Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines your steps.” Proverbs 16:9.

I look at that verse today, and never would I believe four years ago, that I would be here writing my Senior Salute. If you knew me my freshman year, you also would never believe I would make it to my senior year here at SMU. But, through thick and thin, I have made it here, and have the opportunity to thank all of the people in my life who have gotten me here to this point. I could not be more grateful for the opportunity that I have gotten here at Saint Mary’s to be here and play hockey for four years. I have learned endless lessons, good and bad, throughout my years playing, and have met so many people that I would not be the same without.

On to the thank you’s, I cannot thank everyone I want, but I hope I can at least do justice with what I have to say. I’ll try to keep it as short as I can, but I usually talk a lot.

Mom and Dad — I don’t think either of you realized what you were getting yourselves into when you agreed to let me skate on the pond one winter with Pete and his friends. Since then, it has been a whirlwind of ups and downs, but you both have been my biggest supporters through all of this. I cannot say thank you enough and tell you how much your support has meant to me, but I will do my best. You both have had to sacrifice so much of your time and money for me, and I do not think any two other parents would have done the same. I know you wouldn’t have changed it for anything, but just know that I appreciate every single trip to Connecticut the day after Christmas, (even when I broke my arm there and when we drove to New Jersey on accident, oops) I appreciate every weekend showcase trip to whatever state was hosting it. Mom, I know you cannot be here tonight, but I know you are following your own dreams of teaching, and you should be proud of what you are doing. Don’t cry too much when you read this, or at least have Magnus near you when you are crying! Dad, thank you for all the times you have taken me to practice and been there for me when I needed tough love, as well as help support me and remind me to fight for what I believe in, and to not get pushed around. I know you have traveled a lot for work, but I love seeing you in the stands and being able to be here when you can. Mom, you were always the one who would be doing her kindergarten school work in the hotel rooms, while the other parents were taking jello shots to pre-game our wonderful AAA girls hockey games. (That actually did happen.) I cannot say how much I appreciate your through all of my years of hockey.

My wonderful siblings — the sport of hockey has been amazing to me, but also has made me feel guilty. I know how expensive this sport is, and clearly playing AAA hockey- it requires a lot of travel and time away from home. I love you all so much! Karl and Nora- Thank you for your ever-encouraging words, and being there for when I played in Chicago.

Nora, I love having another sister in the family, to help even out the boys, and don’t worry- your wish to get all the Klockars kids together WILL happen this summer. Karl, I don’t really remember if you came to any of my games when I was younger, but I think you were busy enough with your band, and comic book reading. ? I love you both!

Pete — Where do I begin with you? We look the most alike, we are the most alike, yet we fight the most? With that said, I admire your endless drive and passion for what you want. You knew you wanted to be a police officer when you went to school, and you did not stop until you reached your goal, and (I’ll admit it) I’m proud of you for graduating from the academy. I may not always agree with your outlandish ideas, need to get a new car/truck every month, the need to try out your police moves on me, or the joy you get from making fun of me. However, at the end of the day, you are my big brother and I look up to you. Thank you for blasting your music too loud for my ears, getting me to love country music, and always driving way too fast for mankind. I love you, too, I suppose ?

Karin — Where on earth did we learn to make our own language, be so creative to think of sweet names, and love Dalmatians? Either way I would not change any of this for the world. Everyone in the family thinks we are crazy, and I love it when they do not understand a word we are saying! Thank you so much for supporting my hockey, and being there whenever you can. I love you tons and tons, and I cannot thank you enough for how much you are always there for me, how much time and effort you have given to my life and I could not have a better big sister!

Paul — Blue boy! Gosh why do you have to live so far away? Please move back soon! I miss you a lot, and really wish you could be closer to home. I miss having you around the house to pick on, to help occupy my time when I am bored, to go on a random bike ride, or a random run with the puppy. Please come home soon! I love you, and be safe down there in the boonies of Mississippi doing what you do best- serving our country!

Suzie, Dish, My sister — thank you for putting up with me. I do not know why you have stayed friends with me since we were five, but I could not be more grateful that you did. We are two peas in a pod, and I am sad we have been apart for the last four years. I am happy that I will be coming home and we can finally be neighbors again. ULD.

Torry and KC — My other sisters. I love you both dearly, and could not be blessed with better neighbors, or in my eyes, two more sisters. I hope that neither of us ever moves, because if one of us does, then the other will have to. I am excited to come home and be able to spend more than one night in Wheaton. We have all been through a lot, and your mom provides endless inspiration for me. I now know what I will be doing for my dash; living it fully. She is shining down on us and we all know that we have an angel above us.

And Mr. H — you’re pretty awesome, too! I love you all so much! Coach — Who would have thought I would be here writing my senior salute? Not me that is for sure. We have had our ups and downs in the past four years, but I must say you are the one who kept me here my freshman year. I cannot thank you enough for not letting me leave (although I hated you for it at the time). I did not know it then, but I would never be where I am in life as an athlete, and as a person. I thank you for all that you have taught me in the game of hockey, as well as helping me become a more mature person. I hope you do not have another crazy freshman like I was, and don’t have to take any of them away in an ambulance, once was enough!

Tennie — Speaking of hospitals, I was so scared of you my freshman year. You have no idea. Boot camp was something I will never forget, and it was an interesting experience as I look back on it. Thank you so much for helping me for the last four years. Your comical relief is always necessary, and it is always nice having a female on the coaching staff. Coach always gets creeped out when we talk about girl things ?

