Dylan St. Cyr has heard just about everything when it comes to tending goal. With each piece of criticism, it only drives him to get better.

“What I have heard has changed [through the years]. I was always the youngest and playing with the older kids, that was the first thing,” he remarked. “Now, it’s all about my height. I’m 5-8 so that is not the typical goalie in the National Hockey League. I think the shortest goalie in the NHL right now is 5-10.

“It’s definitely challenging. I need to keep going and pay attention to what I need to do and keep my confidence up. It will take me where I need to go.”

The great thing for St. Cyr is that he always has someone to turn to in his family for questions or advice. Of course, that happens when your mom is goalie Manon Rheaume, who was the first woman to play in an NHL pre-season game, and your dad is Gerry St. Cyr, who also played pro hockey.

“My mom gives me good pointers about battling adversity while my dad has told me how to battle adversity, especially with other people,” said St. Cyr. “When they are saying stuff, you have to learn how to tune it out and play your game. They have both been there so they know that you can do what you can do.”

Of course, it will be advice that he will take to heart as he and the Under-18 U.S. National Team Development Program host the Five Nations Tournament at USA Hockey Arena this week. St. Cyr and his teammates welcome the Czech Republic, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland for round robin action. St. Cyr knows what Team USA needs to do for success.

“We have to keep working,” he said. “We have played some college teams and that is definitely a faster pace playing against stronger guys. I think that will give us confidence going into the Five Nations. If we can get that first W, roll with it and see what happens.

“Last year, both internationally and in USHL play were not what we wanted to accomplish. We are looking to make a statement and show what we can do, especially being at home.”

One thing will not change, and that’s the feeling he gets when he slips the USA jersey over his head.

“Honestly, every time you put on that jersey, you realize it’s a life-long dream,” he remarked. Sometimes when you put it on, you realize this may be the last time you wear it. It’s really special. Once you hit that international stage, it has a whole new meaning. You are playing for your country against other countries. You want to represent yourself and your country as best as you can. It’s really special.”

For St. Cyr, his confidence between the pipes has been one of the big differences between his U17 year and this season as a member of the U18s.

“We were able to get a full season of spring practice [at the end of last year]. We had nine weeks to build that confidence up both in the weight room and on the ice, and knowing that you are going to go out and having the confidence that you can win. That has been the big change,” he said. “Honestly, confidence wise being able to know that our team has that confidence as well. Knowing that it is our U18 year and knowing that we can win some games.”

Plus, St. Cyr has worked with goaltending coach Kevin Reiter on his skill development. It’s a great opportunity for him to work on some very specific skill sets.

“That 1-on-1 time allows you to really work on what you want to work on and you can see the weaknesses you have,” he explained. “Plus, it allows you to continue to work on your strengths. This includes specific game situations that have really helped me this year.”

It’s also certainly given him a better understanding when it comes to playing college opponents.

“It is definitely a faster pace game. After the first couple shots and the first couple plays, it helped me sink into the mode,” said St. Cyr. “The first game I played, it didn’t go as I wanted it to [an 8-2 loss at Boston University on Oct. 6]. The game moves faster. The shots are quicker and I got used to it after the first few periods.”

There is one important date circled on his calendar — Nov. 18 when St. Cyr and his teammates face the University of Michigan at Yost Ice Arena. It will be a special moment for St. Cyr, who has dreamed of being a Wolverine since he was a little kid.

“For everybody this year, playing against your future college team is something that you look forward to,” said St. Cyr. “I have known that date and had it marked in my head for as long as the schedule has been out. That is something I look forward to and a college that I dreamed of going to growing up. Playing in that stadium against the Wolverines, it will be eye opening to see. You are actually there and not just sitting in the stands. It will be a special moment.”

Growing up in Northville, Michigan, just a short 20-minute drive to Ann Arbor, it was an easy decision when it came to his future college squad.

“Michigan is so close to home, was my dream college and I always looking up to the players that played there. Going to the games, it was an easy choice to say this is what I want to do,” explained St. Cyr.

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.