USA Hockey today announced that goaltender Jen Yung Lee and forwards Rico Roman and Josh Sweeney of the San Antonio Rampage Sled Hockey Team have been selected to represent the 2011-12 U.S. National Sled Hockey Team.

The roster was selected following tryouts held in Rochester, N.Y., last month. Team USA will skate at several international events during the course of the year leading up to the 2012 International Paralympic Committee Ice Sledge Hockey World Championship next April in Hamar, Norway. A full 2011-12 schedule will be released by USA Hockey later this summer.

The 2011-12 U.S. National Sled Hockey Team roster consists of 15 returning members from last year’s squad, including Rampage sled hockey members Lee and Roman. Sweeney is one of two players that are first-year members to represent Team USA in 2011-12.

“I am thrilled to be able to represent Team USA and play with such a high caliber of talent,” said Sweeney. “I played hockey in high school so I have a good sense of the game; however playing on a sled is much different. The skill set is precise and the environment is fast paced. It is such an honor to make the team after playing for only one year.”

Sweeney, 24, is a native of Phoenix, Ariz. and joined the Rampage Sled Hockey Team in 2010. A former high school forward, Sweeney was injured by a roadside bomb in Nawzad, Afghanistan in October of 2009 which claimed both legs above the knee. He is a former enlisted Marine. 

“Making the team two years in a row is very exciting and is a great experience,” said Lee. “I am especially looking forward to this year now that we have three Rampage sled hockey members on the team.”

Lee, 25, is a native of San Francisco and joined the Rampage Sled Hockey Team in 2009. A former high school goalie, Lee was injured in a motorcycle accident in 2009 which claimed part of his left leg. He is currently enlisted with the U.S. Army and remains on active duty.

Roman, 30, is a native of Portland, Ore. and joined the Rampage Sled Hockey Team in 2008. He came to San Antonio in 2007 for rehabilitation at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) after suffering an injury which claimed his left leg when a roadside bomb exploded under his vehicle in Iraq.

The San Antonio Rampage Sled Hockey Team was the first team to form that consists of all wounded military service members. The team is run by Operation Comfort, a nonprofit organization that works with wounded service members coming from Iraq and Afghanistan who are recovering at BAMC in San Antonio, Texas. 

The Rampage Sled Hockey Team was formed in January 2007 and was adopted by the San Antonio Rampage shortly thereafter. The Rampage (AHL) continues to host various fundraising events, including their annual Military Appreciation Night, to raise money to support the Rampage Sled Hockey Team. The sled hockey team started with seven players and has quickly gained popularity in which the team now consists of more than 20 players.  The team began playing in tournaments in 2008 and has since traveled to Illinois, Utah, New York, Massachusetts, Missouri and throughout Texas.