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Dylan St. Cyr Achieving His Goals with NTDP

By Becky Olsen, 09/29/15, 9:00AM EDT

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U17 Goalie Dreamed of Wearing USA Colors Growing Up


Photo by Rena Laverty

Growing up, Dylan St. Cyr had constant reminders about the goals he was striving to achieve.

“In my room where I had my bed, the room was painted in HoneyBaked colors,” he said of the Detroit-based team for which he played midget hockey. “The hallway that connected my bedroom to the room where I did my studying was painted blue for the University of Michigan. On the other side, where I did my homework, that room was painted in USA colors. It was a constant reminder of what I needed to do to achieve my goals.”

So far he’s made good progress, even if the order of colors is slightly different. St. Cyr is wearing red, white and blue this season as he embarks on his Under-17 season with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, and he’s committed to wearing the maize and blue of Michigan afterward.

“I love to play, and I always post my key goals,” he said. “Every night, I can see what I want to do. It allows me to ask the question, ‘What can I do better tomorrow?’”

Hockey has been a big part of St. Cyr’s life from an early age. His mom, Canada Olympian Manon Rheaume, was the first woman to play in an NHL preseason game, and his dad, Gerry St. Cyr, played in the minors.

“Really, [hockey] just surrounded me,” Dylan said. “I had a choice, but I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I have been surrounded by hockey my whole life. I used to play mini-sticks, and I would skate whenever I could.”

Although he tried several other sports growing up, including roller hockey and golf, hockey was his first love. And he decided to follow his mom and play goalie.

“I wanted to be able to change the outcome of the game,” said St. Cyr, who stands in a 5-foot-7 and weighs 163 pounds. “I can go in and not play well, and then I can’t help the team. I can go out and have a great game, and I’m in control of how the team does.

“I have been able to see what my mom has done. I have been able to see her career and where hockey has taken her with her career. Now I am able to see where I can take my career. I know I need to do everything I can.”

Through the first three weekends of play with the NTDP, St. Cyr has learned plenty about himself.

“There are really great players around us,” he said. “I see how hard everyone works. I can’t take any days off. I have to go hard at everything. I think it will be great to see how everyone progresses. We need to get better and we can’t fall behind.”

He has already noticed a few differences between playing at the midget level to playing against top juniors in the United States Hockey League. 

“The shots are faster and the pace is quicker,” he said. “I love to play the puck, especially behind the net, and I have less time and not as much room as I previously did. I definitely need to adjust to that. It will be a quick adjustment as you get into practices; you can see how fast they can be. For me, the practices and preseason games have helped me with the transition.

“It’s mostly little changes right now. We have only had a few games. In practice, we are just working on the little things that will help me improve.”

St. Cyr, who grew up in Northville, Michigan — just a 10-minute drive NTDP’s new home at USA Hockey Arena — is eager to see what the next two years bring.

“To be a part of that first year at USA Hockey Arena is going to be special,” he said. “Hopefully we will be remembered as that special group. It’s great to see all the changes to the rink. Every day it is something new. I think we will appreciate it more. It’s nice to see the rink grow and how it will represent us.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.

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Photo by Rena Laverty

Dylan's Favorites

Favorite NHL Team
Detroit Red Wings

Favorite U.S. Player
Jonathan Quick

Favorite Sport (Other than Hockey)
Golf

Favorite Movie
Interstellar

Favorite Actor
Will Ferrell

Favorite Musician
G-Eazy

Favorite Pump-Up Song
"Centuries" by Fall Out Boy

Favorite Home-Cooked Meal
Pasta with Meat Sauce