For most seniors, the hardest day of their career is playing in their last game. For me, the hardest day was October 15th, the first day of tryouts of what was supposed to be my senior season. On that day, my career was over. When I stepped onto the ice, I was no longer a player, I was a coach. Instead of finishing my career sitting on the bench, I would spend it standing behind the bench. Though I would have loved to spend the season on the ice, with my teammates, I would not trade the experience I have gained. Injuries cannot be controlled, or predicted, but I think mine came at just the right time. A quote that many people live by says that “everything happens for a reason” and I think that has proven to be true. I have gained many experiences while playing, and while coaching. I was given the opportunity to say goodbye to the sport while still being a part of it. Senior day is not so much a sad one, as it is a reflection on all of the things I have learned throughout my entire career. I said good bye to the my playing days the day the doctor said I was done; I had all summer to cope with this day. I started playing hockey when I was 4 years old; I played my last game at 20 years old. I’d say in those 16 years I had a pretty good run. I have so many people to thank for helping me get to where I am today. For some of these, I will try to put them into words, but words will not do justice to the thanks and gratitude I have towards them.
To start it off, I need to thank my family. I don’t know how I’m suppose to thank the two most important and influential people in my life; my parents. I also have an amazing brother and wonderful grandpa that have helped me in so many ways.
Mom, I know you’re going to be crying reading this whole thing so I thought I would write my thank you to you first so you can get some of the heavy tears out of the way. You are my role model. I hope one day I can grow up to be as strong and powerful of a woman as you. I know as a little girl, I was really naughty and probably not to pleasant to be around. But you put up with me anyway, you still admitted that I was your little girl, and even after we fought, you still loved me. Today, we still have our occasional arguments, but I think it’s a mutual feeling when I say I truly enjoy spending time with you. No matter what we are doing, I just love being around you and talking with you. Yes you are still my mom, but you have also become my friend. I know I can confide in you and I will always get an honest opinion. Even if it’s not what I want to hear, your advice always makes me a stronger person. I know I never became that gymnast you were hoping for, but you always stuck by my side through baseball, hockey, tennis, and softball and were always there to support me. For all the blood, sweat, and tears that went into my athletic endeavors, you were always there to bandage up the blood, remind me I was stinky so I made sure to shower, and wiped away the tears. Thank you so much mom, I love you the mostest, and always will.
Dad, I would never have reached where I am today if it wasn’t for you. You were willing to spend hours upon hours with me at the ball fields, at the rink, in the basement, doing anything I wanted to be around sports. You taught me everything I know. I would not be the athlete I am today if it wasn’t for you. You were the greatest coach I ever had. What I loved most about having you as a coach is that it meant I got to spend even more time with you. You never treated me any differently than anyone one on the team, but at the end of the day, it was me that got to ride home with you, not anyone else. I know it was harder on you this year than it was on me. I wanted to give anything I could to be able to finish out my career so you could see me play till the end since you created me from the beginning. You never once pushed me to play as I was growing up, which made me want to keep going even more. During games, you were my coach, but after games, you were my dad. As I got older, the thing I loved the most is that after a game, if I wanted to talk about the game, we would, but if not, you were willing to talk about anything else. Even if I played horrible and I knew it, you’d just tell me to go get um the next day. You never once made me feel like I wasn’t playing well or like I wasn’t good enough. You were always my support system that just encouraged me to keep working hard and I’d get to where I wanted to be. Because of you, I grew into the strong women that I am today. I learned to be a leader because I have watched you be such an amazing leader for years. You truly are the most amazing man I know, and I am lucky enough to be able to call you my dad. I love you so much dad, thank you for everything you have been and will continue to be.
Brandon, thanks to you, I became involved in sports. I know I was always the annoying little sister who wanted to do everything her big brother did, but thankfully, you always let me play. There were many times where you should have smacked me silly, but you never did. I’m glad that as we have grown older, we have grown closer. I have always looked up to you since we were little, and I can still say the same thing today. I am very lucky to have a big brother that is protective of me, who is always there for me, and whom I can talk to about anything. My goals have always been modeled after you. I wanted to succeed in sports like you did, I wanted to be as smart in school as you were (I couldn’t quite reach that but it was still good to shoot for!), and I wanted to be as street smart as you, but I think we all know I’m a bit too blonde for that to ever happen! Even though we didn’t have a say in the matter, I’m so happy and proud to say that you are my big brother.
Gramps, you truly are my #1 fan. All the time I was growing up, you and grandma never missed a game. You both were always there to cheer me on and greet me with a big hug after the game. I would always look for the big thumbs up you’d give me from the stands, and I would smile as your face lit up as I would give it back. I love the time I get to spend with you. Whether it is cleaning or doing yard work or simply having dinner after a game, I truly enjoy being around you. I know it has been difficult for you not being able to see me play this year, but I still loved having you at the games, and I know the rest of the team did too. And even though you may have been at the games alone, I know there was always a little angel sitting on your shoulder cheering me on as well. Grandma always seems to have a way of keeping you safe for me!
Now it’s time for me to thank my second family; my hockey team. I was given a great opportunity to play 3 years of collegiate hockey and coach during my 4th year. I have coaches and teammates that I need to thank for these opportunities.
