By USA Hockey, 08/30/25, 6:00AM EDT
Photo courtesy Igor Kupko
On Friday (Aug. 29), the team took a one-hour bus ride to Vysoké Tatry to take in the sites of Slovakia’s High Tatras mountain range during the country’s National Uprising Anniversary, a national holiday.
After the trip, the team enjoyed lunch at Route 66 Restaurant, and American-themed restaurant in the nearby town of Liptovsky Mikulas, where team host Jozef, a hockey player and rodeo cowboy, gave the players and staff a lesson on how to throw a lasso on the sidewalk outside of the restaurant.
Following lunch, the squad returned to the hotel for some rest and relaxation ahead of Saturday’s (Aug. 30) semifinal matchup against Great Britain.
Kelsey DiClaudio (Plum, Pa.) scored five goals and added an assist to help lift the U.S. Women’s National Sled Team to a 10-0 victory over Norway on Thursday (Aug. 28) in the preliminary round of the 2025 World Para Ice Hockey Women’s Championship at Winter Stadium.
With the win, Team USA won the Group A preliminary round with six points and a 2-0-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L) record. The U.S. will play in the semifinals on Saturday (Aug. 30) against Great Britain at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Every game from the tournament will stream live on the Paralympics YouTube and World Para Ice Hockey Facebook page.
Wednesday, Aug. 27 was a practice day for Team USA, who took for an hour-long session the ice in the afternoon.
The morning was highlighted by media coverage surrounding the team after the big win the day prior. Rebecca Mann (Mattapoisett, Mass.) was featured in an interview at the rink with World Para Ice Hockey, and her service dog, Sully, enjoyed the spotlight, lounging in the sun during the interview.
On Wednesday night, the team also attended a traditional Slovakian dinner, enjoying regional cuisine and getting a taste of the local culture ahead of its second preliminary round contest tomorrow against Norway.
Eight different players tallied a goal to help lift the U.S. Women’s National Sled Hockey Team to an 8-0 victory over Australia in the opening preliminary round-contest of the inaugural World Para Ice Hockey Women’s Championship at Winter Stadium on Tuesday (Aug. 26).
It was a historic victory, marking the first-ever win in U.S. Women's National Sled Team history, and WPIH Women's Championship history.
Kelsey DiClaudio's (Plum, Pa.) opening tally just 13 seconds into the contest is the first goal scored WPIH Women's Championship history as well.
For the full game recap, click here.
On the eve of the opening game day of the inaugural WPIH Women's Championship, the people of the city of Dolny Kubin gathered in the square to celebrate the athletes and nations who came to compete for gold here in Slovakia.
After a parade through the city, where supporters lined bridges and streets to cheer on the teams, the athletes, staff, and fans gathered for a presentation from the International Paralympic Committee, World Para Ice Hockey, and the local organizing committee, celebrating the start of this historic event.
Throughout the 2025 WPIH Women’s Championship, you’ll have a chance to learn about Team USA players through a Q&A feature. Today, it’s defender Monica Quimby (Bradenton, Fla.).
What’s your jersey number and why? My number is 16. It was a special number to me before I got paralyzed, and I was able to take it with me afterwards.
What’s your favorite hockey memory? The first time I saw my name on the back of Team USA sweater, and the first time hearing the national anthem at an international competition. Those were two moments that both made me super emotional, in a good way..
Do you have a pre-game routine? I have to always wear USA socks. It's a very specific thing I always do, so I have like 12 pairs. Today they have a cape.
Who’s your favorite musical artist, and your favorite song by them? CCR. Or Journey, Don't Stop Believing.
What’s your favorite TV show? Right now, it's Animal Kingdom on Netflix.
A busy day of practice, film, and team meetings was highlighted by the evening media shoot day, featuring two players from each of the six teams competing. Captain Erica McKee (Chicago, Ill.) and alternate captain Kelsey DiClaudio (Plum, Pa.) were representatives for the U.S., and enjoyed mingling with players from other teams posing for the special effects-enhanced action shots on the ice while teammate Katie Ladlie (Troy, Mo.) and equipment manager Mike Vaccaro supported from the bench.
The players also spent some moments with some local hockey fans who came out to support, including signing some autographs for young supporters.
Day two in Slovakia marked another practice day for Team USA. Following a quick seven-minute walk/roll to the arena from the hotel, which includes this scenic and well-decorated covered bridge across the Orava river, Team USA took the ice for another morning practice.
Later on, the team enjoyed a sunny afternoon and explored the town.
Throughout the 2025 WPIH Women’s Championship, you’ll have a chance to learn about Team USA players through a Q&A feature. Today, it’s forward Katie Ladlie (Troy, Mo.).
What’s your jersey number and why? I'm number two. I didn't pick my number, it was assigned to me, and I've stuck with it ever since.
What’s your favorite hockey memory? The first Women's World Challenge, winning that tournament in 2022 in Green Bay, that was an electric feeling and the start of everything for us and the women's game in general.
Do you have a pre-game routine? I stretch before games and warm up my shoulders as much as possible. I put my pads on the same way before a game.
Who’s your favorite musical artist, and your favorite song by them? I have a hodgepodge of artists, I will listen to anything. My favorite song right now is Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson, she always has some good songs.
What’s your favorite TV show? I will rewatch this all the time, it's Schitt's Creek, I love it so much.
After a long day of travel that saw the team fly into Krakow, Poland, from all across the United States, Team USA took the ice for the first time as the U.S. Women’s National Sled Team on Friday morning for a 90-minute session. The squad was joined by two Slovakian players who will be competing on Team World during the tournament.
Following practice, some players and staff opted to rest at the hotel, while others took to the town of Dolny Kubin to explore local stores, sights and restaurants, with the ice cream shop around the corner from the team hotel being a big hit.
Tag(s): News Women's Dev. Sled Team Home 2022 World Challenge 2023 World Challenge Women's World Challenge
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