It’s one thing to play consistent, hard-nosed, competitive hockey.
It might be something else altogether to have to do it on the road internationally, for three straight games against the host country.
That’s what faces the U.S. Women’s Development Sled Hockey Team this week as they prepare for the 2025 Women’s Sled Series, starting Wednesday (March 26) and concluding Saturday (March 29) at Canada Games Park in Thorold, Ontario.
The U.S. will play Canada at 6:30 p.m. ET Wednesday and 12 p.m. ET Friday and Saturday. You can find links to live stream the game here.
Kelsey DiClaudio, for one, can’t wait to get going.
“It gives us a little chip on our shoulder,” DiClaudio said. “We haven’t been to Canada for a series against them. We want to go in with a lot of pride and get the wins and have a lot of fun doing it.”
That shouldn’t be a problem despite the fact that this is just the second time this season the team is convening, said Rose Misiewicz, head coach of the U.S. Women’s Development Sled Team. The first was last fall at the 2024 Women’s World Challenge in Skien, Norway, where the U.S. took home the championship. DiClaudio did her part with a three-point performance in the title game against Canada.
“The ladies come with the most energy I’ve ever seen on a team and all our competitions are really good,” Misiewicz said.
This is the second consecutive year of the Women’s Sled Series. Last year, the Americans went 3-0-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L) at MAYSA Arena in Minot, North Dakota, outscoring Canada 17-2 over three games.
This year, the U.S. will look to have similar success across the border. No matter what venue the series takes place in, the major challenge remains playing with intensity for three games in a row against the same opponent.
How does DiClaudio handle that?
“Never really becoming complacent, always going out with the mindset that anything can happen,” DiClaudio said. “Sticking to our game is what we want to do out there.”
DiClaudio has plenty of help on both ends of the ice, Misiewicz said. Take Catherine Faherty, for example. The Norwell, Massachusetts, native plays center or wing and has great vision.
“It’s very similar to Kelsey,” Misiewicz said. “She can shoot that thing, see the ice, pass it. She’s a complete player. It’s been fun over the past couple of years to see her rise.”
Erica McKee is a stalwart on defense for the Americans, and Misiewicz calls her the team’s “trusty veteran.” She also brings a major intangible — keeping the team loose and together and making sure everyone is accounted for and included.
The player that is on the cusp of taking a major step into the limelight is Kaden Herchenroether. The 20-year-old from Allison Park, Pennsylvania, has been on the team for a couple of years, and Misiewicz has seen her confidence build.
“She’s always had talent,” Misiewicz said. “It’s taken awhile for her to believe in herself. She is a very fun player to watch, and I can’t wait for something magical to happen on the ice with her.”
The big advantage the U.S. has is three goalies that are nearly interchangeable. Gabby Graves-Wake has quick reflexes and focus, with a win at all costs mentality.
Then there are the two Hopes – Hope Bevilhymer and Hope Magelky. The former skated with McKee before there was even a women’s development sled team, while the latter adds cohesion to the locker room by bringing the fun.
Running the table this week is the main goal, but Misiewicz has goals for the team beyond that.
“I want to see us grow and develop, and by the time the week is over, the third game is the best game,” she said. “We don’t have a ton of opportunities for our team to come together and play as a whole, so we want to use it as a time to work together.”
But it’s not all work, she added. The U.S. National Sled Hockey Team will also be in Thorold, which will double the fun, and the women love to get out outside and hit a hibachi table for sushi when the opportunity arises.
It’s still a business trip, though, and DiClaudio is viewing it as such.
“We need to look at our strengths and also our weaknesses,” she said. “It was about five months ago since we last played Canada, and just tuning into our strengths and weaknesses will be key.”
Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.
Source: usahockey.com