Minnetonka standout hockey forward Ava Lindsay starts her day with words to live by passed down from her father and his father.
Do something right, or don't do anything at all.
Written on a sticky note attached to her mirror, those words set Lindsay's intentions anew each day. She is the centerpiece of Minnetonka, the No. 1 team in Class 2A and the top seed for this week's state tournament. The Skippers' mission is clear: Get back to the title game and win after taking second last season.
Finishing the job won't be easy, and Lindsay isn't afraid to hold her talented teammates, eight of whom are committed to Division I college programs, accountable. But Lindsay, who signed with the Gophers, doesn't berate other Skippers at practice. A tap with her stick on their shin pads, followed by a few quiet words away from the crowd, gets her message across. So does her tireless effort on and off the ice.
"She is a humble leader who is loved and respected by our entire team," Minnetonka coach Tracy Cassano said.
Lindsay leads the Skippers with 23 goals despite missing four games to play with Team USA in the Under-18 Women's World Championship for a second consecutive year.
She is the Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year.
Current Eden Prairie girls hockey coach Steve Persian directed Breck's program for a portion of Lindsay's time with the Mustangs. She played at the Golden Valley school from seventh grade through her sophomore season. Facing Lindsay this season only impressed Persian more. He praised her consistently great performances, which stem from hard work and her competitive focus.