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are more detail-oriented and think the game at a higher level. Two of those were familiar faces in former Bulldogs teammates Maddie Rooney and Sydney Brodt, both of whom regularly appear with the USWNT. Playing on a different team than the two Minnesotans was a fun experience for Hughes, who had some other familiar faces on her camp team. "Reuniting with some of the girls that I played with on the (2017 gold medal-win- ning) U-18 Worlds team when I was in high school and seeing them again," she said. "Just seeing them at those camps, it makes it so much fun to reconnect with them and to see how much everyone has grown in their game. "You always know that someone out there is working harder than you, but to go and see that everyone is still improving in their game, it makes you realize that you got to keep going and work harder than everyone else. It's a cool experience to see that and have that little reminder." The work, Hughes believes, is paying off in her development. She is growing as a player, as is Snodgrass. The University of Connecticut captain came a long way from getting on her first national team "as a fluke" at 16 after a player got hurt and she flew out to Buffalo the day before the tournament. With that experience under her belt, Snodgrass was much more comfortable the following year during the 2016 U-18 World Championships. The Eagan native was able to find a sense of calmness and focus on her game. She led the entire team in goals with six, including the overtime game-winning golden goal against Canada. "With every (opportunity), I get more and more comfortable," Snodgrass said. "I'm a senior in college now. I know the way that I can play and know what (USA Hockey) is expecting out of me. The sense of com- fort and familiarity comes from what USA Hockey sees in me and what I can expect to bring to the table." Snodgrass is happy with the feedback she has gotten, believing she is close to making a World Championships roster. Her inter- national role is different from the one she plays at Connecticut. It's more about cre- ating turnovers and doing the small things as a forward than being the top offensive threat. The same can be said for Wethington on defense. She wants to be reliable, move the puck quickly and be a shut- down defenseman. Typically more offensive-minded with the Gophers, Wethington is more than willing to adapt for Team USA. "The more experience I get playing with the type of tal- ent the U.S. produces is a great opportunity. I feel like I contin- ue to grow with the number of camps I get invited to," she said. "Something I took away from that camp is being a team player and trying to know your role." In the face of a successful camp, both on the ice and in USA Hockey implementing a successful bubble, the four Minnesotans know what it takes for future success. They aren't alone, as the hockey world adapts and changes in the face of a global pandemic. Being able to see where the experience is getting them and adapting to the situation brings changes in future goals as well. "These are all elite players and peo- ple we have our eye on, not only for the Olympics in 2022, but further down the road," Million said. It's a connection the Minnesotans share— striving in the dream of being the next gen- eration of women's hockey players from the state to represent their country. They know each other well. Even Snodgrass, who got the opportunity to see her family for a few hours before the camp, skates together when she is back home during the summer. "Being from Minnesota is the best. Everyone expects us to be hockey gurus, which we are," said Snodgrass. "Even if a high school team isn't the greatest, a superstar can be born from it. Minnesota should take some serious pride in produc- ing so many star players." After an unusual October camp, she's among a group comfortable working towards being the next Minnesotans singing the national anthem. Left: Madeline Wethington celebrates U-18 Women's Worlds gold. Above: Red Wing's Taylor Heise is no stranger to Team USA. Photo / USA Hockey 23 J A N / F E B 2 0 2 1 | M H J ON L I N E . C O M