Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

Four amazing years are drawing to a close. I’m nervous and excited to leave Winona, but all the people who are here have been my life and are irreplaceable. Being a Cardinal has been a source of pride and joy for me, through the exiting and tough times, and even though I missed my home and family back in Colorado, coming out here to Minnesota was worth every second. If any of you had seen me when I first began to play hockey, you would never have guessed a skinny uncoordinated girl from a town known for its skiers and horses would have ever made it to this level of play. Forgive the nostalgic ramblings that are to follow, but without this very personal history, I know I would be a lesser person, and I finally get a chance to articulate some things I’ve never been able to before.

Terry, I don’t think I can ever tell you how much I appreciated your support, on and off the ice, even if you are a Red Wings fan. Knowing how much you appreciated my efforts, especially when I didn’t feel like I was contributing to the team, is one very big reason I kept my enthusiasm and love for hockey. You are definitely one of the best coaches I have played for and I’m glad I got the chance to play three years for you. Thank you for letting me study abroad in London, and welcoming me back with open arms; getting to live both my college dreams was truly amazing.

Coach A, it’s hard to believe that we’re your first four year players. Thank you for all the goalie practice, for helping me improve and keeping my confidence up, the post game analysis and for the Kit Kat Bars.

Tennie, I’m sad I got only one year with you, but I’m glad I got to be a part of your first year back at Saint Mary’s, and I know we were more competitive because you kicked our butts into shape. Thank you for the boxing and dodge ball lessons, for the unforgettable day in the rain and even Champion Hill. I hope you keep kicking our butts into shape; I know it made me a better player this season.

I of course have to send shout out to the class of 2007, the ladies who took in a scared freshmen from Colorado and helped her feel at home in a very strange place. Jikki and Gage, this last year without you to talk to and share a net with was harder than I thought it would be, but your encouragement and lessons will always stick with me.

Jikki, thank you especially for all the books, tennis ball in the hallway, goalie time and going out on the ice early, and for coming to games this season.

Moo, I can’t say enough of what a great leader you were for us. I miss playing with you; your drive was always inspiring and pushed me to go harder.

Mondo, for making the transition so much easier by sticking around and keeping an eye on everything, and keeping me honest during shootouts. 

My fellow seniors, Val and Jenn, it’s been a privilege spending these last four years with you. When I think of everything we went through together I’m proud of how we’ve grown and changed, and to be the seniors for the crazy freshmen class that’s going to get even better as they go through the same journey we did.

Lexi, I’m really going to miss talking with you before every practice. You have improved so much, and I’m sad I won’t be there to see you push yourself even higher.

Britt and Em, it’s your turn now. I’m glad I got to spend my senior year with you. Keep it real back there, you’re both good goalies and good teammates.    

Team, I won’t be there to open the doors and scream for you next year, and I hope you don’t miss me too much. Please, control yourselves. Really, though, no matter where I end up, I hope that you know I’ll always be thinking of you come game day and sending you my best.

I want to thank so many people who helped me get to where I am now, I hardly know where to begin. Of course my parents, who put up with having a goalie for a daughter with grace and only the occasional moan about new pads, my Dad for being my coach for so long and making sure I really became a student of the game, and my Mom for always being in the stands and cheering me on. Ian Clark, without whom I know I would never have had the ability to play college hockey, for teaching me for ten years at GDI and never letting me make excuses. My not so little sister Kelly, for being my hockey buddy, for trying goalie first, and for always being there. Playing you at Lake Forest was really one of the best moments of my life, despite the loss, and not just because you couldn’t score on me. Knowing what we both went through to get to that moment made it something very special. To the Chicago X-Factor, for giving me the best summer of hockey I could have dreamed of, I hope we’ll play together again and defend our title as world champions come 2010. To the Steamboat Springs Hockey Youth Hockey and the Steamboat Springs High School, for giving me a place to play and giving me the chance to be the first girl to play for the high school team. The Lowell Whiteman School, for giving me academic confidence and knowledge of the world to carry me through four years of college and beyond.

Finally, all my old teammates, too numerous to mention, who welcomed me into their midst and helped me learn.