Sydney Brodt, senior forward and captain for the Mounds View girls' hockey team, was a member of the U.S. select team for the Under-18 series against Canada in August. She's committed to play hockey for University of Minnesota Duluth next year.

Q: What was the experience like playing for Team USA?

A: It was a huge honor to get to wear the jersey for those few weeks. It was just really exciting.

Q: What did you learn?

A: A lot of things about hockey but also about being a great person and not taking anything for granted. We're so lucky to get the chance to even be there and be selected.

Q: What are your personal philosophies when it comes to your game?

A: Whenever I get on the ice, I just want to play. I think the thing I base my game off of most is hard work and just passion for the game. Especially the Mounds View season, not taking it for granted because it's my senior year.

Q: What's one hockey memory you'll never forget?

A: When we beat Blaine in the section final my sophomore year, and the year before we had lost to Irondale. That was just really big because we'd been working the whole year to go back to state.

HEATHER RULE