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STOPs & STARTS USA Hockey News & UPDATES They said it "Because the pros are now in the Olympics, this is the next best thing because you have the best players in the world under the age of 20 performing in this tournament. It's a great event." —Don Lucia, who was named the head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team that will compete in the 2014 World Junior Championship Bronx Super Rink A Game Changer In NYC Women's Team Veterans Hang Up Competitive Skates aitlin Cahow and Karen Thatcher, teammates on the 2010 silver-medal winning U.S. Olympic Women's Team, officially announced their retirements one day apart in April, signaling an end to a combined 17 years of dedicated service to the U.S. Women's Program. Thatcher, a former Providence College Friar, finished her 10-year career with 16 goals, 15 assists and two gold medals at the 2008 and 2009 IIHF Women's World Championships. The Blaine, Wash., native played professional hockey for six years for the Vaughn Flames, Boston Blades, BC Breakers and Minnesota Whitecaps. "It's incredibly difficult to step away from playing the game you love, but I do so having experienced a lifetime of unparalleled memories," Thatcher said. "Pulling on a USA-emblazoned jersey and taking the ice with your teammates is an indescribable feeling that I will cherish forever." Cahow suited up for Team USA C 04 June/July. 2013 106 times during her seven-year career and scored 21 goals and had 37 assists. The Harvard University standout won a bronze medal at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, and three gold medals in IIHF Women's World Championship competition. The Branford, Conn., native played four years professionally for the Boston Blades and Minnesota Whitecaps. "I'm so proud to have been a part of helping this program grow to the level it has, and I'm inspired with where it's going," said Cahow, who was named the 2008 Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year. "My time with USA Hockey has changed my life forever, and my experiences with my teammates have forged incredible friendships. I will always be a part of Team USA, but now it's time for new challenges." Yankee Stadium, one of the most hallowed halls in all of sports, will soon have a new neighbor in the Bronx with the $275 million transformation of the Kingsbridge Armory into the Kingsbridge National Ice Center. The 750,000 square-foot facility, backed by NHL Hall of Famer Mark Messier and Olympic figure skater Sarah Hughes, will feature nine yearround indoor rinks, including three Olympic and six NHL-sized rinks, making it the largest indoor ice sports facility in the country. It will also feature a 5,000-seat center showrink that will host major hockey and figure skating events ranging from local youth events to international showcases. "The construction of the world's largest indoor ice rink facility will create recreational opportunities for millions of visitors and local residents, and most importantly create hundreds of jobs for the local community," said NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg. In addition to hosting numerous hockey games and figure skating events, the KNIC will help grow interest in various other Olympic sports, including speed skating and curling. The facility will also offer a wellness center, off-ice training, fitness, rehabilitation and sports therapy programs, dressing rooms and retail space. Messier credits Bloomberg for helping the city make the first step in growing the sport locally. "As a hockey player I believe the Kingsbridge National Ice Center will change the sport in the metropolitan area," Messier said. "As a New Yorker, I know it will also change this city, providing invaluable educational and athletic opportunity to thousands of young people, and transforming the Bronx into the new center of ice sports in the United States." Karen Thatcher, above left, and Caitlin Cahow played in a combined three Olympics and five IIHF Women's World Championships over the course of their careers. USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM Photos courtesy of Images on Ice (2); Larry Radloff; NYC Mayors Office