University of Minnesota Athletics
Five Minutes with Sydney Baldwin
12/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS -- Gopher junior Sydney Baldwin reflects on the play of Minnesota's defensive core at the midway point of the season along with discussing her hobbies off of the ice.
Gopher Sports: Defensively speaking, how are you feeling about your contributions to this team?
Sydney Baldwin: Really good, defensively. I think we're doing a really good job as a defensive core, blocking shots and clean rebounds and stuff. I'm happy with that play. Offensively this year, I'm hoping to get more involved. But as a "D" you have to measure success in different ways. This year, I've definitely found different ways to do that. It's going really well overall I think.
GS: How would you rate the team's first game against Wisconsin?
SB: It was awesome. The atmosphere was great, and Bethany was saying in the locker room, there's not much to talk about after those games, you just feel the win. Everyone was so happy with individual contributions and as a whole. We all did our jobs and roles to the best of our ability. We always talk about the process, and it's important we put in the effort and that's all that we ask of our teammates. I think everyone brought their best game that day, and it was fun to see.
GS: Is there an art to blocking shots, or is it more of an instinct?
SB: I think it's a little bit of both. You practice it, but you just have the instinct and knowledge of looking at their stick and knowing when they're going to block it. It's really about putting in the effort to block it. If you want to block it, you can, you just have to be in the right spot at the right time. We just have to practice it, and we've definitely gotten better as a whole.
GS: What do you say to people who don't want to block shots?
SB: You just have to buy into blocking shots. You can't lift up your feet, you can't get out of the way, and you just have to want to block it. JJ and our coaching staff always talk about how bruises go away, but the goals that go in the net because you didn't block the shots or championships don't go away. You just have to want to do it. Nobody wants to do it, but you just have to do it.
GS: What were your expectations of what you would bring to this team?
SB: I had a really good high school career, and my freshman year I just wanted to learn. I had a lot of other great mentors on the team that were older, especially Rachel Ramsey, being a "D." Freshman year was kind of all about learning and getting to know the systems. You keep learning and growing throughout your four years here. Each year and each semester, you're just hoping to get better and better. Helping contribute in all facets and areas of the ice, I'm hoping I'm doing that and fulfilling my role.
GS: Where did your all-encompassing personality come from?
SB: I take that as a compliment, I like that. I try and be outgoing in all groups of the team. The freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors, I just try and be a friend of all. Hockey is a huge part of my life, but I know there is more than hockey, and I never forget that. There are other things I love to do and spend my time doing that bring me happiness too, so I try and incorporate that as much as I can into my life because hockey is a huge time contribution. I love doing other things. Playing tennis, doing yoga, going outside, and doing all of those things.
GS: When will we see the hammock again?
SB: We actually hang them a lot when we are around town, around Minneapolis. It's been fun.
GS: What kind of fishing do you like, or do you just like being on the lake in general?
SB: I just like being on the lake in general and being outdoors. I have a huge passion for traveling, which I try and do quite a bit in the off-season. Just doing different athletic activities, I love traveling and doing different things.
GS: What's your favorite movie?
SB: I'm a big fan of, "Eat, Pray, Love." I've read the book and have seen the movie. People argue that it's not a great movie, but I love it. I'm also a Harry Potter and Twilight fan. Some people don't like those either.
GS: What are your favorite movies from the past year?
SB: I'm really excited to see "The Girl on the Train." A lot of us have read the book, so we are excited to go see that over winter break. "Marley and Me" was a big tearjerker on the bus for me. That is a good one, but that brings about a lot of tears.
Listen to Baldwin's complete interview hosted by the voice of Gopher women's hockey, Dan Hamann.
Baldwin and the Gophers return to the ice at Ridder Arena to host a free exhibition game against the Minnesota Whitecaps on Friday, Jan. 6 before traveling to Braemar Arena in Edina, Minn., for this year's U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum Women's Faceoff Classic against Minnesota State on Sunday, Jan. 8.
Baldwin's Favorites...
Favorite food: Steak
Favorite musician: Beyonce
Favorite color: Purple
Favorite movie: Fast & Furious
Favorite TV show: Grey's Anatomy
Favorite sport other than hockey: Tennis
Favorite practice drill: 3 v 3
Favorite class at the U: Health Services Ethics, Safety and Law
Favorite book: Eat Pray Love
Favorite candy: Swedish fish
Favorite restaurant: Golden Nugget Tavern & Grille
Favorite animal: Dogs/elephants
Favorite post-game meal: Mexican food
Favorite holiday: Christmas
Role model: My sister, Paige
Favorite thing to do in your spare time: Be outdoors
Favorite thing about the Twin Cities: So much to do
First job you had: Big Thrill Factory
Biggest fear: Tornadoes
Favorite super hero: Batman
Who would play you in a movie: Angelina Jolie
###