Coach Mannor, I don’t really know how I can thank you for everything you have done for me. You were not only a great coach, but also a wonderful mentor. You not only have taught me a ton about the game of hockey, you have also taught me a great deal about life. As a player, I learned to always keep my feet moving and play from the heart. As a coach, I learned that the things you do and the decisions you make are not nearly as simple and easy as most people might think. I think coaching is one of the best opportunities you have given me. I learned a lot about leadership in a different manner than I was accustomed to, and I learned the game from a completely different point of view. Throughout these 4 years, you have put up with all of my questions, all of my frustrations, and helped me to become a better person. I especially want to thank you for assisting me through my shoulder injury during softball season as well as the summer after surgery. Not many coaches would be as concerned and caring as you were. It meant a lot to me that throughout that entire time, you were always thinking of me and my well being. I lost count of how many times you told me I should take care of myself and do what’s best for me. Even though I didn’t want to make the decision to hang up the gear, you knew it was the right one from the beginning, yet you never pushed me towards it, you let me make the decision for myself. Thank you for everything you have done for me coach.
Coach (Greg) Moore: It has been a great time getting to coach with you this season. You did an excellent job as a coach when I played but since I wasn’t a defensemen or goalie, I never got to work with you much other than penalty kills. I hope you realize how much knowledge you have about the game. If you continue to coach, I am positive you will make a great head coach someday. I have learned a great deal from you this season as well. You gave me another view on how to look at the game. You always seem to be in a great mood, and whenever I need someone to calm me down on the ice when I was frustrated, you always seemed to find a way. You do so much for this program that not many people get to see. I hope you continue to coach and share your vast knowledge with many players to come.
Donny: I just wanted to thank you for all the time and effort you put into sports at Saint Mary’s. The stats are always updated and the stories are always excellent. Every time I see you, you always have a smile on your face and greet me with a friendly hello. You are a great SID and a great person to be around, thank you.
Seniors: Well Julie, it looks like this section is to you. I can’t believe you’re the only one left from our initial freshman class. I’m really glad that I was able to go through these four years (in both sports) as your teammate. I think we’ve both grown up a lot over those years and as we’ve grown, we’ve grown closer. You are not only a great student and athlete, but you’re also a great friend. I’m glad we could finish these years out together even if I wasn’t able to be next to you on the ice.
Juniors: I remember when you all were freshman and I was scared to death of what might come. I’m really proud to say that you have all grown so much. I have become close friends with all of you and I can’t thank you enough for your support as teammates as well as the support and encouragement you gave me this season. Haley- You are an amazing leader. You did a great job leading this team and I know next year you will be just as great. I wish I would have had the opportunity to play on a line with you but either way, I’m glad I was able to be on a team with you. Sparky- Smile ? You always seemed to find a way to make me do that. I really enjoyed playing on a line with you for two years. Whenever lines would get changed around, I always knew I would have you on by side, and I was so thankful for that. I also want to thank you for your constant support throughout surgery and during this season. Even though I couldn’t play, I think we’ve become even better friends.
Sophomores: You are all such a great group of people and you have a ton of talent. All it will take is hard work and you all will be extremely successful. Stay close to one another and remember that it’s ok to make mistakes along the way. Terry and Greg know a ton about the game, be willing to listen to them and embark and the challenges that they give to you. They wouldn’t push you all so hard if they weren’t positive that you could step up to the challenge.
Freshman: You are such a talented group of individuals. Make sure you continue to stay close. As you all have realized your teammates become your best friends. I have never seen a class get along as well as you all do. Remaining close on and off the ice will only bring you more success in future years, and you all are bound for success. Even though I didn’t have the opportunity to play with all of you, it was great getting to know you and being able to help introduce you to what being a cardinal is all about.
Managers: You two are great. It was a lot of fun hanging out with you guys this season. Whether it was killing time before games or exploring at away games, you both always made it fun. Thank you for everything you do for the team. Filling waters, taking care of sticks, running errands during practice, filming games, it all helps the team a great deal and you both do an excellent job over and above what is expected.
There are many previous players in this program that helped me throughout my four years at SMU. Al, you always brought entertainment and smiles to the locker room and off the ice. Dana, you were always fun to talk to about anything and everything, we always seemed to laugh and have a good time during our talks. Sheree, you were the spark of the team. You always worked your butt off and kept a positive attitude. Sara, you were such a great senior to have as a role model during my freshman season. You showed me that hard work will take me where ever I wanted to go, and you were always looking out for me. Nicole, I don’t know what to say to you. Thank you for letting me be your mini me. You welcomed me into the team before you even knew me and once we became teammates, you became one of my best friends. You were an amazing leader and there wouldn’t have been anyone better to learn from. Thanks for showing me the way and taking me under your wing from the beginning, I can’t imagine how things would have been if I wouldn’t have had you around.
I also want to thank all of the parents who come to each and every game to support the Cardinals. All of your support is greatly appreciated. Thank you to all of the Saint Mary’s athletic staff as well as the academic faculty. I have truly enjoyed me time at Saint Mary’s and you all have made it feel like my second home. I can’t wait to embark on the journeys that lie ahead, but I will never forget the Saint Mary’s community.
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