12/21/2009 4:37:13 PM
CALGARY, Alberta -- Rebecca Johnston, a member of the Cornell women's ice hockey program who has taken the 2009-10 school year off to train for a spot on the Canadian Olympic Team, has seen that dream come true with the official announcement of the team on Monday afternoon in Calgary, Alberta. Johnston will compete with Team Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, British Columbia, beginning on Feb. 13.
Johnston, who has been centralized in training with the Canadian Olympic Team program since August, was among the 21 players selected to represent Canada in the Olympics. She is one of seven first-time Olympians on the roster and the second-youngest player to make the team, with Marie-Philip Poulin of Quebec 18 months younger.
Johnston, who wears the number 6 for Team Canada, is the second player with Cornell ties to represent Canada in the women's hockey competition at the Winter Olympics, as Dana Antal was a member of the 2002 gold medal-winning team at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Team Canada is coached by Melody Davidson, who served as head coach of the Cornell women's hockey program from 2005-05, the direct predecessor to current head coach Doug Derraugh.
Canada's Olympic Schedule (all times local to Vancouver)
Sat., Feb. 13 - vs. Slovakia, 5 p.m.
Mon., Feb. 15 - vs. Switzerland, 2:30 p.m.
Wed., Feb. 17 - vs. Sweden, 2:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 20 - vs. TBA (placement round)
Mon., Feb. 22 - vs. TBA (semifinals/placement)
Thurs., Feb. 25 - vs. TBA (gold medal/bronze medal games)