Palmer's Weiland One Step Closer To Olympics

Defenseman Kerry Weiland of Palmer today was named to USA Hockey’s women’s national team, moving her one step closer to the 2010 Olympics.

Weiland, 28, was one of 23 players selected to the national team after 41 players took part in last week’s National Women’s Festival in Blaine, Minn. The national team roster will be trimmed to 21 prior to next year’s Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Weiland could become the third Alaskan to play hockey in the Olympics. Center Scott Gomez of Anchorage and goaltender Pam Dreyer of Eagle River both played in the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Italy. Gomez, 29, is Alaska’s most accomplished hockey player – he has twice won the Stanley Cup and has played nine seasons in the NHL. Dreyer, 28, is retired from hockey.

Weiland has helped the U.S. to gold medals at each of the last two world championships, and also has earned two silver medals at the world championships.

Since graduating in 2003 from Wisconsin, where she was a two-time All-American blueliner, she has played professionally and also has represented the U.S. in 46 international games.

USA Hockey today announced a 23-player roster that includes 13 forwards, seven defensemen and three goalies.