The New York village played a role in all three of their careers and is set to welcome them back at the 2023 International University Sports Federation (FISU) Winter World University Games, scheduled to begin today and run until January 22.

Terpening returns to the Adirondacks from her training home of Milwaukee in Wisconsin where she is coached by Olympic champion Bonnie Blair of the US who won five gold medals at Calgary 1988, Albertville 1992, and Lillehammer 1994.

Lake Placid was where Terpening met coach Tom Miller who introduced her to long track.

"I'm really excited to be back in Lake Placid," Terpening said.

"It's such a magical place.

"I'm excited to introduce hidden spots in the town to my teammates who are coming and you know, have basically the whole world in Lake Placid again."

The 24-year-old Tsukimoto is a graduate of Northwood School in the village where she played for four years.

Now a student at Hokkai-Gakuen University in Sapporo she is a forward on Japan's women's ice hockey outfit.

She moved to Lake Placid at the age of 15 where her existing love of the sport was able to flourish.

Japan are third seeds for the tournament and are facing second-favourites, the US, in the opener for both teams tomorrow.

Ray is also a former student of Northwood School and is currently a sophomore forward with National Collegiate Athletic Association division three team King's College in Pennsylvania.

He has played in nine games this season and found the net twice.

"Oh my god, being able to come back to where it all started, my development playing in the US where I've spent three years of my high school career, it's just an amazing thing," Ray said.

"Having all my teachers maybe come and watch and being able to visit my old coaches will be really special."

Sweden is seeded eighth in the 12-team men's tournament.