Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

For the past 20 years, I have played a game that I love and have put blood, sweat, and tears into. This senior salute is not only to say goodbye to the game and my career in hockey, but to thank the people that have helped me along the way to make me the player and person I am today.  
   
There have been so many people throughout my hockey career that I could not have made it this far without. First off I have to thank my parents. Mom and Dad, you have been there for me every step of the way from bringing me to 6 a.m. Pee Wee practices to traveling to Texas to watch me play juniors. But most of all, you have been my best fans! Mom, I love it how in 20 years you have never told me I have had a bad game. You always tell me how you love watching me and that means so much to me. I also have to thank you for all your support during my injuries in my career. It always seemed when I got hurt you were always the one that brought me to the game or in a hotel taking care of me after a concussion, stitches, ankle surgery, or my knee injury, and the list probably goes on. Thanks Mom again for everything that you have done for me. Dad, you taught me so much about the game, and are still repeating the same things 20 years later. You have been my off-the-ice coach and my motivator since the days you were tying my skates. You have told me so many things about hockey that I still remember to this day, even if I do say “Yes, Dad I know,” I do listen to you and take your advice. Thanks Dad for everything, I will never be able to repay the opportunity and experiences you gave me playing hockey. I also want to thank my sister Whitney for wishing me good luck before every game. Whick, thanks for coming to all my games even though a lot of the time I know you didn’t want to, you were a trooper and I loved you being there to watch me play. Also my brother Bronson, I want to thank you for the support you have given me and the feeling of being a good role model of an older brother. All the times I used to beat you in the neighborhood circle games I just wanted to tell you sometimes I really had to try to beat you, or even cheat to win. Also I want to thank my girlfriend Jessie for always being there for me and giving me good encouragement everyday to play hard and have fun. Thanks again family, I love you all!
   
Now I have to thank my roommates, Matt Staehely, Eric Tenvoorde, and Anthony Bohn, for being my best friends throughout college. You guys have been the best roommates anyone could ask for and I want to thank you guys for everything you have done. I also have to say that yes Bohn you may have the most M.O.F. (Most Outstanding Friend) points in your mind, but all three of you are equal and I can’t wait to be lifelong friends with you guys. Dahl, I will never forget our Blue Chip days in the Cloud which prepared us to be the best line mates and friends ever. Staehely, it’s been a pleasure being your roommate and I will never forget the times at your house in the summer, that better continue. Also the original Pines guys A.J, Miller, Doobs, and Lincoln Nygneon, you guys have been there since day one, thanks for all the good and bad memories.
   
I want to thank all my past and former teammates for all the lifelong memories I have had with you guys. From being on the ice, the locker room talks, bus rides, and overnight stays I will remember you all and I want to thank you for all of those times. I also want to thank all my past coaches for teaching me the game and influencing me to continue my hockey career as long as I could.
   
Thanks Saint Mary’s University for the money and support you put into the hockey program and giving me the opportunity to play college hockey. From the first time I got to this campus I knew it was the right fit for me. Thanks Buck for influencing me on my visit to come here and for what a great friend you have been to me. I want to thank Coach O for everything he did for me my first two years on campus. I was so pleasured to be coached and taught by you. One key reason I came here was because of Lenny Hofmann. From the first time Lenny talked to me, I knew that he was straight forward and putting together a team that would compete. Lenny, you went to so much work to bring our whole senior class here and I just want to thank you for that and from all of the guys. Thanks for giving me the opportunity and giving me motivation even when you’re not here.
   
I want to close on saying good luck to the guys and the future of Saint Mary’s University hockey. I know during my time here we never had a perfect record, but the experience of playing college hockey for this program has been an experience I will never forget.
   
The #34 I wear started out as a joke, but it turned out to be something I love and for that I want to next year give it to the one and only Kevin “Cha Went’s” Wentland, good luck with it man and keep flooding the zone.
   
The people I have thanked does not even come close to the amount of people I need to say thanks to, but I do appreciate everyone that I have come across throughout my life and everyone of you have a made me into the person I am. Thanks again to everyone!