GROWING THE GAME
Prior to the U.S. Women’s National Team’s practice this afternoon, Team USA captains Kendall Coyne Schofield (Palos Heights, Ill.), Kacey Bellamy (Westfield, Mass.) and Hilary Knight (Sun Valley, Idaho) stopped by to say hello to the nearly 60 girls hockey players on the ice for a clinic hosted by the New York Islanders. 

BACK ON THE ICE
The USWNT hit the ice at Northwell Health Ice Center again today for a midday practice. The women started with a skating progression and then broke into groups for position-specific skill work before wrapping up with some fun drills.

GET TO KNOW: MELISSA SAMOSKEVICH
Melissa Samoskevich, a senior forward at Quinnipiac University, is one of six U.S. players making her IIHF Women’s Worlds debut in 2019. Though she’s a two-time IIHF Under-18 Women’s Worlds medalist, she will make her first appearance at the senior level in Espoo.

Hometown: Sandy Hook, Conn.

Nickname: Samo

Sports she likes to play besides hockey: Golf

What she wants to do after hockey: Become an elementary school teacher

Coach she would like to thank from her playing career: Gordie Stafford from Shattuck-St. Mary’s

Her favorite quote to live by: "She slept with wolves without fear for the wolves knew a lion was among them."