Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

I remember sitting in the locker room four years ago reading what the seniors then had to say in their salutes like it was yesterday, I can hardly believe that time for me to write mine has come so quick.  I’m almost at a loss for words as I’m trying to sum up my experiences of a lifetime of playing hockey and my four years as a Cardinal.  It was always a dream of mine to play College hockey and to have had the opportunity to do so for Saint Mary’s has really been a dream come true.  Being a Cardinal hockey player has been about so much more than the game itself. The friends and teammates I have met and that I have shared countless hours in the locker room, bus trips, and hotel rooms with are some of the best memories I will ever have.  As I’ve grown up from being a snot-nosed little kid that would lose my mind after every loss, I have learned that being part of a team is so much more than what our record is, losses can be forgotten but I would never replace the memories and friendships that I have made in my last four years here.  It truly has been the best time of my life. 

There are so many people that have helped me along during my 20 years of being a hockey player, first and foremost I want to thank my parents.  Mom, I don’t know where to begin, you have been my #1 fan since the first day I laced up the skates and was falling all over at Lower Chester and I am so grateful for all the love and support you have shown me.  Thank you so much for all the rides to Fryberger for 6 a.m. practice in Pee Wees, all the times I was too lazy to walk three blocks home from the rink and you would come get me, for warming up my feet in between periods of games being played when it was -20 out, and the list goes on.  You have done so much for me but none of that means as much as all the love and support you have shown me, you are awesome and I love you, thank you so much for everything!  Dad, you always pushed me to be my best on and off the ice.  For being a basketball-playing guy from Wisconsin, you still have amazing advice for me on how to better my game.  Your competitiveness and passion for sports has played such a huge part in who I am today and I wouldn’t trade that or growing up as your son for anything.  You’ve been there for me through everything, good and bad, and I appreciate, love, and respect you so much.  Thank you for everything.

To my sister, Elaina, you have been my best friend and greatest supporter through everything.  I could not have asked for anyone better to call my sister and I am so happy that we are so close.  You’ve helped me through so many tough times sports wise or not and I don’t know where I would be today without having you by my side through everything.   Thank you so much for continuing to come to so many games and be supportive and I truly don’t know what I would do without you.  On that note, Andrew, I couldn’t ask for a better guy to be with my sister — I’m glad that you have became part of the family and I know for a fact that many good times are in store for the future!  To my brothers, Mike and Jim, I looked up to you guys so much as a little kid when you guys were the stud Central hockey players and the influence that you have had on my playing career is immeasurable.  You were both my biggest critics throughout high school and all had such great advice for me after the games in what I needed to do to make it to the show!  Even though that’s not quite in the cards I know you two would be there for me with anything and I’m honored to call you two my brothers.  You both have been awesome and I appreciate everything you have done for me.

I also want to thank all the coaches that I have played under here at Saint Mary’s.  I want to start by thanking Coach F, you were an amazing person and a friend to all, you did so much for this program and you are greatly missed but will never be forgotten, thank you so much.  Coach O, you taught me so much about compassion, sportsmanship, and excellence on and off the ice.  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to play college hockey and it was a privilege playing under you for 3 years.  Coach Pert, Jay , Lenny, Bry,  Damerow, you guys all played a huge part in the player I have become today and to you as well it was a privilege playing for you guys.  Coach Mannor, although I never played under you, you were a big part in why I decided on coming Saint Mary’s, thanks for making Saint Mary’s look like the place to be on my visits down here!  Coach Moore, good luck in the future, you have a great competitive drive and a willingness and want to be better and I know great success is in store for the program.

Next to my roommates, you guys have made these four years at Saint Mary’s unbelievable.  Being your teammates, roommates, and best friends has been amazing.  Roberts, having to deal with your snoring, laughing in your sleep, and sleepwalking for the last 3 years has truly been an unforgettable experience!  We’ve had so much fun I don’t even know where to begin; you’ve been my best friend and thank you so much for all the heart to hearts, pillow talks, and amazing times. You really have made my college career better than I ever could have expected. To the rest of the BANK, Nick and Ole, this year has surpassed any expectations I ever could have had, I love being roommates with you fellas and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the last spring of my college career, I know it will be unbelievable.  To all my past roommates and team mates at the Depot and the Station and other hockey clowns at The Sioux we have had some amazing times and thank god we have cameras to remind us just how much fun we had!!  Last but not least all the Icehawk guys that came here; Gordie, Mikey, Vandy, House, Louie, Chuggsy, Melbo, Lincoln, Dru, although hockey wise things didn’t work out the way any of us envisioned, the experiences we have shared will never be forgotten and I am so proud to be part of the Hawk Nation with you guys. 

To all my teammates, you guys are what have absolutely made playing hockey at Saint Mary’s so much fun.  Being with you guys in the locker room is what I look forward to everyday, bs’n and just hanging out is what I will miss most.  To all the players of old that have graduated and moved on you guys were amazing and to my current teammates from the “pines” guys to all the freshman this year you guys are awesome and I can’t imagine a better bunch of guys to call my teammates and friends.

In conclusion, I can not put into words how grateful I am for the friendships, love, and support that I have received throughout my four years as a Cardinal.  It has been a pleasure to have been a part of this program and when the time comes when I slip off that uniform for the last time I will be honored to say that I was and always will be a Saint Mary’s Cardinal.