Four Eagles will compete for US in the Czech Republic

Chestnut Hill, Mass. - Four current and future members of the Boston College women's ice hockey team will travel to the Czech Republic as the United States competes for the 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) U18 Championship from Dec. 31 - Jan. 7. In an announcement made via Twitter (@USAHockey) on Thursday morning, freshman center Alex Carpenter, as well as 2012 NLI signees defender Kaliya Johnson, forward Haley Skarupa and forward Dana Trivigno were named to the U18 squad.

Carpenter will be making her third appearance at the IIHF U18 World Championship. The North Reading, Mass. native has earned silver (2010) and gold (2011) in the previous two tournaments. Carpenter leads the Eagles with 18 points and a team-high nine goals. The center's 1.20 points per game is fifth best in the Hockey East Conference, as well as the nation among rookies.

Skarupa joins Carpenter as the only other member of the team that will attend the world championship for a third time. Trivigno is one of five players that got the nod for a second tournament. Johnson earned her way onto the lineup after an appearance with the U18 Select Team this past summer. All three were highly touted recruits, before signing national letters of intent with Boston College in November. The complete roster can be found here.

Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Russia, Sweden and Switzerland aim to knock Team USA off its throne. The U.S. captured its third world title in four years at the 2011 tournament and have been paired with Russia, Sweden and the Czech Republic for group play.

The championship, entering its fifth year, will be hosted by the cities of Prerov and Zlin. The U.S. will meet Russia in the opening skate on Saturday, Dec. 31 at 11 a.m. (EST).

For the latest news and updates about Team USA at the IIHF World Championship, please visit the USA Hockey blog.

2012 Women's IIHF U18 World Championship

Prerov and Zlin, Czech Republic

Date                Time (EST)        Opponent

Sat. Dec. 31      11 a.m.             Russia

Sun. Jan. 1       1 p.m.               Sweden

Tues. Jan. 3      1 p.m.               Czech Republic

Wed. Jan. 4      9 a.m.               Quarterfinal 1

Wed. Jan. 4      1 p.m.               Quarterfinal 2

Fri. Jan. 6         9 a.m.               Semifinal 1

Fri. Jan. 6         1 p.m.               Semifinal 2

Sat. Jan. 7        9 a.m.               Bronze-Medal Game

Sat. Jan. 7        1 p.m.               Gold-Medal Game