USA Hockey Release

TROY, N.Y. – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) student-athlete Jordan Smelker has been selected to represent the United States on the the U.S. Women's National Under-22 Select Team that will play a three-game series against Canada from August 16-19 at the WinSport Canada Athletic & Ice Complex in Calgary, Alberta. Smelker, who will be a junior for the Engineers this season, is one of 12 forwards selected.
 
Smelker, a native of Anchorage, Alaska, played in all 34 games in 2011-12 and led the squad in points with 26 and assists with 16.  She added 10 goals, which was good for second overall, of which two came on the power play, one was short-handed and another was a game-winner. In 22 ECAC Hockey contests, Smelker was second on the squad with five goals and nine assists for 14 points.
 
The former Team Alaska 19U standout was a consistent offensive presence for Rensselaer last season, having recorded a point or more in 17 games.  Among her top games was a 5-0 shutout victory at Yale where she scored a goal and assisted on two others.  She also posted a goal and an assist in a two-game series against Wisconsin, the nation's top-ranked team.
 
As a freshman, Smelker appeared in all 35 games for the Engineers, leading all rookies and finishing second overall in scoring with 20 points on 10 goals and 10 assists. She also led the team in power play goals (4) and added a game-tying and a game-winning marker.
 
Smelker closed out the 2010-11 season ranked 24th-nationally in points per game by a rookie (0.57) and eighth among ECAC Hockey freshmen.  Additionally, she notched at least one point in 14 games, including three multiple point contests. 

The series will begin on Thursday (Aug. 16) at 7 p.m. (MDT).  Game two is slated for Friday (Aug. 17) at 7 p.m. and the final contest will be played at 10 a.m. on Sunday (Aug. 19).   Real-time updates from the games will be available on Twitter @usahockeyscores.