1998 Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team Nominated for HOF

May 1, 2009

Northbrook, IL - The United States Olympic Committee and Allstate Insurance Company today announced the nominees for the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Class of 2009. Among the group is the 1998 U.S. Women's Ice Hockey Team, which upset four-time World Champion Canada in the championship game to capture gold in Nagano, and which featured two former Brown players, Tara Mounsey '02.5 and Katie King `97.

At the 1998 Nagano Games, Mounsey and King helped the United States capture the first gold medal in women's ice hockey, defeating Canada 3-1 in the championship game. King led the 6-0 United States in scoring with four goals and four assists, while Mounsey had two goals and two assists in the six contests.

In a unique spin on the traditional selection process, fans are allowed to vote for nominees, with the popular vote counting for 10% of the total. From now through June 16, fans can cast their votes for the 2009 class of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame online at . The inducted class will include five individuals, one team and one Paralympian, as well as three additional individuals: a coach, veteran and special contributor. The inductees will be revealed in early July and will be honored at a black-tie induction ceremony on August 12 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame presented by Allstate is the only national sports Hall of Fame that includes fan voting.

"The U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame honors Olympic and Paralympic legends who have inspired our country for generations, uniting us behind Team USA and giving us role models who epitomize the Olympic ideals," USOC acting CEO Stephanie Streeter said.

The August 12 induction ceremony will honor the 2009 U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame class and introduce a new international award - the Olive Branch Award - given to an individual or individuals who best represent the international ideals of the Olympic Games by working to build a peaceful and better world through sport. Also new to 2009, the induction ceremony will feature a special fundraising banquet to benefit Chicago 2016, Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Nominees for the induction class of 2009 were selected by a 10-person nominating committee consisting of athletes, members of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, historians, and USOC representatives. Fans can vote by visiting www.teamusa.org .