Making the jump to U Sports hockey

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/05/2018 (3074 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Sidney Shyiak is a 17-year-old Grade 12 student at Balmoral Hall School. Whether in the classroom or on the ice, playing hockey for the school team, Sidney is an inspiration to all.

“I do pretty well in school. I have A’s across the board, I believe. English is probably my favourite subject,” she says. “I’m really into writing. Writing is the most enjoyable aspect of school to me.”
As an upcoming graduate, these are exciting times for Sidney.

“My grad is June 20. I’m a little bit nervous to go off on my own to university but I’m ready.”

Sidney has been skating since she was four and playing hockey since she was five but she wasn’t always sure when she was younger what her chosen sport was going to be.

Her mom and dad, Tricia and Dean, helped her to find her way.

“They’ve been a huge help. They encouraged me to play hockey and stick with it,” she recalls. “I didn’t really want to play when I was younger but they were patient and played a very large role in helping me to be where I am today.”

Sidney lives with her parents and sister Paige in west Winnipeg.

Mom and dad are getting ready for their daughter to head off to university to play hockey.

“Sidney has worked really hard” says her dad, Dean.

“She has a great work ethic and is goal-driven. We are very proud of Sidney.”

Sidney is excited for the next stage of her life.

“I am going to the University of Regina and I am going to play hockey there. I am from Saskatchewan originally (she was born in Yorkton), so it is kind of like going home for me. It has always been a dream of mine to go to the University of Regina.”

Sidney is one of those athletes with the gift of leadership and it’s something that’s important to her.

“I hope to be a good leader on my team. This has always been a goal of mine on all of the teams I have played for.”

With her dedication on and off the ice, there is no doubt Sidney will fulfill the role of a good leader and be successful with her life.

She offers this advice to young athletes:

“Never let someone mess with your confidence,” she says. “It can definitely hinder you obtaining your goals, reaching your potential in the future. Push negativity aside and be confident that this is what you want to do.”
 
Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Troy Westwood is co-host of The Big Show, every weekday morning from 6 to 10 a.m. on TSN 1290 radio. He writes about Winnipeg’s unsung sports heroes every other week in the Canstar Community News weeklies. If you know of an athlete whose story Troy should tell, contact him at: troy.westwood@bellmedia.ca