The Russia Olympic Team officially announced Tuesday what most international hockey fans already assumed --  former University of Minnesota Duluth forwards Aleksandra Vafina and Iya Gavilrova will be part of the host nation's Olympic squad next month.

Both Olympians in 2010 for Russia, Vafina and Gavrilova become the 10th and 11th former Bulldogs who will represent six different countries in Sochi.  Both also won bronze with Russia this past spring in the 2013 IIHF World Championship.

Current UMD defenseman Tea Villila and Lara Stalder will each join their respective Olympic squads this week and are expected to miss the Bulldogs next eight games.  UMD travels to Madison, Wisc. this weekend to face the No. 2 University of Wisconsin.