Meet the Newcomers: Sydney Shearen

MINNEAPOLIS – Freshman Sydney Shearen joins the Gophers as a right-handed forward from White Bear Lake High School. She comes from a close-knit family and learned to skate on her family's backyard pond before going on to play five years at White Bear Lake High School and suit up for the U.S. Under-18 Team. A future pediatrician, Shearen is fulfilling a life-long dream by joining the Maroon & Gold.

Gopher Sports: How did you first get into hockey?

Sydney Shearen: I first got into hockey because it was a big thing in my family. My dad, my grandparents, and my aunts and uncles played hockey, but it was my dad who first got me into hockey. We lived on a pond when I was younger, so I learned to skate on it.

GS: What's your earliest hockey memory?

SS: My earliest hockey memory is probably skating in games with not my hometown team. I was too young to play hockey for the association in White Bear when I first started. I learned how to skate when I was five and they wouldn't let me play U-8s yet, so I had to play for Mahtomedi. I still remember my teammates from back then.

GS: What was your high school hockey experience like?

SS: I played high school hockey for five years. I started when I was in eighth grade. I got to know a lot of people, and it really got me introduced to playing with girls who were way older than me. It was cool to be a part of White Bear hockey because my family has lived there and been a part of it for a long time. My uncles and my dad played there, too. There's a great hockey energy in White Bear, and it's really fun to play there.

GS: When did you realize that playing Division I hockey was a possibility for you?

SS: I would say it was when I was in eighth grade because of my summer coaches, like Winny Brodt, and being in the Os Hockey program. Knowing that so many people ahead of me who had done what I was doing were playing Division I hockey and committing to schools made me realize it was something I could do, too.

GS: How did you choose the University of Minnesota?

SS: I committed to the University of Minnesota in 10th grade. Growing up in Minnesota, this is always a dream school that everyone wants to go to, and I liked all of the academic opportunities, the amazing coaches, the team culture, and everything surrounding the hockey environment here. It seemed really supportive and fun to be around.

GS: What was your experience like playing with the U.S. Under-18 Team?

SS: It was super fun to get to know a lot of girls from around the country. It really prepared me for being away from home a lot. Traveling is something that I really like to do, so getting to experience different countries and different cultures was super interesting. It taught me a lot, not only about hockey, but about other things, like interacting with people. I learned about my ability to handle adversity. Traveling with a team like that, there can be a ton of obstacles along the way. I learned how to deal with those and be super open to change and how to go with the flow.

GS: Did you play any other sports growing up? What was it about hockey that made you stick with it?

SS: In addition to playing hockey, I was a track athlete. I was a jumper. I also played soccer growing up. I tried just about everything when I was little. I have just loved being on the ice since I was really little. I think the team culture in hockey was something that I really enjoyed, too, and skating in general made me like hockey because it's a lot different than other sports.

GS: What's your family like?
SS: My family is super close, even our extended family, second cousins and everything. We all live super close together since we all have stayed in White Bear. We all get together for everything possible, birthdays, nonchalant holidays – we always find a reason to hang out with each other. We always have a fun time. We're pretty loud and energetic when we're all with each other. They're all very supportive. I wouldn't be where I am today without them.

GS: How would your family describe you?

SS: I would say my family would describe me as a hard-worker. They definitely pride themselves on making sure they let me know they are proud of how hard I work no matter what the outcome is.

GS: What do you like to do in your free time outside of hockey and school?

SS: I've always liked being really active. I like going to parks or nature places. I like to bike, rollerblade, and hike. I like to hammock in my free time. I love getting ice cream, too.

GS: Do you know what you want to major in and what career field you're interested in?

SS: I want to major in Biology. I've always loved the sciences ever since I was little. They're always challenging, but I have done well in those classes. It's something that I have been interested in throughout high school in my different classes. Looking into the medical field got me into it, too. I'm thinking that I want to be a pediatrician.

GS: What are you most looking forward to about joining Gopher women's hockey?

SS: Honestly, everything. I'm super excited. I've already gotten to know the team. They're so fun and welcoming, and they are supportive and kind. That's a huge part of what I'm excited for. I'm also looking forward to the team culture and everything surrounding the team, having good teammates, and working with the coaches.

GS: Is there a hockey player you have admired or looked up?

SS: Definitely my summer coaches and also my second cousin Hayley. She was really good at hockey. I really looked up to her because she played in high school while I was in elementary school. I always looked up to her. She had a shooting tarp in her garage and she would play out there. Watching her play hockey was special for me.

GS: What's one part of your game that you're confident in and one part of your game you want to work on more?

SS: I'm really confident in my play-making skills. I feel like I see the ice and my teammates really well, and I can set up good plays so other people can score. I definitely think I can work on everything, skills, vision, and everything in between. College hockey is definitely going to be a step up, but I'm excited for the challenge.

Faceoff with Sydney Shearen
Favorite pizza topping: Pepperoni
Favorite TV couple: Pam and Jim from The Office
Favorite season: Winter
Favorite Netflix series: The Office
Favorite musician: I like all types of music.
Favorite animal: Dog
Describe yourself in one word: Determined
Hockey players should never _________: Put their socks all the way around their skates.
Favorite NWHL player: Kendall Coyne
Biggest pet peeve: When people walk slowly in front of me
Name one food you could never give up: Ice cream
Favorite holiday: Christmas
If you could play another sport in college, it would be: Track & Field
Dream job: Pediatrician
Night person or morning person: Night person
Favorite workout: Running
Favorite sport to watch other than hockey: Baseball
Dream vacation: Ireland, it's where my family is from.

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