Greg — “Coach Moore” — you have been a fun addition to the coaching staff. You expected respect the first day of the season, and I commend you on that. Although you were always with the goalies, you helped us out as much as you can, and always had encouraging words for us. Thank you!

Coach A — Thank you for all you have done for me the past three years here. I know you are not behind the bench this season, but we do not forget about you here. Thank you for all your endless hours helping us become better hockey players. Your dedication to hockey and to your team is amazing, I hope you are doing well!

All SMU alums — CARDINAL PRIDE. I cannot say it enough. Although we do not have a long line of women’s hockey graduates, whoever put on that jersey could not be more proud of those still playing. Your support and high expectations for the current players is a huge influence in the locker room. Thank you for all you do and all the support you give.

Sara — Wow. Can you say super senior? Just kidding, but seriously, you are crazy. Thank you for coming to almost every game, and screaming your head off. You are still “momma” to us all, and your presence pushes us to compete and never give up. That fateful email that coach made me read had a huge impact on us. It reminded everyone of who and what are playing for. Cardinal Pride is so important, and I thank you for showing everyone what it means to be a Cardinal, even after graduation. I know I will be in your shoes soon enough, and am dreading it. (Although I will not be a crazy super screaming fan who comes to every game!) I love you, and as always, GO BEARS!

Fellow seniors:?Dy — I cannot be more happy that you decided to come to SMU your sophomore year. We have gotten so close over the years, and thank you for being here with me tonight. I cannot wait to make more memories as we continue our senior year!

C — Ohhh Cierra — where do I begin? Well at least you where there our wonderful freshman year when I had no idea what I had gotten myself into! Thank you for always being able to read my mind in practice, and just be able to look at you and laugh. Although we will never agree on what team is the best in the NHL, at least we can agree that Minnesota sucks. The rest of this year is going to be amazing, and I know we can agree on that.

EJB — would you SMILE!? I’m still not happy with you about that one. But for real, I am so glad you are a part of this team. Your endless hard work and dedication can be seen every day you step into the rink. I thank you for all the time and effort you put into hockey, and your game has grown immensely because of that. With your game improving, so have your amazing dance moves. I cannot wait to see what the rest of the year has, and how awesome your dance moves will continue to rock.

Stevie — My fellow ED major! I know you will be a fantastic teacher, and absolutely love student teaching. I appreciate your honesty and your endless hard work on the ice. I will miss you dearly! Kaye — Gosh I love how we can talk about anything, literally. You have amazing talent, and always put in the extra effort to make the save. I hope you continue to be successful and never find a filter for you amazing comments!

Olson — Ole, where on earth did you learn to snipe and take that top corner from me? You are the most dedicated person I have ever skated with in my entire hockey career, which is something I envy. You always give 200% and never back down to anyone. The way you carry yourself on and off the ice is nothing but respectable, and I know with the attitude you have about life you will achieve whatever you set your mind to.

Sheree, AKA Cubby Buddy — It has been awesome having you as a part of our team. You define an energizer bunny, you go and you never stop. I cannot believe your strength and your confidence, to be able to come from another country only knowing a few people. Heck, I could not even go five hours from home, much less halfway across the world. I will miss your wonderful accent, and your encouraging words. Keep up the hard work!

Al Pal — I will also miss your hard work and dedication to this program. You are a very hard worker on the ice and in the classroom. I wish you all the best, and cannot wait to come back and visit you. Keep your head up, and know you are a very talented hockey player. I will miss you!

Sophomores, and freshmen — Know what an amazing opportunity you have here playing collegiate hockey. Never forget why you decided to come to SMU, and put on that jersey. I hope you all continue to work hard, put in the hours both on and off the ice, and maybe sometime put some time into hittin’ the books. I hope you keep building up this hockey team, and never forget cardinal pride. It means more than you know, and we have a strong tradition here; do not let that out of sight. I wish you all success, and always remember gummy bears are key between the periods!

Roommates: Kelsey — Kettles, our perfect roommate. You do a good job of attempting to keep my head on straight. Thanks for that, and I am sorry your DJ skills are not up to mine, but I appreciate you trying. I am so happy we decided to room together this year and no one has killed each other!

Emily — Ohhh Home Skillet. Four years and were still friends, that is an accomplishment in itself! I do not know how you put up with me or how I put up with you, but we have done it. I love you and hope we can have more fun as we are almost done with school.

Andrea- An-drea-uh. I seriously thought I was going to hate you this year, and that is no joke. But we have had more fun and more memories than I ever expected. We are so random, and can laugh about one word (WOOHOO!) The rest of this year is going to be so memorable, I hope, and we are going to continue to annoy the other two roommates!

Last, but certainly not least — Ryann. You are my inspiration for my everyday life. I cannot explain to you how much you mean to me and how much I miss you. You fought for your life everyday and I have endless admiration for that. I cannot believe how unfair life is, and how God could take away someone on this earth who never deserved anything like that. But I truly believe that He wanted you up there to get you off this crazy earth. I miss you and having you behind me in net as we play. You always worked hard, and wanted to make yourself a better goalie. I live everyday to honor your life, and I hope you can help me throughout my life. I still have trouble knowing that you are not here, but I know you are in a much better place, and I know I have a guardian angel watching over me. “May the good saints protect and bless you today and may trouble ignore you each step of the way.” I miss you Ry.

Thank you to all who have helped me along the way. I appreciate all your time and effort to get me where I am today. Cardinal Pride!