March 31, 2008

Women's ice hockey junior forward Mari Pehkonen (Tampere, Finland) will be participating in the 2008 women's ice hockey world championship for Team Finland. Team USA will include former Friar Karen Thatcher '06 as well as Jackie Barto '84, who will serve as the team's Head Coach. The tournament will take place from April 4-11 in Harbin, People's Republic of China.

Pehkonen is a seasoned veteran for Team Finland, having appeared in the 2006 Olympics and the 2007 World Championship as well as the 2007 Four Nations Cup. Pehkonen finished the year as the Friars' third leading scorer with 20 points on nine goals and 11 assists. For her play in the Hockey East Tournament, including two goals versus Connecticut in PC's 5-1 upset win in the semifinals, Pehkonen was named to the All-Tournament Team for the second consecutive season.

While at Providence, Thatcher finished her record-breaking career with 167 points in 132 games played as she had a hand in PC's Hockey East Tournament titles in 2004 and 2005. Thatcher ranks 10th in career points. A top-10 Patty Kazmaier Finalist, Thatcher led the team in scoring for the second straight time in 2005 with 47 points. She earned the Hockey East Sportsmanship award three consecutive seasons as well as All-Academic honors. Thatcher was named an All-America second team selection, a Hockey East All-Star, New England Hockey Writers All-Star, and Providence College Athlete of the Year in her final season with the Friars.

Barto, currently the head coach at The Ohio State University, tallied 113 goals and 87 assists for 200 points as a Friar. Her 200 points are the fifth most all-time at PC. Barto also served as the head coach of the women's hockey team, at PC, leading the Friars to the 1995 ECAC Title.

Nine international teams have qualified for the Championship tournament. Team USA, along with Germany and Switzerland, have been placed in Group B while Finland has been placed in Group C, along with Japan and Sweden. Thatcher, Barto and Team USA will open play versus Germany on April 4 while Pehkonen and Team Finland will play their first game on April 5, versus Japan.