Six players from Minnesota -- four forwards and two defenders -- will be on the U.S. team which will compete in the 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation under-18 women's world championships.

The eight-team tournament will be held from Dec. 31 to Jan. 7 in Prerov and Zlin in the Czech Republic.

Named to the U.S. team were forwards Dani Cameranesi of Plymouth, Katie Flug of Roseville, Molly Illikainen of Grand Rapids and Kate Schipper of Brooklyn Park and defenders Lee Stecklein of Roseville and Samantha LaShomb of Inver Grove Heights.

Stecklein is one of seven returning players who played on a U.S. team which won the gold medal in this tournament in 2011.