2002-03 Connecticut Polar Bears Highlights 

First things first--Our 2003 Graduates. Our 2003 graduates demonstrated that they understand the importance of performing in the classroom. They will attend the following colleges.

Kristine Dufour             University of Wisconsin  

Caroline Ethier              Dartmouth College

Kate Hession                 Princeton University

Kim Pearce                    Princeton University

Emily Vitt                     Harvard University

Jess Wilson                   Boston College

 We wish them continued success in the classroom and on the ice.

 19U Team Loses in Final at U. S. National Tournament; Final Four Streak at Eight

The 19U team lost its first game of the year in the National Final played in Philadelphia, PA on April 6, 2003. Assabet Valley, MA defeated the Bears 4-2 in a well played final.

Beginning with the North American Tournament in Vermont in September 2002, the Bears won every game and every tournament in which they competed until the final.

The Bears kept alive their Final Four Streak. For the eighth consecutive year, the Bears reached the Semifinal at the U. S. National Tournament in the 19U Division. In seventeen years of competition at the 19U level, the Bears have reached the Final Four fourteen times.

 12U Team, Royals 

The 12U Royals team won the Connecticut State tournament and went on to WIN the New England Regional Tournament in Burlington, VT.

 Six Bears Selected to 2003 National Team

Six Polar Bears were among the eighteen skaters named to the 2003 National Team. Olympians, Julie Chu, Angela Ruggiero, and A.J. Mleczko, were named along with three other Bears, Kim Insalaco, Gen Richardson, and Jess Tabb. The World Tournament scheduled in China was cancelled due to the SARS outbreak.

Chu, Ruggiero, Richardson, and Tabb were members of the 1995 Peewee team that won the U. S Nationals in Syracuse.

 Eight Bears at Harvard

The 2002-03 Harvard team set a new record for Polar Bear graduates. Eight Bears were members of the team which lost in the National Championship Final in OT. Team members were: Julie Chu, Angela Ruggiero, Jamie Hagerman, Pam VanReesema, Jess Ruddock, Kat Sweet, Abra Kinkopf, and Jen Skinner.

 Awards at Brown

Two former Bears received awards for their play this year at Brown. Courtney Johnson received the Panda Cup for demonstrating outstanding team spirit, good sportsmanship, and dedication to playing hockey. Katie Guay received the Most Valuable Player Award; Guay, a Sophomore, was named a Captain for next year's team.