HAMILTON – Colgate women's hockey assistant coach
Chelsea Walkland will be joined by eight current and future players this week to compete in the Collegiate Series and U18 Selects Series Aug. 16, 17 and 19 in Lake Placid, N.Y. The annual matchup between Canada and USA has taken place a total of 16 times, with 13 Raiders participating in the series since 2005.
Hannah Murphy, Emma Pais and Madeline Palumbo will represent Team Canada this year, facing off against fellow Raiders Sydney Bard, Allyson Simpson, Sydney Morrow and Elyssa Biederman from the American side. Walkland will lead Team USA as the head coach.
"It is really special to see Colgate Raiders on both the Canada and USA rosters," Walkland said. "Their presence is a testament to their unwavering dedication to development and growth, showcasing how their preparation has rightfully earned them this opportunity to shine on a national stage."
Murphy returns to the Collegiate Series after starting one game in goal for Canada during last year's event, where she logged 32 saves and an 88.9 save percentage. Palumbo has yet to step into The 1965 Arena in maroon and white but has proven her hockey prowess by winning a provincial title with the Durham West Lighting last season. In her 43 games with Durham, she registered 35 goals and 65 points.
Colgate freshman defender Avery Pickering will also compete in the three-game series, playing for Canada's U18 Selects team. Pickering, one of the few collegiate players eligible for U18 competition, hits the ice fresh off an IIHF U18 Women's World Championship gold medal won earlier this year.
Pais has won two straight IIHF U18 Women's World Championships with Team Canada, but has since graduated to Canada's National Women's Development Team which will be competing in the Collegiate Series against Team USA.
On the American side, both Morrow and Biederman were on the silver medal squad that lost to Pais and Team Canada in the 2022 IIHF U18 World Championship. Bard brings a veteran presence to Team USA having participated in last year's Collegiate Series, where the Americans edged their neighbors to the north in two out of three contests.
Simpson is one of the most decorated young Raiders on Team USA, playing in the 2017 and 2018 IIHF U18 World Championships, winning a gold medal in her most recent outing.
"We are immensely proud of our Raiders who have earned this prestigious opportunity to compete against top international competition," Colgate Women's Hockey Head Coach Greg Fargo said. "Participating in this series is not only a great development experience but a chance to represent their country and learn from some of the best coaches in the game. This is an honor I know our players are keenly aware of and grateful for. I look forward to seeing them all play this week in Lake Placid like so many other Colgate Raider fans."
The U18 Selects will kick off the festivities at 3 p.m. on Wednesday with the Collegiate Series playing afterwards at 6 p.m. Games will be streamed all week on USAHockeyTV.
