USA Hockey's replacement player search for women's team hits high school ranks

USA Hockey has hit up the high school ranks for replacement players for next week’s IIHF Women’s World Championship and at least two have said “no.”

Natalie Snodgrass, a senior at Eastview High in Apple Valley, Minn., and a standout on last year’s Under-18 Women’s World Championship team, wrote on Twitter on Friday that USA Hockey had reached out to her.

Cayla Barnes, captain of the U18 team, also wrote on Twitter that she has turned down an offer. Barnes, a defender from New Hampton School in New Hampshire, has represented the U.S. in a number of international events, including the U18 worlds three times. She was the American Family Insurance ALL-USA Girls Hockey Player of the Year in 2015-16.

USA Hockey announced Thursday that it would reach out to replacement players, and Friday dozens shared on social media that they had turned down the offer to replace the 23 players who have vowed to boycott the World Championship in an effort to garner better wages and other support for the team.

MORE:

U.S. women's hockey team members share bold messages on social media

U.S. Women's National Hockey Team receiving major support in USA Hockey dispute

Reached late Friday by USA TODAY Sports, Snodgrass referred questions to Team USA captain Meghan Duggan. Duggan did not immediately respond to a text message from USA TODAY Sports.

USA Hockey spokesperson Dave Fischer declined to comment.

Contributing: Josh Barnett