Sydney Morrow arrived at the University of Minnesota looking to level up her game. Two seasons later, she leaves campus as a second-round pick in the Professional Women’s Hockey League.
The former Gopher was selected 14th overall by the Seattle Torrent in the second round of the 2026 PWHL Draft.
Like many draft prospects, Morrow admitted she was nervous while waiting to hear where the next chapter of her hockey career would begin. Once Seattle called her name, those nerves disappeared.
“I’ve never actually been to Seattle,” Morrow said. “I’ve heard so much about how it’s an amazing sports city and how the fans are just incredible. Getting to be a part of that, I’m really excited and can’t wait to get there.”
Morrow described herself as more than a typical defender. She sees her greatest strengths in her creativity and ability to create offense.
“I’d like to say they got a defender who can play defense and also contribute offensively,” Morrow said. “I think one of the best aspects of my game is my vision and playmaking.”
Conversations regarding Morrow’s offensive game arose almost immediately after she was drafted. One debate surrounding the defender centered on whether she could help replace former Seattle defender Cayla Barnes, who left for PWHL Detroit during the expansion draft.
Morrow, however, made it clear that her goal in Seattle is not to become a copy of someone who came before her. When asked how she could help fill the void left by Barnes, Morrow emphasized the importance of developing her own identity.
“I think there’s so many defenders in the league that I respect and I try to play like,” Morrow said. “But going into training camp and joining the team, I also just want to bring my own flair and not try to be somebody else.”
Morrow is not afraid to cite Barnes as a role model, but it is clear that the admiration does not mean imitation.
“There’s definitely a lot of aspects from her game that I look up to,” Morrow said. “But I’m kind of just being my own self and trying to carve my own path once I get to Seattle.”
That confidence in her game did not just develop overnight. Morrow began her collegiate career at Ohio State University before transferring to Colgate University, and spent her final two seasons at Minnesota, where she was able to refine her game alongside elite talent.
The growth showed on the scoresheet as she finished as a top-three finalist for Western Collegiate Hockey Association Defender of the Year in both of her seasons with the Gophers. As a senior, she led Minnesota defenders with 38 points while appearing in all 39 games.
Morrow specifically credited practice time alongside other Gopher defenders, such as fellow 2026 draftee Nelli Laitinen and current Gopher Chloe Primerano, as helping push her development.
“Nelli has one of the best defensive sticks I’ve ever seen,” Morrow said.
Some of Morrow’s favorite memories at Minnesota came from collaborating with other defenders, especially with defensive partner Primerano.
“I think we were able to create some plays that were just unique to the two of us,” Morrow said. “Some of my favorite moments in college were when her and I would have a moment where we would come up with something on the bench, then we’d go out and try it, and it worked.”
Those moments reinforced to Morrow just how much she loved working alongside teammates to find creative solutions in real time. Her collaborative approach should help ease her transition to the PWHL, especially as she will be joined by some familiar faces.
The Torrent also selected former Minnesota teammate Abbey Murphy during the draft. The two will get to reunite after spending the last two seasons playing together.
Morrow is also excited to reunite with two former Colgate teammates, Hannah Murphy and Danielle Serdachny. Morrow is especially looking forward to trying to recreate her chemistry with Serdachny.
“When I got to play with her at Colgate, we had so much chemistry,” Morrow said. “I can’t wait to replicate that in Seattle.”
Although hockey continues to take Morrow across the country, the sport will always hold a special meaning to her back at home, where she grew up playing alongside her two brothers and sister.
Her oldest brother, Scott, has played in the National Hockey League since 2024 and is part of the New York Rangers organization. Her other older brother, Spencer, continues to play the sport as well. Meanwhile, her younger sister, Sophie, just finished up her freshman year playing at Penn State University.
Growing up in a hockey household means that competition has always been a part of her everyday life.
“I have a huge hockey family,” Morrow said. “We’re definitely super competitive.”
Away from the rink, she enjoys baking, going to the movies and spending time with friends. None of that is expected to change as she becomes a professional hockey player, not even her nickname preference.
“I feel like I always just go as Syd,” Morrow said with a laugh. “If my family members were to call me Sydney, I would probably think I was in trouble.”
Soon, “Syd’s” next chapter will unfold on the West Coast, but much of what she will bring to Seattle was shaped during her two seasons with the Gophers. The confidence she developed against elite competition and the identity she has established will now travel with her to the professional game.
