Sports

Anchorage forwards Hickel, Smelker get women's national team gig

Excellent news Thursday for forwards Zoe Hickel and Jordan Smelker of Anchorage.

The women, who soon will start their pro careers with the Boston Pride of the National Women's Hockey League, were named to the U.S. national team for the Four Nations Cup in Sweden, Nov. 4-8.

Hickel last spring won a world championship with Team USA. Smelker, meanwhile, will make her national team debut -- she has played for the American U-22 team.

Hickel starred at Minnesota-Duluth and Smelker starred at RPI.

Hickel is also a volunteer coach with the Merrimack College women's team, which includes freshman defenseman Felila Manu of Anchorage and freshman forward Madison Morey of Fairbanks.

Doyle Woody

Doyle Woody covered hockey and other sports for the Anchorage Daily News for 34 years.

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