Four former University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey players will take part in the Rivalry Series series between United States and Canada this week, set for Nov. 8 in Tempe, Arizona, and Nov. 11 in Los Angeles, California.

Gabbie Hughes will skate for the U.S., while Ashton Bell and Joecelyne Lacrocque will represent Canada. Former Bulldog and international hockey legend Caroline Ouellette will serve as an assistant coach for Canada in the series.
 

Hughes closed the books on one of the most prolific offensive careers in Bulldog program history this past March. The All-American center ranks fifth all-time on the UMD scoring chart with 214 career points in 165 games, and owns the third most career assists in program history with 133. With 46 points this past season, Hughes, who had 59 a year ago,  was the first player since Ashleigh Brykaliuk posted back-to-back 45 points-plus seasons in 2015-16 (47 points) and 2016-17 (45 points). . 

Two former All-American defensemen -- Ashton Bell and Jocelyne Larocque -- will man the blueline for Canada. Larocque is a three-time Olympian with Canada (and two-time Olympic gold medalist), while Bell joined Larocque on the 2022 Canadian gold medal winning squad. Bell -- a two=time All-American --  was second in scoring for the Bulldogs last season, compiling a career-best 12 goals in addition to 21 assists for a career-high 33 points over 39 games, and was named a finalist for the WCHA Defender of the Year after earning a 2022-23 All-WCHA First Team selection. Larocque, a two-time First Team All-American and the first UMD defenseman ever to land the honor twice, was also the 2010-11 WCHA Defensive Player of the Year and helped UMD win NCAA titles in both 2008 and in 2010.

The Bulldog duo will be joined over the week by another two-time Bulldog First Team All-American, Ouellette, who will be serving as an assistant coach. Ouellette, a four-time Olympic gold medalist with Canada in her own right, was recently inducted into the UMD's 2023 Hall of Fame Class last this month.