University of Minnesota Athletics
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/ Women's Hockey
Meet the Newcomers: Skylar Vetter
8/16/2021 12:53:00 PM | Women's Hockey
Skylar Vetter joins the Gophers as a left-catching goaltender from Lakeville, Minn., and Lakeville North High School.
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Golden Gopher women's hockey team welcomes seven newcomers to the team for the 2021-22 season, including Skylar Vetter, a left-catching freshman goaltender from Lakeville, Minn., and Lakeville North High School. Vetter shares her experience playing for the Lakeville North boys hockey team, her USA Hockey memories, why she chose the University of Minnesota, and more.
Gopher Sports: How did you first get into hockey and when did you decide to play goalie?
Skylar Vetter: My mom took me to skating lessons at Minnesota Made after morning preschool when I was four. The first time I tried on the goalie equipment in 2nd grade I decided that I wanted to be in the net. I liked the goalie helmet and equipment better than the skater gear.
GS: What's your earliest hockey memory?
SV: My earliest hockey memory was tagging along with my older sisters to different rinks for their practices and games.
GS: How do you think your early hockey experience shaped your growth in the sport?
SV: Very early (3rd grade) I was invited to play summer hockey on a boys team who needed a goalie. It pushed me to perform at a higher level and I loved the competitiveness of that team. The following year I tried out for the
boys youth program and continued playing with them through high school. To this day I love fast paced and intense practices and games.
GS: When did you realize that playing Division I hockey was a possibility for you?
SV: My mom and both of my older sisters were college athletes, so I kind of always believed I'd have a chance.
GS: What has your experience been like playing with the boys team at Lakeville North?
SV: It was a fantastic experience playing with the boy's team. I wouldn't trade that experience for anything in the world. The boys, their parents, families and the Lakeville community have all been huge supporters of me for a very long time. I have two sisters, but my family jokes about my "25 brothers". I was fortunate to have outstanding coaching in the boys program throughout my youth and high school career. The competitiveness, speed and intensity of boys hockey has prepared me to compete at an elite level with men and women.
GS: How did you choose the University of Minnesota?
SV: During my two Bantam AA seasons I did a lot of recruiting visits around the country. I am the only one in my family who was born in Minnesota and in my mind I kept coming back to how much I love the state of Minnesota and the hockey culture here. Coach Frost has built a culture of winning and competitiveness and that was very attractive to me. The Gophers have everything that is important to me in a program and I can't wait to contribute and be a part of the team!
GS: What's your family like? How did they influence your playing career?
SV: My family is very athletic and competitive. My oldest sister played hockey at Penn State and my other sister played college golf in Colorado. We compete with each other but also support each other through successes and failures. There has always been an expectation in my family that you do your best every outing. Your best won't be the same level every time, but it must be the best you have that day.
GS: How would your family describe you?
SV: My family would describe me as intense, but caring and that I never want anyone to feel left out.
GS: Did you play any other sports growing up?
SV: Growing up, my parents wanted me to try lots of different sports. I've enjoyed playing soccer, gymnastics, Nordic skiing, golf and of course, hockey.
GS: What was your USA Hockey experience like?
SV: My USA U18 experience was amazing. I was only 15 the first time I had an opportunity to play for Team USA. I was in net for every game that year and we lost a heartbreaker in overtime to Canada in the championship. The next year we were able to turn that around and win the gold medal. I learned so much about the amount of work and commitment that goes into winning. The players, coaching staff, trainers, doctors, and support staff all have to come together to have success. Along the way I've made great lifetime friends, including some current Gopher teammates, who shared those experiences with me. There is no better feeling than to hear our national anthem being played for your team because you've won it all.
GS: What do you like to do in your free time outside of hockey and school?
SV: Playing tennis against my Dad and playing golf with my friends.
GS: Is there a hockey player you have admired or looked up to?
SV: Marc-Andre Fleury
GS: Do you know what you want to major in and what career field you're interested in?
SV: I'm planning to major in Finance with a minor in Sports Marketing. I'd like to be an operations manager for a collegiate or pro level sports team.
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?
SV: I'm confident in how I play the game. My weaknesses are classified information that opposing players will have to try to figure out on their own.
GS: Is there anything in particular that stood out to you about the team or the coaches on your visit that solidified your decision to come to the University of Minnesota?
SV: The culture of winning, with an opportunity to train and compete with elite athletes at a Big Ten University stood out. The pile of national championship trophies on Coach Frost's desk were pretty impressive too!
Quick Facts with Skylar Vetter!
Favorite pizza topping: sausage
Favorite season: Winter
Favorite hobby: playing golf
Favorite TV show: Loki
Favorite TV couple: John B and Sarah Cameron
Favorite animal: dog
Describe yourself in one word: competitive
Hockey players should always _________: listen to and communicate with your goalie.
