University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Profile: Freshman Baylee Gillanders
8/5/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
Periodically throughout the summer, gophersports.com will get to know incoming freshmen. This week's edition is defenseman Baylee Gillanders. Signing during the early National Signing Period, Gillanders is one of three incoming Canadians to attend the University of Minnesota and one of two from the Warner Hockey School. Hailing from Kyle, Sask., Gillanders was a member of the Under-18 Canadian Under-18 Team. Below is her bio and a short question and answer session.
Gillanders File: Played at Warner Hockey School and a past member of the Canadian Under-18 Team • Led the Warner defensemen in scoring with 18 goals and 25 assists for 43 points in 54 games played • Member of the Warner Hockey Team that were JWHL Champions • Was named Warner’s top defenseman in 2009-10 • Also played with Team Saskatchewan at the 2009 Under-18 National Championships • Played in the Canada/USA Under-18 Series in 2009 • Attended both the Under-18 selection and strength and conditioning/skating camps in 2009 • In 2008-09 with Warner, played in 24 games, scoring six goals and eight assists for 14 points • Prior to her time at Warner, played with Swift Current and helped the team reach the SFMAAAHL in 2007, 2008 and 2009 • In 2008-09 with Swift Current, scored 14 goals and 24 assists for 52 games • Was a member of the Wildcats team that won the Mac's Midget Tournament with in 2007 and 2008, being named the top defenseman and to the first all-star team in 2008.
Personal: A 2010 graduate of Warner • Born August 9, 1992 to Brock and Kathy Gillanders • Third sibling to play collegiate hockey as her brother, Dustin, played at Colgate and her sister, Kali, plays at Clarkson • Shoots left • Undecided on a major.
Gophersports.com: You're coming to Minnesota after playing at Warner. Can you talk about your former school and your experience there?
Baylee Gillanders: During my experience in Warner I made a lot of great memories along with friends. Warner is very small, but the community is very supportive of Warner hockey which is a great thing to have. I learned a lot from the coaching staff. Mikko Makela was an excellent teacher of not only the game but also life skills. Warner was a very good transition for me going to University this coming year. We won the J.W.H.L. League championship this year, I will miss it, but I am also very excited to get started in Minnesota.
GS: You played with fellow teammate Sarah Davis at Warner. Is it nice to have someone you know coming to Minnesota with you?
BG: It definitely makes going to a new school and team a bit easier for me. It will be nice to have someone that I know and am close too. I am sure Sarah is just as excited so that she has someone to look after her.
GS: Minnesota plays Clarkson to open the season and your sister plays for the Golden Knights. How will it be to play against Kali?
BG: It will be an experience that’s for sure! Kali and I are very close, but also very competitive. I will be excited but also apprehensive about playing her. As we have grown up we have never really had to play against each other so not only am I playing my sister, I am playing my sister in my first NCAA game. It will be an interesting game I am sure!
GS: You're the third sibling from your family to play collegiate hockey. How did you decide on Minnesota compared to playing closer to your other family members?
BG: Minnesota just felt like a better fit for me and I wanted to set my own path. I really liked the atmosphere in Minnesota and the great Gophers traditions. Yes, it would have been nice to play with my sister but I felt Minnesota was the place for me.
GS: You're the only freshman true defenseman coming in this year. What would you like to learn from your teammates playing the blue line at this level?
BG: The Gophers have some great players on defense, some of the best in the country. Playing with people like that makes a player better. I want to be able to learn all that I can from them, just watching these players will make me better. I want them to help me understand what it takes to compete at this level. I also want to be able to contribute to our team’s success, I am sure my fellow defenseman will be able to help me achieve this goal.
GS: When you're done with your Gopher hockey career, what would you like to have accomplished, both individually and as a team?
BG: When I am done with my Gopher hockey career I would like to have accomplished individually being a positive influence on my teammates, the Gopher community and be remembered as an accomplished gopher defensemen and a contributing team member. My goal as a team is to be champions and not be satisfied with anything less.
GS: What are you most looking forward to when you get to the University of Minnesota?
BG: I am ready for the challenges of the combination of school and hockey, developing new friendships and just enjoying my first year as a Gopher.
