BOSTON - The Northeastern men's and women's hockey programs will represent the United States of America at the FISU World University Games in Lucerne, Switzerland, from Dec. 11-21, 2021, announced by Director of Athletics and Recreation Jeff Konya on Tuesday. The Huskies become the first university in having both its men's and women's teams wear the Red, White and Blue at this prestigious competition.

"Congratulations to the Northeastern University men's and women's hockey teams on being selected to represent the United State of America in the World University Games," said Nels Hawkinson, Deputy Head of Delegation for USA Team. "A special thanks to Jeff Konya and Northeastern University on this great honor. In fact, while we have had institutions like Kansas, Baylor and Louisville represent America in the summer version of this event in the sport of basketball, it is the first time a university will represent in the sport of hockey.

"This is a testament to the university and the athletics brand that Northeastern has built over the last four years and we cannot thank Jeff and the university for bringing this to fruition. We look forward to seeing the Huskies in Switzerland competing for a chance at a gold medal for the USA. This is a huge honor for you, the institution and collegiate hockey. Congratulations to the Team USA Huskies."

Assembled under the auspices of the United States International University Sport Federation, the USA University Team brings together the nation's most talented student-athletes, in global university-level competition organized by FISU, the governing body for university sport worldwide. With an impressive list of former University Team student-athletes going on to compete with distinction at Pan American and Olympic Games, as well as at the highest levels of professional sport, USA University Team provides a platform for future success.

"This opportunity speaks to the success of Northeastern as a global university and the Huskies brand," said Konya. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our student-athletes to represent the Red, White and Blue, while also creating a global experience for both the men's and women's hockey programs. We are thankful for being the first university selected to have both hockey programs represent Team USA." 

Staged every two years in a different city, the winter edition of the FISU World University Games is a celebration of international university sports and culture. With over 3,000 of the world's best winter sport student-athletes from more than 60 nations, the FISU World University Games is among the world's largest winter multi-sports events.

"It is indeed a pleasure to announce that Northeastern University Hockey will represent the United States in the upcoming World University Games in Lucerne, Switzerland," said Dan Guerrero, President of the United States International University Sports Federation. "As an institution known for producing nationally competitive men's and women's sides, we are excited about their prospects for earning medals and putting their university on the international map with class and pride."

Since 2001 for men's ice hockey and 2011 for women's ice hockey, the U.S. National University Team, which is traditionally organized by USA Hockey and composed of players that compete in the NCAA and American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), competes every two years in the Winter World University Games. Team USA has reached the medal round once in 2013, where it lost to Russia in the bronze medal game, taking fourth place. On the women's side, Team USA won the bronze medal twice in 2013 and '17. Last Winter Games in 2019, the women lost to Japan in overtime to finish fourth, while the men ended the competition in seventh place.

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