OTTAWA – Canada and the United States named their teams for the 2012 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship in Burlington, Vermont (USA).

Host and reigning champion USA selected three goalkeepers, seven defenders and 13 forwards following a camp in Lake Placid and an exhibition game in Ottawa Canada won 1-0.

The roster includes four-time Olympian Jenny Potter and Julie Chu, who has played on three Olympic teams. A total of 15 players are on the roster who helped Team USA win the world title in 2011.

Defenceman Megan Bozek and forward Taylor Wasylk are making their U.S. Women's National Team debut at the senior level. An additional four players will be competing in their first IIHF Women's World Championship, including defenceman Michelle Picard and forwards Hannah Brandt, Jillian Dempsey and Amanda Kessel.

“We had some extremely difficult decisions to make after a great week of training and competition in Lake Placid,” said Reagan Carey, director of women's hockey for USA Hockey. “Each player was challenged to become better and each player rose to the occasion. I look forward to this team having the opportunity to defend our world title on home ice.”

The Canadians will certainly have something against these plans. On Saturday they defeated the U.S. 1-0 in a pre-event game in Ottawa. Laura Fortino scored the only goal of the game one day before the roster cut.

The roster includes eleven players who won the last gold medal for Canada at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.

“This week’s selection camp was extremely competitive and we had some tough decisions to make,” said head coach Dan Church. “We’re excited about the final roster and look forward to heading to Burlington for what will be a great week of world-class women’s hockey.”

The two North American rivals will meet on the opening day for their preliminary-round game on 7 April in Burlington. The event ends one week later with the medal games on 14 April.

For rosters announced by the European teams click here.

Team USA

Goalkeepers:
Brianne McLaughlin
Molly Schaus, Boston Blades (CWHL)
Jessie Vetter

Defencemen:
Kacey Bellamy, Boston Blades (CWHL)
Megan Bozek, University of Minnesota (WCHA)
Lisa Chesson
Gigi Marvin, Boston Blades (CWHL)
Michelle Picard, Harvard University (ECACH)
Josephine Pucci, Harvard University (ECACH)
Anne Schleper, University of Minnesota (WCHA)

Forwards:
Hannah Brandt, Hill-Murray School (Minn.)
Julie Chu, Montreal Stars (CWHL)
Kendall Coyne, Northeastern University (HEA)
Brianna Decker¸ University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
Jillian Dempsey, Harvard University (ECACH)
Amanda Kessel, University of Minnesota (WCHA)   
Hilary Knight, University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
Jocelyne Lamoureux, University of North Dakota (WCHA)
Monique Lamoureux-Kolls, University of North Dakota (WCHA)
Erika Lawler, Boston Blades (CWHL)
Jenny Potter, Minnesota Whitecaps (WWHL)
Kelli Stack, Boston Blades (CWHL)
Taylor Wasylk, Boston College (HEA)

Team Canada

Goalkeepers:
Shannon Szabados, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (ACAC)
Geneviève Lacasse, Providence College (HE)
Charline Labonté, McGill University (CIS)

Defencemen:
Jocelyne Larocque, Manitoba Maple Leafs (WWHL)
Lauriane Rougeau, Cornell (ECAC)
Laura Fortino, Cornell (ECAC)
Courtney Birchard, Brampton (CWHL)
Meaghan Mikkelson, Alberta (CWHL)
Catherine Ward, Montreal (CWHL)
Tessa Bonhomme, Toronto (CWHL)

Forwards:
Meghan Agosta, Montreal (CWHL)
Rebecca Johnston, Cornell University (ECAC)
Gillian Apps, Brampton (CWHL)
Caroline Ouellette, Montreal (CWHL)
Jayna Hefford, Brampton (CWHL)
Bailey Bram, Mercyhurst College (CHA)
Brianne Jenner, Cornell (ECAC)
Jennifer Wakefield, Boston University (HE)
Haley Irwin, University of Minnesota-Duluth (WCHA)
Hayley Wickenheiser, University of Calgary (CWUAA)
Natalie Spooner, Ohio State University (WCHA)
Vicki Bendus, Brampton (CWHL)
Marie-Philip Poulin, Boston University (HE)