2012 IIHF Women's World Championship Schedule Released

USA Hockey and the International Ice Hockey Federation jointly announced today the schedule for the 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championship in Burlington, Vt. The event will take place April 7-14 at Gutterson Fieldhouse and Cairns Arena and features the top female hockey players in the world.

"We're thrilled to be bringing this event back to the United States for the first time in a decade," said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. "We look forward to welcoming the teams and fans from around the world to Burlington and we know our fans are in for a real treat in seeing the best players in the world compete for the gold medal."

“Vermont is proud to be hosting the 2012 Women’s World Championship,” said Peter Shumlin, governor of the state of Vermont. “Vermont has a long hockey tradition and as the father of two daughters I can tell you that this tournament is a great way to show young female athletes that there are opportunities for women to excel in sports. I hope that having the opportunity to attend the Women's World Championship will inspire more girls to play hockey.”

Home to the University of Vermont men's and women's NCAA Division I ice hockey teams, Gutterson Fieldhouse will serve as the primary venue for the event. All U.S. and Canada games will be played at Gutterson, as well as the playoff and medal rounds. Cairns Arena, less than three miles from Gutterson, will serve as the secondary facility for the event.

Team USA has won the last three world championships and will begin its quest for No. 4 at the eight-nation tournament, beginning on April 7 when it faces Canada at Gutterson Fieldhouse.

"It's not too often that our fans in the New England region have a chance to see the best players in the world in their own backyard," said Katey Stone, U.S. Women's National Team head coach. "I anticipate the atmosphere will be electric .... just the way it should be for an event of this magnitude."

Ticket packages will go sale August 1 for the general public. The Gutterson Fieldhouse Package ($290) includes tickets to all 12 games at Gutterson, seat selection at the time of purchase, a commemorative ticket book and event scarf. The Cairns Package ($75) includes general admission seating to all games at Cairns (either nine or 10 games). Ticket information can be found at Burlington2012.com or by calling (802) 656-4410.

NOTES: The event will mark the third time the IIHF Women's World Championships have been held in the United States. Lake Placid, N.Y., was the host in 1994 and Minneapolis was the site in 2001 ... The U.S. is looking for its first gold medal on home soil in the event. Team USA earned silver at Lake Placid and Minneapolis ... Media accreditation information will be released at a future date ... Katey Stone, head women's ice hockey coach at Harvard University, will serve as head coach of the U.S. Women's National Team for 2011-12 ... For more information on the 2012 IIHF Women's World Championship, click here.

IIHF Women's World Championship Game Schedule
April 7-14 - Burlington, Vermont