Minnetonka Student Leads by Example On and Off the Ice

To Sydney Rossman, or 'Syd' as most everyone calls her, the ice rink is a second home.

“As soon as I could walk, I put on skates,” said Rossman, a senior goalie for Minnetonka High School. “I love the competition and the friendships you build with teammates and coaches.”

Rossman is a team captain. “Everyone is a leader in some way on our team, especially the upperclassmen,” she explained. “I try to set a good example for the younger girls.”

Last season, Rossman helped the Skippers win the Class 2A state title.

“It was cool to see our team come together and play the way we did,” she said.  “I will never forget it.”

Though hockey is an intensely physical sport, Rossman has avoided serious injuries. ”Just a couple of bruises from pucks here and there,” she said.

Rossman will continue her hockey career at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut next year.

“I got a feeling when I visited the campus that it was right for me,” she said.

When she’s not on the ice rink, you can find her immersed in a variety of activities. 

“Getting involved at school is pretty important to me,” Rossman said. “I met a lot of people through extracurricular activities that I probably would not have met otherwise.”

One such group is the Tonka Leadership Challenge. “It’s to help younger kids stay chemical-free,” she explained. “We go to middle schools and teach kids about anything from drugs and alcohol to bullying.”

She also participates in First Mates, a mentoring program to help freshmen transition into high school.

Her advice to freshmen?

“Make your freshman year count,” said Rossman. “A lot of people go into freshmen year thinking that grades don't matter, but that year can affect your GPA the most.”

Rossman would know. She has landed on the honor roll every semester of high school.

“School comes first, and I try to set aside time to get my school work done before practice,” she said. “I try to keep as organized as possible so that it is easier to manage.”

Her favorite class at Minnetonka is Independent Living. “We learn about how to manage ourselves and our money in college and after,” she said. 

Rossman also enjoys math, and calculus teacher Ann Hersman has been a strong influence.

“Mrs. Hersman knows a lot about hockey, and asked me how the season was going every day,” said Rossman. “Calculus was pretty tough, but she was a really good teacher and not only taught us about math, but about life as well.”         

In her free time, Rossman likes to read (Lauren Conrad is a favorite author), listen to country music or watch the Minnesota Wild hockey team. “I really like Cal Clutterbuck,” she said.

“I like to hang out with my family and friends as much as possible and sometimes I go on runs with my dog,” she added. 

Rossman’s family includes parents Brant and Kathleen, two older siblings, a Labrador retriever named Gabby, and a recently purchased betta fish. 

The Rossmans will gather in their Excelsior home for Thanksgiving this week.

“My mom, my sister and I usually watch the parade while we cook caramel rolls for the family,” she said. “That’s followed by a day of relaxing and playing games, then dinner at night. It’s my favorite holiday by far.”

Rossman has mixed emotions about leaving home for college.

“It’s bittersweet, but I am excited for what the future holds for me,” she said.

After college, Rossman may pursue a career in the medical field. “Maybe physical therapy,” she said. “I am also interested in advertising, so we’ll see.”

As for hockey?

“Maybe I'll be coaching part-time," she answered.