When I got word that I’d have the opportunity to sit down with Boston University forward Sydney Healey and chat with her, I have to be honest and say that I could barely contain my excitement.
Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to cover many different aspects of the women’s game. Whether it's the draft, an international tournament, or something closer to home with my local Ottawa Charge, I count myself very lucky to be able to do what I do. One of those opportunities was the Beanpot, a Boston-area tournament where four collegiate programs (Boston University, Boston College, Harvard, and Northeastern) compete head-to-head for bragging rights as the best program in town. This is where I first discovered Sydney Healey.
The way she plays the game is special. She’s fast, dynamic, creative, persistent and unafraid. She plays the game in a way few others I’ve seen do, which made her stand out to me game after game during the two Beanpot tournaments that I’ve covered.
Sitting down and speaking with her showcased her personality, without a doubt, as well as her perspective on her game and the state of the women’s game more broadly. Her enthusiasm and passion are infectious, and her drive is undeniable, making her a player and person who's easy to root for.
This conversation took place before the PWHL Draft and gave us a chance to discuss what her professional future might look like, as well as an opportunity for her to share her appreciation for the players who came before her. It’s a really unique experience to speak with someone who idolized so many of these players and is now looking at, one day, joining them.
This was a really enjoyable conversation, and one I have been looking forward to sharing. It was another one of those “pinch me” moments where I sit down with a player I’ve watched on TV, and now I’m somehow in an almost hour-long, one-on-one conversation with them, asking myself, “Is this real life?”
Our full conversation is also available on YouTube here.