Women's Olympic Team Adds Luhowy, Bechard for U.S. Game

NR.007.98
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January 27, 1998
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CALGARY, AB -- Canada's Women's Olympic Team has added forwards Tracy Luhowy and Kelly Bechard to the lineup for Wednesday night's game against Team USA in Colorado Springs, CO, head coach Shannon Miller announced Tuesday.

Team Canada, which lost 3-1 on Monday night to the Americans, will be without team captain Stacy Wilson, out with a bruised sternum, and Lori Dupuis, who twisted a knee in Monday night's game. Wilson suffered her injury in Team USA's 4-3 overtime victory over Canada on Jan. 20 in San Jose, CA, and did not play on Monday night. Both Wilson and Dupuis are expected to compete for Canada at the Winter Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan from Feb. 7-22. Both Bechard and Luhowy have been playing for the Olympic Oval women's team in Calgary.

The Colorado Springs game is the final North American pre-Olympic game for both Canada and the United States, and the 13th of their exhibition series to prepare for the Winter Olympics. The season series is tied at six games apiece.

On the weekend, Team Canada recalled forward Luce Letendre of Brossard, QC, to fill in for Laura Schuler, who suffered a knee injury in Canada's 2-1 victory over Team USA on Jan. 16 in Vancouver.

Schuler, 27, of Scarborough, ON, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee but is expected to be ready to compete for Canada in Nagano. Schuler has been fitted for a knee brace, which she will wear during competition.

Miller said a decision on whether Schuler will be fit to compete in Nagano must be made no later than Feb. 4. If Schuler's injury prevents her from competing in Nagano, her place on the roster would be filled by Letendre.

Team Canada departs for Japan from Vancouver on Jan. 30, flying to Osaka, where they will spend three days, before proceeding to Nagano. The team will play a final pre-Olympic exhibition game against Sweden on Feb. 4 and opens the Olympic tournament on Feb. 8 against the host team, Japan.

For more information:

Esther Madziya
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada

(403) 284-6484 

[email protected] 

Spencer Sharkey
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada

(403) 777-4567

[email protected]

Jeremy Knight
Manager, Corporate Communications
Hockey Canada

(647) 251-9738

[email protected]

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