal cars to duel for the overall win. With a four-cylinder and an eight-cylinder bracket, the winners of each side face off in a finale to become the Run-What-U-Brung champion. Vehicles of all styles – including compact cars, muscle cars, trucks, limousines, and even bread trucks – come to participate in the event.

The event will be coupled with the Tough Truck Tug O' War, where fans with trucks will be attached at the rear by a sling, and attempt to pull the other truck across the finish line.

There will also be a full card of regular Thunder Road division racing, as championship battles head into the homestretch. Late Model point leader Nick Sweet has continued his stranglehold on the division, extending his lead to 96 points over defending champion Dave Pembroke. With only three point-counting events left for the division, Sweet will look to hang on to claim his second King of the Road title.

Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen are deadlocked in one of the closest point battles in history with only 6 points separating the top five drivers. Craftsbury Common’s Mike Martin has reclaimed the point lead, but Barre’s own Jason Allen remains just two points behind. Milton’s Eric Badore has charged into third after a rough first half of the season, and now is only 5 points behind leader Martin, and just 6 points out of the lead is a deadlock for fifth between two-time Champion Shawn Fleury and Brendan Moodie, Jr.

Allen Lumber Street Stock point leader Nick Pilotte still has his hands full with leading Rookie Dean Switser, Jr., who has slowly trimmed the point lead down to just 17 points. Lincoln’s Garry Bashaw sits in third, while sophomore sensation Cameron Ouellette and all-time winningest Allen Lumber Street Stock driver Tommy “Thunder” rounds out the top five.

Run-What-U-Brung, Tough Truck Tug O' War and all the regular championship action begins on Thursday night, August 9 at “The Nation’s Site of Excitement” presented by Make-A-Wish and Bond Auto Parts. Post time is 6:30pm.

BREAKING: Mayor Lauzon DQ'd from Enduro

Some interesting news out of Thunder Road:

Barre, VT - Thunder Road officials have announced the disqualification of Barre Mayor Thom Lauzon from the 28^th Annual M&M Beverage Enduro 200 held on Sunday, August 5 at Barre’s Thunder Road. Lauzon, the driver of the #39 O.U.R. House/Believe in Barre 1986 Buick Regal made an unapproved driver switch in the middle of the event, disqualifying him from his 80^th place finish.

Lauzon, who is a hometown crowd favorite as the Mayor of Barre, found himself in trouble early in the 200-lap event. The 51-year old driver recorded 40 laps unofficially, but after an early incident dove into the pits and made an illegal driver switch. Just before the change however, Lauzon drew the ire of the Thunder Road Property Management team by engaging in some “agricultural racing”, tearing up the track’s infield for several minutes after a tire blowout.

 

Director of Competition Dean Gallison, who spotted the unauthorized driver change, checked with Thunder Road headquarters on the official decision to disqualify the #39 speedster from Barre on Monday. Lauzon will lose his 80^th place finish, improved from his 89^th place finish in 2011, relegating him to dead last in the 100-car field.

Thunder Road returns to action later this week for Run-What-You-Brung night, where fans will race in their registered and inspected vehicles on the Barre high banks, this Thursday, August 9. Thunder Road Late Models, Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen, and Allen Lumber Street Stocks will also continue championship point races. Post time is 6:30pm.

Christmas in August for Hartland road race

There are countless road races all across the country every summer (understatement of the year). Here's the story behind one coming up in Vermont later this month, which sounds very cool. I'm all about races and community events that serve a larger purpose - as most do.

Under The Tree Road Race Benefits Community Members in Need

Hartland, VT – On August 18, 2012, Hartland, VT will play host to competitive runners as they take to the road at the Under The Tree 5K and 10K Road Race. In its fourth year, the annual event serves as a fundraiser organized by the Hartland Christmas Project (HCP) that helps Hartland families and individuals in economic need with a variety of services available throughout the year. During the past year, more than $15,000 has been raised 55 Hartland families have been helped. The race starts at 9am.

The Under The Tree 5K and 10K Road Race is one of two annual fund raising events that are coordinated by the Hartland Christmas Project. The HCP began providing services to Hartland residents more than 28 years ago when two large area employers, Cone Blanchard and the Good Year Tire Company, shuttered their doors laying off a number of Hartland residents who permanently lost their jobs.

“The Hartland Christmas Project started out as means for one neighbor to help another after a job loss when two large area employers closed their doors,” said Jeannie Frazer, Chairwoman of the Hartland Christmas Project. “Today, during our current national economic downturn, the need is even greater,” she continued.