Favorite athlete: Shawn Johnson East
Hidden talent: I can juggle
Name one food you refuse to eat: Brussels sprouts
Favorite holiday: Christmas
Dream job: CEO of Lululemon
Night person or morning person: neither
Favorite workout: Nordic skiing
Biggest fear: roller coasters
Dream vacation: Switzerland
Favorite sport to watch other than hockey: women's gymnastics
Gopher Sports: How did you first get into hockey and when did you decide to play goalie?
Skylar Vetter: My mom took me to skating lessons at Minnesota Made after morning preschool when I was four. The first time I tried on the goalie equipment in 2nd grade I decided that I wanted to be in the net. I liked the goalie helmet and equipment better than the skater gear.
GS: What's your earliest hockey memory?
SV: My earliest hockey memory was tagging along with my older sisters to different rinks for their practices and games.
GS: How do you think your early hockey experience shaped your growth in the sport?
SV: Very early (3rd grade) I was invited to play summer hockey on a boys team who needed a goalie. It pushed me to perform at a higher level and I loved the competitiveness of that team. The following year I tried out for the
boys youth program and continued playing with them through high school. To this day I love fast paced and intense practices and games.
GS: When did you realize that playing Division I hockey was a possibility for you?
SV: My mom and both of my older sisters were college athletes, so I kind of always believed I'd have a chance.
GS: What has your experience been like playing with the boys team at Lakeville North?
SV: It was a fantastic experience playing with the boy's team. I wouldn't trade that experience for anything in the world. The boys, their parents, families and the Lakeville community have all been huge supporters of me for a very long time. I have two sisters, but my family jokes about my "25 brothers". I was fortunate to have outstanding coaching in the boys program throughout my youth and high school career. The competitiveness, speed and intensity of boys hockey has prepared me to compete at an elite level with men and women.
GS: How did you choose the University of Minnesota?
SV: During my two Bantam AA seasons I did a lot of recruiting visits around the country. I am the only one in my family who was born in Minnesota and in my mind I kept coming back to how much I love the state of Minnesota and the hockey culture here. Coach Frost has built a culture of winning and competitiveness and that was very attractive to me. The Gophers have everything that is important to me in a program and I can't wait to contribute and be a part of the team!
GS: What's your family like? How did they influence your playing career?
SV: My family is very athletic and competitive. My oldest sister played hockey at Penn State and my other sister played college golf in Colorado. We compete with each other but also support each other through successes and failures. There has always been an expectation in my family that you do your best every outing. Your best won't be the same level every time, but it must be the best you have that day.
GS: How would your family describe you?
SV: My family would describe me as intense, but caring and that I never want anyone to feel left out.
GS: Did you play any other sports growing up?
SV: Growing up, my parents wanted me to try lots of different sports. I've enjoyed playing soccer, gymnastics, Nordic skiing, golf and of course, hockey.
GS: What was your USA Hockey experience like?
SV: My USA U18 experience was amazing. I was only 15 the first time I had an opportunity to play for Team USA. I was in net for every game that year and we lost a heartbreaker in overtime to Canada in the championship. The next year we were able to turn that around and win the gold medal. I learned so much about the amount of work and commitment that goes into winning. The players, coaching staff, trainers, doctors, and support staff all have to come together to have success. Along the way I've made great lifetime friends, including some current Gopher teammates, who shared those experiences with me. There is no better feeling than to hear our national anthem being played for your team because you've won it all.
GS: What do you like to do in your free time outside of hockey and school?
SV: Playing tennis against my Dad and playing golf with my friends.
GS: Is there a hockey player you have admired or looked up to?
SV: Marc-Andre Fleury
GS: Do you know what you want to major in and what career field you're interested in?
SV: I'm planning to major in Finance with a minor in Sports Marketing. I'd like to be an operations manager for a collegiate or pro level sports team.
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?
SV: I'm confident in how I play the game. My weaknesses are classified information that opposing players will have to try to figure out on their own.
GS: Is there anything in particular that stood out to you about the team or the coaches on your visit that solidified your decision to come to the University of Minnesota?
SV: The culture of winning, with an opportunity to train and compete with elite athletes at a Big Ten University stood out. The pile of national championship trophies on Coach Frost's desk were pretty impressive too!
Quick Facts with Skylar Vetter!
Favorite pizza topping: sausage
Favorite season: Winter
Favorite hobby: playing golf
Favorite TV show: Loki
Favorite TV couple: John B and Sarah Cameron
Favorite animal: dog
Describe yourself in one word: competitive
Hockey players should always _________: listen to and communicate with your goalie.
Favorite athlete: Shawn Johnson East
Hidden talent: I can juggle
Name one food you refuse to eat: Brussels sprouts
Favorite holiday: Christmas
Dream job: CEO of Lululemon
Night person or morning person: neither
Favorite workout: Nordic skiing
Biggest fear: roller coasters
Dream vacation: Switzerland
Favorite sport to watch other than hockey: women's gymnastics
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