Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

Throughout my life, I have always thought that I would die if I wasn’t able to play this game.  And now that I’m down to my last remaining games, I look back and remember all the memories I have had playing this game.  Some were good and some were bad.  But the one thing I will never forget is all the friends I have made through this game.  When one defines a successful career, it is often defined in terms of wins and losses, unfortunately if I defined my career in those terms I would be forced to call my career unsuccessful.  But, the most important aspect of a game that is often forgotten is the intention that the game is supposed to be fun.  And at one point in all of our lives we picked up a stick not to win, but because we love to play the game.  And every day I get to come to the rink put on my pads and play the game I love, and for that reason alone I have had a successful career.
   
In order to play this game, you need an excellent support staff on your side for all the good times and the bad.  As people grow older some are filled with regret that they weren’t able to have as good of a relationship with their parents as they would like to.  Not many people can say they are able to see their parents every day, and even less can say they had such an integral part of their career.  My dad has been my coach ever since I was a freshman in high school.  He was the first one there when I had a good game and the first one consoling me after a bad one.  I will be the first one to tell you that it is not always an easy thing to have a parent as your coach, but I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.  He has been my inspiration and a great role model.  If I am able to grow up and be half the man he is, I will consider myself extremely lucky.  Like most other hockey players in their careers, they have their No. 1 fan.  And like most other players, mine is most definitely my mom.  If anyone ever sits next to heart a game, you know what I’m talking about.  She is the one who is constantly screaming at the top of her lungs.  Whether it is at the ref, the stupid coach for making bad decisions, or even me for making her worry.  In the end she always had my back in the good, the bad, the thick and the thin.  Thank you for all you two have down for me throughout my career.  I know without you there is no way I would have played this game as long as I have.  
   
I would also like to thank Tom Peart, Donny Nadeau, Steve Carroll, Steve Hogue, Don Olson, J Reszka, and Ryan Egan.  All of you have helped develop my skills as a player and help me along the way as a person.  All the helpful guidance you have provided me with is certainly priceless and I will miss relationship we have shared.  I would also like to take a moment to remember Coach Tom Farren.  He was the first person on this campus who made me feel like a Cardinal and offered me my first job in the ice rink.  He was also around to chat and help me with any problems I had.  You may be gone but you are never forgotten.  
   
Last, but definitely not least, I would like to thank my grandparents.  I can’t even count all the miles they would drive to come watch me play.  They were always very supportive and I’m very appreciative for all they have done for me and my family.
   
Throughout the past four years, I have been through everything.  I have made so many good friends and memories that have made this experience one of the greatest in my life.  Thank you to everyone who came to support Cardinal hockey during the past four years.  To each of the underclassmen I offer a small piece of advice, play each game as if it were your last, remember why you laced them up in the first place, and have fun.  Because in the end, the game is meant to be fun.  Thank you to everyone who helped make my experience at Saint Mary’s University a great one.  
   
And in the words on Bob Johnson, “It’s a great day for hockey.”