U.S. Women’s National Hockey Team Begins Practice for Qwest Tour

BLAINE, Minn.-(Business Wire)-September 14, 2009 - The 2009-10 U.S. Women’s National Hockey Team is set and back at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minn., preparing for the 10-game Qwest Tour that kicks off in St. Paul on Sept. 25 and ends just prior to the start of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The team’s first practice will be held today at 10 a.m. CT at the Schwan Super Rink, part of the National Sports Center. Practice is open to the public.

To provide the ultimate interactive fan experience, Qwest has launched Qwest All Access, a website that features an online, behind-the-scenes video series from U.S. teammates Erika Lawler, a three-time member of the U.S. Women's National Team, and Angela Ruggiero, a three-time Olympic medalist.

Key Facts:

Erika Lawler, Angela Ruggiero and other members of the 2009-10 U.S. Women’s National Team will be available to speak with the media immediately following today’s practice.
The Qwest All-Access weekly video podcasts will feature Erika Lawler and Angela Ruggiero giving Team USA fans a behind-the-scenes look at life on the Qwest Tour. The online video series will run through the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C. Fans can subscribe for free to the Qwest All Access online video series through iTunes, RSS or e-mail.
In addition to the online video series, Qwest All Access will feature the Qwest ‘Pic of the Game’ following each stop on the Qwest Tour. Fans can click here to submit their photos.
Fans can also connect with Team USA during the Qwest Tour online and via text message alerts featuring player quotes, game scores, training tips and information on team appearances. To sign up for weekly text messages, text QTOUR to 95294 (standard text message rates apply).

Quotes:

Angela Ruggiero, 1998 Olympic Gold Medalist and Qwest Tour team member

“I’m psyched to be partnered with the Qwest. Coming off of a great national team season, the Pre-Olympic Qwest Tour will allow us to further showcase our skills and give America a preview of what’s to come in Vancouver! The Qwest All-Access feature will give me an opportunity to share my passion and love for the game with fans across America. The All-Access content will be up close and personal so fans can get a real look at what goes on and know just what it feels like to be part of all the action!”

Erika Lawler, Qwest Tour team member

“It has been an awesome couple of weeks! I’m ready to build on this momentum – from being selected for the Qwest Tour, to last week’s Hockey Canada Cup win. Now it’s time to give women’s hockey fans a taste of Qwest All Access, Erika Lawler-style. It’s exciting to be able to directly connect with our fans and show them what life on the road is really like.”

Rich Karlis, Director of Sponsorship

“Qwest is thrilled to get the Qwest Tour under way, and to connect fans directly with the Qwest Tour athletes. We wish the team the best of luck on the Qwest Tour; we know they will make us proud.”

Supporting Resources:

Check out the Qwest Tour’s official Web site: http://www.qwesttour.com
Tune into the Qwest All Access online video series featuring Angela Ruggiero and Erika Lawler: http://www.qwestallaccess.com/qwesttour
Follow the team on Twitter and Facebook: @QwestTour, @Angela Ruggiero http://www.facebook.com/USWomensHockey
Qwest Tour Media Guide includes team bios: http://usahockey.cachefly.net/Media/Womens/200910-wnt-guide.pdf

About the Qwest Tour:

The Qwest Tour, presented by Qwest Communications, will feature the 2009-10 U.S. Women's National Team playing a 10-game domestic tour that begins Sept. 25 and ends just prior to the start of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C. During that time, the U.S. squad will face off against Canada; Finland; all-star teams from the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, Hockey East and ECAC Hockey; and various other NCAA Division I women's ice hockey teams. For more details, including the full schedule and ticket information, visit www.QwestTour.com.

About Qwest:

Customers coast to coast turn to Qwest's industry-leading national fiber-optic network and world-class customer service to meet their communications and entertainment needs. For residential customers, Qwest offers a new generation of fiber-optic Internet service, high-speed internet solutions, as well as home phone, Verizon Wireless, and DIRECTV® services. Qwest is also the choice of 95 percent of Fortune 500 companies, offering a full suite of network, data and voice services for small businesses, large businesses, government agencies and wholesale customers. Additionally, Qwest participates in Networx, the largest communications services contract in the world, and is recognized as a leader in the network services market by a leading technology industry analyst firm.