NAME: Shannon Hart

SCHOOL: United States Naval Academy

HOMETOWN: Grand Rapids, MN

YEAR: Sophomore

POSITION: Goaltender

Q: What is the single best thing about playing college hockey for your current CHE team?
A: Hockey is one of my favorite activities, so I love having the opportunity to play the sport with my best friends. Being able to play college hockey and prepare myself to serve my country through the United States Naval Academy is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I'm very thankful to be here.

Q: What is the most-memorable hockey game you have ever been involved in, at any level?
A: I'm proud to be from the State of Hockey -- Minnesota -- and I have numerous fond memories of playing there growing up. If I had to choose one, I would probably have to go with the first game of the 2012 14UA State Tournament. I'm from a small town, and I was playing with the same group of girls I had played with since starting on my 8U team. This was our first State appearance, and our whole town was behind us, it was really cool to be a part of. We were unseeded going into that first game and were playing the #1 team in the state: Eden Prairie, a metropolitan-area powerhouse program from the Twin Cities area. They struck first and went up 2-0 on us, but we battled back and, despite being out-shot, were able to pull out the victory, 5-3. The opportunity to earn that win for our team and our town was unbelievable and a feeling that I will never forget.

Q: Are there any routines or rituals you must stick to before every game, such as listening to a certain song?
A: I do the same warm-up, and I read the same bible verse before every game. I try to have my pre-game meal be consistent, and I always maximize sleep the night before a game, something that is very hard to do as a sleep-deprived Midshipman at the Naval Academy. I'm not superstitious, but I stick to my routine to get me ready physically and mentally, as well as focused and ready to perform my best.

Q: Which opposing CHE team do you really enjoy playing against, and why?
A: I really enjoy playing Delaware. Our teams are always competitive with each other, and it's a great game with the win going to whoever shows up and performs that night. My team and I love facing off against Delaware and battling it out.

Q: If you were put in charge of the entire sport of hockey and could change just one thing about the game, what would it be?
A: If I was in charge of the entire sport of hockey and I could change just one thing about the game, it would be that I would put more resources into developing the game around the world. It's clear from the sport of hockey on the world stage that the United States and Canada, as well as a select few Scandinavian nations, have built a dynasty and dominate all other areas of the world. I would put people, money, and resources towards developing interest and growing programs in other parts of the world. Lack of access to ice and equipment, as well as knowledgeable coaches, are big hurdles to growing the game. Thus, these things need to be intentionally developed in parts of the world where hockey is not popular in order to grow and expand the game and make it a viable sport for people everywhere.

Q: What made you choose to attend your current school?
A: Growing up in rural, northern Minnesota, life pretty much revolved around hockey and hanging out in the woods -- hunting, hiking, and camping. So I always wanted to continue with hockey and join the military. My future plans were either play and then coach college hockey or become an officer in the military. I looked really hard at playing NCAA hockey and doing ROTC, but the balance of being able to both and excel at both seemed impossible. I then became aware of the service academies after West Point came to my school for a college fair. The challenge of a military-based college experience really drew me in. Having spent my entire childhood in the woods, I wanted to be part of a ground-focused force, either Army or the Marine Corps. From what I could see, there was just something different about the Marines that stood out and seemed they were a notch above Army. That drew me to Navy versus Army and therefore the Naval Academy versus West Point. Additionally, after I found out the Naval Academy, a commissioning source for USMC officers, had a hockey team and touring the Yard and meeting some of the players, I knew it was the place for me. It would allow me to fulfill my dream of becoming a military officer and continue to play the game I love. Now that I am here, there is no place I'd rather be. Being a midshipman here is the the toughest thing I've ever done, but I wouldn't have it any other way. The people here are phenomenal, and I know I am being pushed to be the best version of myself, both as a person and as a future officer. Go Navy, Beat Army!

Q: What is your major and what do you want to do with it after graduation?
A: I am a political science major, and I plan to commission as an Officer in the United States Marine Corps upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy in May 2020. I want to commission as a Marine Logistics Officer or Communications Officer. I chose Political Science as my major, as current events and what's happening around the globe interests me. Additionally, a background in Political Science will prepare me well to lead Marines in the future in our dynamic and constantly-changing world.

Q: What person outside of your family has done the most for you?
A: I had a coach in high school that had a big influence on me both as an athlete and as a person. It was my track and cross country coach. He was extremely hard working and motivated and always got the best out of our team. He pushed us very hard, but he cared about us as people as well as runners. I always knew he was doing it for our best interest, long-term. The training he put us through as runners equipped me to have more success on the ice by developing my physical strength and endurance, as well as my discipline and ability to delay gratification for a better reward down the road. His constant pushing us prepared me extremely well, both physically and mentally, for the trials that I would face at USNA. His coaching and the training I did under him gave me a base of endurance that I draw upon often. Every tough thing I have had to do as a midshipman, I always just compare to one of his workouts and I know I will be able to withstand the pain, weather the storm, and come out stronger on the other side.

Q: Would you rather be Superman or Batman, and why?
A: I would rather be Superman. Superman's ability to fly and the fact that he has super-sonic speed and x-ray vision would be very useful in everyday life, as well as in stopping that next puck. Additionally, I strive to be have Superman's characteristic of super-strength and invulnerability in all aspects of my life, from being a brick wall for my team on the ice, to training at the Naval Academy, to leading the next generation of America's war-fighters.

Q: What are your two favorite apps on your smartphone, and why?
A: My two favorite apps on my smartphone are Snapchat and my email. I like Snapchat because it lets me stay connected to my friends and family at the academy and back home. It's fun to let loose and mess around with my friends on Snapchat, and it's a unique way to keep up with what everyone else is up to. Our team has a Snapchat group, and you never know what's going show up on there. I also love my email app on my phone because, as a midshipman, life is very busy and word is constantly being passed down the chain of command via email. It's so convenient to have access to email on my phone because it's imperative to be on top of the next military obligation or change of plans.