Head coach Dan Church announced on Thursday that Valerie Chouinard (Matane, QC) has been named captain of Canada’s National Women’s Under-22 Team for this week’s three-game series against the USA’s National Women’s Under-22 Team in Lake Placid, NY.

The 2007-08 season marks the third for Chouinard with the National Women’s Under-22 Team, including gold medals at the 20 Air Canada Cups in Germany. She has recorded 14 points (8 goals, 6 assists) in 12 games.

Chouinard has had a decorated two years at Mercyhurst College, becoming a two-time member of the College Hockey America (CHA) First All-Star Team, CHA All-Academic Team and CHA All-Tournament Team, while helping the Lakers to back-to-back CHA championships. Chouinard was also named the CHA Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year in 2005-06 after recording 54 points (28 goals, 26 assists) in 35 games.

In addition, Davidson named two alternate captains for the three-game series, which includes games Thursday night, Friday night and Sunday morning.

Meghan Agosta (Ruthven, ON) is easily the most internationally-experienced player on this year’s National Women’s Under-22 Team, having played 40 games with Canada’s National Women’s Team, and another 14 with the National Women’s Under-22 Team. At just 20 years old, her résumé already includes an Olympic gold medal (2006) and an IIHF World Women’s Championship gold medal (2007).

In her first season of women’s college hockey at Mercyhurst College, Agosta became the first freshman to ever be named a Top 3 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award, given to the top player in U.S. college women’s hockey. She was also named the CHA Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, as well as to the CHA First All-Star Team, All-Rookie Team and All-Tournament Team. A First Team All-American, Agosta racked up an NCAA-leading 74 points (38 goals, 36 asissts) in just 35 games, including a 16-game point streak and a 13-game goal scoring streak.

Melanie Gagnon (St. Adolphe, MB) brings the most National Women’s Under-22 Team experience to the team, having played 24 games over four seasons – recording nine points (1 goal, 8 assists). She has captured gold medals at the 2004, 2005, 20 Air Canada Cups in Germany.

Entering her junior season at the University of Minnesota, Gagnon was a member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) Third All-Star Team in 2006-07, and the WCHA All-Rookie Team in 2005-06. She also won back-to-back Western Women’s Hockey League (WWHL) championships with the Calgary Oval X-Treme in 20.

» 2007-08 National Women's Under-22 Team