Oct. 28, 2003

AMHERST, Mass. - University of Massachusetts hockey player Stephen Werner (Chevy Chase, Md.) was one of 16 players named to the preliminary roster for the 2004 United States National Junior Team, which will compete at the 2004 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championships, held in Finland on Dec. 26, 2003 - Jan. 5, 2004. The 10-nation tournament features the world's top ice hockey players under 20 years of age.

Werner, a sophomore forward, is UMass' first-ever selection to the National Junior Team. Werner was a member of the United States National Junior Development Program before coming to UMass, and was one of 13 players on this year's team that captured the gold medal at the 2002 IIHF Under-18 World Champhionship.

"We are obviously very excited for Stephen and our hockey program, in general, that he was named to the squad," said UMass Head Coach Don "Toot" Cahoon. "USA Hockey knows the kind of player they are getting, and he has proven himself in not only collegiate hockey, but also in international competition. All parties are obviously very excited about this honor."

Last season, Werner led all Hockey East freshmen in scoring with 38 points (16 g, 22 a), which ranked him sixth nationally. He was named as a unanimous selection to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team, earned Hockey East Rookie of the Month honors in March and was the only freshman named to the Hockey East All-Tournament Team. So far this season, Werner has four points (0 g, 4 a). His 42 points already ranks 21st on UMass' Division I all-time scoring list.

No. 14-ranked UMass will battle 15th-ranked Providence in a key early-season contest on Friday, Oct. 31, at the Mullins Center at 7:00 p.m. For ticket information, call the UMass ticket office at 1-866-UMASS-TIX.