University of Minnesota Athletics
Meet the Newcomers: Sydney Baldwin
9/3/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS - The Golden Gopher women's hockey team welcomes four new freshmen for the 2014-15 season. One of the talented freshmen is left-handed defenseman Sydney Baldwin, the winner of the 2014 Minnesota Ms. Hockey award.
Baldwin won three consecutive state titles with Minnetonka High School from 2011-2013, and she was named to the Minnesota all-tournament team each year. While Minnetonka did not reach the championship game again her senior season, Baldwin still became the first defenseman to win the Ms. Hockey award since 2002.
Baldwin has also skated with the U.S. Under-18 team and attended USA Hockey development camps. She has played for the Minnesota Whitecaps and competed in the Upper Midwest High School Elite League as well.
Gopher Sports: How did you first start playing hockey?
Sydney Baldwin: My brother and sister started playing hockey, and, of course, I wanted to be just like them and decided to give it a try.
GS: What other sports did you play growing up?
SB: I played hockey and tennis throughout high school, and soccer right up until high school.
GS: How did you end up choosing the University of Minnesota?
SB: I chose the University of Minnesota because I felt it offered the best fit both from an athletic and an academic perspective. After visiting multiple campuses throughout the Midwest, the U of M was a clear standout with the best women's hockey program in the country and a world renowned academic institution. From my first visit to campus, the players, coaches, faculty and students made me feel right at home. I just felt comfortable with the entire experience. I felt the University of Minnesota offered the best opportunity to achieve my goals and represent my home state as a Gopher.
GS: Do you have a career field or major in mind?
SB: I will most likely be pursuing a career in the business or medical field.
GS: What do you like to do in your free time?
SB: During my free time, I really enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I also love traveling, being outside and spending weekends at my family's cabin.
GS: What was it like to win three consecutive state titles in high school?
SB: The highlight of winning three consecutive state championships was being involved with a group of players and coaches that were completely focused on doing their best not only on the ice, but for each other. We had a great core of people with a high level of commitment to each other, which gave all of us a lot of confidence.
GS: What did winning Minnesota Ms. Hockey mean to you?
SB: I was honored to be selected for the award but looking back throughout my years of hockey, the people who really deserved the awards and recognition are the people who spend countless hours coaching and developing the girls' hockey program in the state. I have had so many influential coaches and mentors throughout the years, and they have spent countless hours getting women's hockey to where it is today. I think these are the people that deserve the recognition.
GS: What has your USA Hockey experience been like?
SB: Playing on the international level exposed me to some different styles of the game. I enjoyed meeting and playing with players from other countries and representing the United States.
GS: Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
SB: Every year they are different. I usually try and take a nice long nap and eat a good meal before the game
GS: What are you most looking forward to about Gopher women's hockey?
SB: Getting over the freshman jitters and getting down to business on the ice.
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