The Pan American Hockey Federation is pleased to announce the 2017 Pan American Elite Teams.
Since 2007, Pan American Elite Teams have been named every two years to recognize the top players in Pan American competitions. For the first time this year, separate Indoor Elite teams will be named and will be announced in a few days.
Hockey specialists present at the 2017 Pan American Cups in Lancaster, USA, were consulted for the selection of this year’s Elite Teams.
The 2017 Men's Pan American Elite Team is led by Canadian defender Scott TUPPER, who is selected a remarkable fifth time to the PAHF Elite Team, a record he shares with Argentinian Lucas VILA and Trinidadian veteran Kwandwane BROWNE. Browne was on the first PAHF Elite Team back in 2009 and only missed making the 2015 Elite squad due to injury. At the other end of the spectrum, seven players make their first appearance on the Elite roster, including Argentinian Olympic Gold Medalists Pedro IBARRA and Agustin MAZZILLI.
Pan American Cup finalists Argentina and Canada have the strongest representation with five and four players respectively, including Canadian David CARTER with the nod for the goal-keeping position for the third time (following 2009 and 2015). The achievements of the USA and Trinidad & Tobago, semi-finalists in Lancaster, are rewarded with the nomination of two and three players respectively.
Altogether, the 2017 Men’s Pan American Elite Team is made up of players from six different countries: Argentina (5), Canada (4), Trinidad & Tobago (3), USA (2), Brazil (1) and Chile (1). The average age is 28.4 years old.
The 2017 Women's Pan American Elite Team is headed by young Chilean sensation Denise KRIMERMAN, who was instrumental in leading her team to a Pan American Cup Silver Medal. She is closely followed in the voting by Americans Kathleen SHARKEY and Melissa GONZALEZ, and Argentinian stalwarts Florencia HABIF and Delfina MERINO.
Chilean Camilla CARAM is the only player appearing for the fourth time on the Elite roster, with impressive Canadian striker Brienne STAIRS making her third Elite appearance and Chilean Claudia SCHÜLER voted for the third time as goal-keeper (following 2009 and 2013).
Pan American Cup finalists Argentina and Chile dominated the voting, with four players selected each, while semi-finalists USA and Canada are recognized with the selection of three players each.
Altogether, six countries are represented on the 2017 Women’s Pan American Elite Team: Argentina (4), Chile (4), USA (3), Canada (3), Uruguay (1) and Mexico (1). The average age is 25.9 years old.
| 2017 Pan American Elite Teams | ||||
| Men | Women | |||
| Kwandwane BROWNE | TTO | Noel BARRIONUEVO | ARG | |
| David CARTER (GK) | CAN | Camila CARAM | CHI | |
| Pat HARRIS | USA | Marlet CORREA | MEX | |
| Pedro IBARRA | ARG | Rachel DONOHOE | CAN | |
| Gordon JOHNSTON | CAN | Melissa GONZALEZ | USA | |
| Aki KAEPPELER | USA | Florencia HABIF | ARG | |
| Tariq MARCANO | TTO | Karli JOHANSEN | CAN | |
| Agustin MAZZILLI | ARG | Denise KRIMERMAN [C] | CHI | |
| Lucas PAIXÃO | BRA | Delfina MERINO | ARG | |
| Matias PAREDES | ARG | Agustina NIETO | URU | |
| Gonzalo PEILLAT | ARG | María Paula ORTIZ | ARG | |
| Martin RODRIGUEZ | CHI | Claudia SCHÜLER (GK) | CHI | |
| Akim TOUSSAINT | TTO | Kathleen SHARKEY |
USA | |
| Scott TUPPER [C] | CAN | Brienne STAIRS | CAN | |
| Floris VAN SON | CAN | Manuela URROZ | CHI | |
| Lucas VILA | ARG | Michelle VITTESE | USA | |
For more information on the PAHF competitions and programs, please visit the Pan American Hockey Federation web site at www.panamhockey.org.
The Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF) is recognized by the FIH as the governing continental federation for all field hockey in the Pan American region. There are 29 member Nations of the PAHF. For more information please contact info@panamhockey.org.
