Jincy Dunne returns to USA Hockey

For the first time since returning to the ice in the fall, Ohio State University defenseman Jincy Dunne will rejoin USA Hockey. Dunne is among 37 invitees to the Women's Winter Training Camp in preparation for a two-game series against Team Canada later this month.

Dunne’s journey closely parallels that of fellow camp invitee Amanda Kessel. Both players had their careers called into serious question after concussions; Dunne’s injury sidelined her for 581 days and took away the entire 2015-2016 playing season, while Kessel missed all of 2014-2015 before returning on February 3, 2016. Both were injured at what should have been high points in their careers for USA Hockey: Dunne after scoring the golden goal at the 2015 U18 World Championships, Kessel at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Ten other college players were invited to camp, including 2016 NWHL draft picks Dani Cameranesi and Lee Stecklein, both of the University of Minnesota. Minnesota is tied with Boston College for the most number of representatives on the roster with three apiece. Boston College goaltender Kaitlin Burt, Dunne’s former U18 teammate, has merited her first USA Hockey camp invitation since beginning her collegiate career; fellow Eagle and invitee Megan Keller is the fastest defenseman in program history to reach 75 points.

The University of Wisconsin contributes defenseman Jenny Ryan and forward Annie Pankowski, who sits third on the Badgers’ points list with 13. Goaltender Maddie Rooney comes from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, while Quinnipiac’s only invitee, forward Taylar Cianfarano, currently leads the Bobcats in points with 20.

With 2018 in sight and an already impressive international resume, Dunne will be looking to build on her reputation and put herself in the PyeongChang conversation. “I’d like to be part of that team,” she told Sports Illustrated in October. “It's such an honor...to wear the USA jersey. There's no greater honor, personally.”