Smart named to Canadian squad

University of Maine goalie Lara Smart has been named to the Canadian Under-22 hockey team which will participate in the 2002 USA Hockey Women’s Festival in Lake Placid, N.Y. later this week.

The Canadian and American U-22 teams will play a three-game series beginning Wednesday. The final two games will be Thursday and Saturday.

Several members of the 2002 Canadian and American Olympic teams will play in the series. Canada won the gold medal in Salt Lake City by beating the United States in the final.

Smart, an Airdrie, Alberta native, was one of 29 players who tried out for the Canadian Olympic team but was one of seven who was cut.

She was 5-6-1 for the Black Bears last season with a 2.50 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage. She missed most of her freshman season with a groin injury.

Choice Hotels named AE sponsor

Choice Hotels International has signed on to become the official hotel partner of the America East Conference and the title sponsor for the conference’s men’s basketball tournament.

It is the first title sponsorship for the America East Men’s Basketball championship since its inception in 1979-80 when it was known as the ECAC-North Championship.

Choice brands will be promoted exclusively to America East athletic directors and coaches, who annually generate approximately 14,000 room nights.

Choice will supply America East with a centralized number for hotel reservations and discounted room rates at over 3300 properties throughout North America.

Choice Hotels International franchises more than 5,000 hotels, inns, all-suite hotels and resorts open and under development in 42 countries. They fall under the Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Sleep, Rodeway Inn, Econo Lodge and MainStay suites brands.

“We are tremendously pleased to have Choice Hotels International as the sponsor of our men’s basketball championship,” said America East Commissioner Chris Monasch. “We appreciate Choice Hotels’ support of America East and our nine institutions and look forward to a long-term partnership.”

Brian Parker, the director of sports marketing and sales for Choice Hotels International, said, “The partnership will generate revenue for our franchises and also enhance Choice’s corporate identity and brand image in the sports marketplace and for that we are truly excited. We’re looking forward to providing sports teams from America East institutions with quality accommodations while they’re on the road competing.”

The quarterfinal and semifinal rounds of the tournament will be held at Boston University’s Walter Brown Arena on March 9-10 with the final being played at the home court of the higher seed on March 15 at 11:30 a.m.