Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

Somewhere behind the athlete you've become and the hours of practice and the coaches who have pushed you is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back ... play for her — Mia Hamm

We all have heard this quote before, and it has never meant too much to me until I read it before the start of my last season as a hockey player. I was sitting in the stands focusing before a game at St. Thomas and it hit me that this was the last time I would ever play on this sheet of ice. After that game I sat there before every game and thought to myself I better play well because this is the last time that you’ll play here. It’s hard to think that it is all coming to an end after playing for so long. As a freshman I thought I had plenty of time before I had to write my solute, and now looking back I don’t know how the last for years went so fast.  They always say that time flies when you’re having fun, and that’s the most valid statement I have ever heard. The friends I have made, the memories that were made, and the lessons that this sport have taught me will last for my entire life. And I could not be more thankful for that.  It’s always hard to say goodbye, but I have had the time of my life playing this sport.

I guess I should start the list of thanking people now. Writing this thing is hard, so pardon me if forget some. But in general, Thank you to everyone that has supported my hockey career, no matter how little the influence was.

Thanks to my high school program, the C-E-C Lumberjacks. I was so blessed to be brought up in a program that taught me what it was to be a true hockey player. All the hard work and pain you must go through in order to be on the top of your game. I was a forward at first, and my coaches and family thought I was going to be on the varsity team pretty early, and then they told me I couldn’t be a goalie. I said alright ill prove you wrong. I made the Varsity team in 8th grade, and it was the scariest thing in the world. But my coaches, Dave Ellison, Mike Fails, and Dick Bartholdi made sure that my fear would turn into confidence. They taught me that where I grew up was full of heritage and pride for hockey, and that we need to make our names part of history in Cloquet Hockey. If that doesn’t get you motivated, then I don’t know what else could, thank you for everything you have done for me and what you have taught me growing up.

Thank you to my professors. Thank you for always understanding my love for the game. If I were ever having an issue understanding something you guys would relate it to hockey and I understood it that instant. The professors here at SMU have always taken an interest in the individual and how we were doing outside of class. I love that some of the professors would come to our games and then talk hockey in class. IT WAS GREAT! 

Thanks to my team (past and present): The first thing I think of when I think about my team, is watching all of them walk into the funeral we had for my mom, every one of you showed me that this team is unlike anything I have ever been a part of. That day was the hardest day of my life and all of you came to not only support me, but my family as well. Who could ever ask for a better team than that? Every memory I have of college involves my team. I could not have asked for a closer group of friends. This hockey program has brought me to friends that will be lifelong have found a family here at SMU. It was so much fun these past four years. All of the “would you rathers” that would make you want to puke, or all of the “guys that was DELISH” because we can’t finish saying delicious, or hours we spent laughing at what happened the night before. Those little things we do as a team have made this entire experience unbelievable. Hockey was a just sport to me before I came here, and now you ladies have taught me that we are a family playing the game we all love. 

My fellow seniors: What a ride eh? Who thought that we would be down to 5 of us after starting with 12! We started out with one heck of a bang too, troublemakers until the end in my opinion.

Juniors: one word PERSONALITY. Wow you ladies have a lot of it, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. Keep on carrying this team like you ladies always have.

Sophomores: you guys are such an odd bunch, but in the best way possible. Each one of you brings a different element to the team, but you all are extremely hard working and are going to go far.

First Years: when I first met you ladies you were the shyest bunch I’ve ever met. I mean I probably would have been to walking into the rambunctious group of hockey players we are. But there is so much potential with you ladies, both on the ice and off of it. It’s hard for me to break it down into classes, because truthfully, I never categorized any of you like that. So as whole ladies, I am so honored to have all of you as a part of my family. These four years go by too fast, so cherish every goofy, funny, and tear filled moment you have. Thank you for all the fantastic memories you gave me.  I can’t wait to comeback and cheer you on!

Thanks to Terry and Greg. I am so thankful for the opportunity you guys gave me here at SMU. It has been a great four years here. There were so many ups, and so many downs, but you guys pushed me through it. I know dealing with me probably wasn’t the easiest thing due to my stubbornness. You both care about this team so much, and it shows.

Thank you to my sister Emily. We are sisters and it’s in our nature to fight one another, but who thought I would come to the point where I would be stopping the shots while you were trying to put them in the net. I was so happy I got to play against you this year, man was that fun. When we were younger, I may have hated that you copied me in playing hockey, but I have to admit, it’s pretty sweet growing up playing hockey with your sister. You are an amazing hockey player. I am so proud of how far you have come and how far you will go! I love you!

Now comes the hard part, thank you to my parents. I was in kindergarten when I brought home a flyer for Esko Mini-Mite hockey. My mom looked at my dad and said, “You’re kidding.” My dad smiled the biggest smile and then looked back at me and smiled. That is how I started hockey. You guys made all the long trips and paid thousands of dollars just to let me do what I love. I cannot thank you enough and I will never stop thanking you for it. Dad, you have been my rock and you always will be. I remember when you bought me my first leg pads, I would practically sleep in them, and you just kept looking at me and smiling. That was always the best part of you coming to my games and watching me play. Wherever you happened to be standing I could just see you smiling knowing that no matter how the game turned out you would make sure I would have a mile on my face after it. You have supported me through all the ups and downs of my life. I will always be your little girl. Mom, I know you will never see this, but you have been my biggest fan throughout my hockey career. There was a time where you were more nervous than I was for a game, and couldn’t even watch it. Even though you didn’t see me play my senior year, I swear I could still hear you screaming at the refs. I love you both more than the whole wide world all the way to mars and past the stars.