The year round services that are provided by the HCP have somewhat outlived the name, as the Hartland Christmas Project started around the Christmas holiday 28 years ago, providing gifts for children of the families affected by the company closings. Today, the HCP not only provides holiday gifts for children and adults during the holidays, it also gives fruit baskets to Hartland residents that are 80 years or older as well as a great deal of other services. Last year, the HCP provided more than $15,000 in aid, representing 98 percent of the funds generated going towards the community organization’s intended purpose; helping care for families and individuals in crisis.

According to Jeannie, “While the fruit baskets are appreciated by the older folks, it’s the visit that really brings a smile to their faces as many of their family members no longer live in the area and travel can be hard.”

The Hartland Christmas Project serves to empower those in need rather than enable by simply giving money away. Often times, before their services are offered, they direct the person or family in crisis to municipal services at the local, state and federal level. When those avenues have been exhausted, they step in helping however they can whether it be to pay a utility bill, help find an apartment, locate furniture and appliances, help with gifts around the holidays and more.

The Hartland Christmas Project and the Under The Tree 5K and 10K Road Race embody the spirit of giving and community. Volunteers pool their resources to organize annual support of those in need as well as fund raising activities. Funding for the HCP is generated from private citizens, race entry fees and local businesses. A number of corporate citizens such as Mascoma Bank, Paradise Sports Shop, Hands on Healing Massage, Stateline Sports, Frazer Agency Insurance, and Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center are sponsoring this year’s event with Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center providing medical support for race participants.  To take part in the 5K or 10K race, visit signmeup.com to securely register online. To be a race sponsor, contact Jeannie Frazer at 802.356.4789.

About the Hartland Christmas Project

Founded in 1984, the Hartland Christmas Project is a community-base organization of resident volunteers whose mission it is to help their neighbors in need. In the beginning, the Hartland Christmas Project provided gifts for the children of families that lost their income following the closing of Cone Blanchard and the Goodyear Tire Company. Today, the Hartland Community Project provide help for more than 55 families and individuals in need of support during financial crisis due to loss of income or other life changing event. The Hartland Christmas Project seeks to empower rather than enable those served with financial assistance, assistance in locating apartments, and much more. For information about the Hartland Christmas Project, to volunteer or to sponsor the Under the Tree 5K and 10K Road Race, contact Jeannie Frazer at 802.356.4789.

Montpelier's/UVM's Pelkey on USA Hockey Festival roster

Montpelier native Amanda Pelkey will be on the national stage once again this month, with USA Hockey. Here's the release (Pelkey is on the over-18 team):

Camp Will Culminate In U18 Series vs. Canada in Blaine; U22 Series vs. Canada in Calgary

2012 USA Hockey Women's National Festival Rosters Announced

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Hockey today announced the 79 players selected to participate in the 2012 USA Hockey Women's National Festival, which will take place Aug. 5-13 at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minn. The Festival will culminate with the selection of teams to represent the United States in a U18 series vs. Canada in Blaine and a U22 series vs. Canada in Calgary, Alberta. Both events will include three games between the two nations to be staged from Aug. 16-19.Attending the USA Hockey Women's National Festival are 21 of the 23 members of the U.S. Women's National Team that turned in a silver-medal performance at the 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championship in Burlington, Vermont. In addition, 14 of the players were on the 2010 U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team, including four-time Olympian Jenny Potter (Edina, Minn.), three-time Olympian Julie Chu (Fairfield, Conn.) and two-time Olympian Molly Engstrom (Siren, Wis.).Among the players under the age of 18 invited to the Festival are five members of the U.S. Women's National Under-18 Team that skated to a silver medal at the 2012 IIHF U18 Women's World Championship, including goaltender Sidney Peters (Geneva, Ill.), defenseman Natasha Rachlin (Brookline, Mass.) and forwards Danielle Cameranesi (Plymouth, Minn.), Sydney Daniels (Southwick, Mass.), and Kate Schipper (Brooklyn Park, Minn.). "We're excited to be heading to the National Sports Center with 79 of the most talented players in the nation," said Reagan Carey, director of women's hockey for USA Hockey. "We're proud of the success our women's program has achieved, but we are driven to become even better."The Festival participants will be divided into teams for daily practices and games at the Schwan Super Rink, part of the National Sports Center.For the complete Under-18 roster, click here. For the complete over-18 roster, click here.