USHL

The United States Hockey League (USHL) will be well-represented at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing as 35 men’s hockey players, nine women’s hockey players, six officials and additional team staff, all with USHL ties, participate in the action from February 3-19. 

"We are incredibly proud of all of the people who are representing their countries at the 2022 Olympics who have come through the United States Hockey League," said USHL President & Commissioner Bill Robertson. "The way we're represented at the Olympics, not only by former players but also staff and officials, is a testament to the way our league has developed those who come through it."

On the men’s side, the majority of representation, 21 of the 35 players with USHL ties, will skate for Team USA. Led by a staff consisting of General Manager John Vanbiesbrouck, Assistant Coaches Mike Hastings and Brett Larson, Goaltending Coach Dave Lassonde and Athletic Trainer Jason Hodges, the team itself will feature 21 of the 25 players having previously skated in the USHL. 

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First Round NHL prospects Matthew Beniers (Seattle Kraken, 2021, Round 1, #2), Jake Sanderson (Ottawa Senators, 2020, Round 1, #5) and Brendan Brisson (Vegas Golden Knights, 2020, Round 1, #29) highlight the players, all coming from the NCAA this season to partake in the Games. Beniers and Brisson currently skate for University of Michigan while Sanderson plays for the University of North Dakota. 

The US roster also features three Clark Cup Champions, two Calder Cup Champions, an AHL MVP, three former All-USHL First Team Members, two USA Hockey Junior Player of the Year winners, a former USA Hockey College Player of the Year, a former Hobey Baker Award winner, an NCAA First Team All-American, former Medal Winners at other international events and more. 

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The league in total will be represented on 10 of the 12 men’s rosters with the following alumni making rosters for their respective country: Owen Power (Canada), Jake Chelios (China), Lukas Klok (Czechia), Markus Lauridsen (Denmark), Patrick Russell (Denmark), Jussi Olkinuora (Finland), Lean Bergmann (Germany), Frederik Tiffels (Germany), Karlis Cukste (Latvia), Ralphs Freibergs (Latvia), Kristian Pospisil (Slovakia), Matej Tomek (Slovakia), Christian Folin (Sweden) and Frederik Olofsson (Sweden). 

On the women's side, nine players, including six on Team USA, have ties to the USHL. Jincy Dunne, a defender, played on the St. Louis AA Blues 16U team during the 2013-14 season, a roster that featured USHL alumni such as her brother Josh Dunne (Green Bay, 2014-18), Brady Tkachuk (USA Hockey National Team Development Program - NTDP, 2015-17), Ty Farmer (Youngstown/Fargo/Muskegon, 2014-18), Trent Frederic (NTDP, 2014-16), Luke Martin (NTDP, 2014-16), Joey Matthews (Tri-City/Sioux City, 2015-17), Tommy Nappier (Omaha/Chicago, 2016-17), Brandon Puricelli (Omaha, 2017-18), Zach Solow (Dubuque, 2015-17) and Joseph Woll (NTDP, 2014-16). Five other US Women's players had brothers play in the USHL including Dani Cameranesi (Tony, Waterloo, 2011-12), Alex Carpenter (Robert, Sioux City, 2013-15), Jesse Compher (J.T., NTDP, 2011-13), Megan Keller (Ryan, Sioux Falls, 2011-12) and Amanda Kessel (Blake, Waterloo, 2006-08). Cameranesi (Robby Dee, Omaha, 2005-07) and Kessel (David Moss, Cedar Rapids, 2000-01) also had cousins who played in the USHL as well. 

Internationally, China's Kimberly Newell is the sister of Victor who played for the Omaha Lancers and Waterloo Black Hawks (2011-13), Denmark's Emma Russell is the sister of Patrick who played for Waterloo (2013-14) and Switzerland's Keely Moy is the sister Tyler who played for Omaha (2012-13). 

Six officials with USHL ties will also feature in the Men's and Women's Olympics, as well as the Paralympics. Andrew Bruggeman (Referee), William Hancock II (Linesperson) and Brian Oliver (Linesperson) will all officiate for Men's games this Olympics. While all three are graduates of the league, Bruggeman and Hancock II have also worked games this season. Kendall Hanley (Linesperson) will serve during Women's games and has served as an officiant in the league this season. Bobby Esposito (Referee) and Brendan Lewis (Linesperson) have been chosen to officiate at the Paralympic games after both serving as officiants in USHL games this season.