Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

A game that is full of many challenges and battles has one more for me, and that is the battle that ends my hockey career. This great game has created so many extraordinary memories for me, in a way it has created the person that I am today. For nearly twenty years I have enjoyed this sport and never wanted to experience the end, but the time has come. All of the games, practices, friendships and most of all the memories have been the most enjoyable parts of my life. I have loved this game my whole life, it has been an escape for me. Allowing me to put all my worries aside and enjoy it every time I lace up my skates and step onto the ice. Getting the chance to play college hockey was always a goal of mine since I was a little kid and the experience here at Saint Mary’s has been everything that I ever dreamed of.
  
First of all, I would like to thank my parents for everything they have done and do for me. I cannot express enough how thankful I am for all of the sacrifices they have made to let me pursue my dream of being a hockey player. You have been my support system through the thick and the thin. You were always there to celebrate the good times and were always there to be a shoulder to cry on through the bad times. Dad, you have influenced me in so many ways and I would not be where I am today without you. All of the countless hours we spent on the ice working on my individual skills have paid off and are much appreciated. I even value the countless rides home after a game when you would pull out your notebook, and analyze how I played. All of the pointers made me become a better player. Even though I didn’t always act like I appreciated it all, I truly did. I am really thankful for how hard you pushed me. You were and are a great role model. You have taught me to hold my head high at all times, always work hard, and always play at the highest level. Mom, you are the one person that has given me all my strength and my will to battle every day. I have a totally different outlook to life and it is because of you. I know you are looking over me every day and I know you are at every game I play. All in all, I was extremely blessed to have the best two parents any “hockey” kid could ask for. I love you both so much.
   
Secondly, thank you to my brothers. You have both been the best; you support me in everything I do and are always there for me. Scott, you are a great older brother. You’re a great leader and I always knew I was following a great person. I always wanted to do whatever you did. You made me a better player and person, it was always a goal of mine to beat you and even though I never did, you pushed me to become bigger, better, and stronger. I thank you for being such a great older brother. Todd, you are also a great brother. You are always there for me and I know I can always get a good laugh whenever I talk to you. I am so proud of all your accomplishments and everything you do. I hope that I have been as strong of a role model as I had. Scott and Todd, the memories of countless hours of playing hockey in the driveway and in the basement will always stay close to my heart. I am so proud of both of you and am so lucky to have two great brothers.
   
I would also like to thank my coaching staff and the Saint Mary’s athletic department. Coach Moore, thank you for all of the support you gave me through all of my injuries and for always believing in me as a leader and a hockey player. To Coach Egan, you have brought so much hockey knowledge and passion to this team; I cannot express how much I appreciate all of the time you spend to make our team better. Coach Reszka, thank you for always making sure that I stayed focused on the game. Also, I would like to thank Coach Olson and Coach Hoffman, without the two of you I would have never have had the chance to play at Saint Mary’s. And of course Ambjor, you have had to put up with me a lot and usually when I am in a bad mood. Thank you for all of the hours you spent with me to get me healthy so I could have the chance to play the game that I loved again.
   
To my teammates, you guys are all I could ask for. I always looked forward to be able to come to the ice rink day in and day out. Even the hard times were made easier because I always had so much fun spending time with all of you. Underclassman, I want you to enjoy your time here and make the most of it. As I said everyday “Play like every shift is your last,” — it all goes by fast so make sure you enjoy it. Play hard and Play together. Seniors, it’s been a blast. We have all been together from the first day in the Pines all the way to the last time we take off our Cardinal sweaters together and all of the high and low times in-between. But one thing is for sure, I look forward to many more years of friendship with each and every one of you.  A.J. and Lincoln, you have been great best friends; you are always two friends that I know I can talk to whenever I need something. Thank you for all the good times, endless laughs and endless memories.
   
Lastly, thank you to everyone that supports Saint Mary’s Hockey. This has been a great four years of my life. I will treasure all of the memories forever. I am so proud to be a Cardinal hockey player. Good Luck in the future!