University of Minnesota Athletics
Future Gopher Q&A: Shyler Sletta
7/27/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
July 19, 2011
In the first of our series of features on the incoming freshman class on the women's hockey team, gophersports.com talked to Shyler Sletta.
A goalie, Sletta was a three-time all-conference honoree in 2009, 2010 and 2011 with New Prague High School. An all-state honorable selection in 2011, she was also a top 10 goalie for the Let's Play Hockey Senior Goalie award. With the Trojans, Sletta held a career .927 save percentage and a goals against average of 2.23. She had the highest save percentage in the Missota Conference two straight seasons as well as the lowest GAA in 2010 and second-lowest in 2011. Sletta also had the highest number of saves (687 in 744 shots on goal) and played more minutes than any other goalie in the league. A four-year letterwinner in hockey and a two-year letterwinner in soccer, Sletta was also a team captain in both sports as a senior.
Q: What was the biggest factor that made the University of Minnesota your college choice?
A: I thought that it was a great place to be as a student and as an athlete.
Q: How did you get started playing hockey?
A: My dad got me started in hockey, he played in high school and he coached my brother as well as me when I started.
Q: What made you choose the goalie position?
A: My parents, they both pushed me to stay in the crease because it was what I was good at. Also my U12 team, I was committed to them and they needed me in the net.
Q: How do you feel about getting to play with and learn from players like Finnish Olympic goalie Noora Raty and former U.S. U-18 goalie Alyssa Grogran who have international hockey experience?
A: I'm very excited! I want to learn, and I don't think that there's anyone better to learn it from than Noora and Alyssa.
Q: Do you have a hockey idol? Who is your all-time favorite hockey player?
A: I wouldn't say idol, but I respect a lot of players. Mario Lemieux is probably my favorite.
Q: Do you know what you'd like to major in here at the U?
A: I'd like to major in sports management, with a possible minor in coaching.
Q: Outside of hockey, what are some of your hobbies and interests?
A: I like to do a lot of different things from reading books to playing other sports. As long as I'm busy, I'm happy!
Q: Have you played other sports, or have you focused on hockey?
A: I played a few sports when I was younger, softball and volleyball. In my junior and senior year of high school I also participated in soccer.
Q: Coach Frost anticipates that the 2011-12 team will be one of the strongest teams we've had recently. How does it feel to come in and be a part of a team with such high expectations?
A: It feels great, I plan to love every minute of it! I'm excited to see exactly what the team is going to be capable of, I'm sure we can do great things!
Q: What are you most looking forward to for the upcoming season and your first year on campus?
A: Aside from hockey, I look forward to becoming a part of the campus community and spending time with my peers.
