Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

Early morning practices to really late-night practices, driving/flying halfway across the country for a weekend, numerous coaches, memories and life long friendships, hockey has been a part of my life for over 15 years, and my career is unfortunately coming to an end. The last four years at Saint Mary’s have been 4 of the most impactful years of hockey and there are so many people to thank and say goodbye before it is over.
    
First, I want to say thank you to my parents. Dad, thank you for waking up for those 6 am practices and driving me to SIA before the sun could even rise, just to watch me skate as a mite. Thank you for always volunteering to work the penalty box when someone was needed (I know it was just because you wanted to spend more time with me even during games). You are the reason I play the game, and without you, I would not have the love for it. I know you haven’t made as many games as you would have liked in my college career, but I know you’re watching them live and still cheering for me. Mom, thank you for being the best crazy hockey mom ever. You have driven and flew me across the world just to play a game I love. Without you, none of my career would have been possible. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the sacrifices that both of you have made to get me where I am today. Your hard work does not go unnoticed. I truly appreciate everything the two of you have done for me. I have some of the best memories from hockey, and without you two it would not have been possible. As my parents, you have always supported my decisions and without you guys, I wouldn’t be who I am today.
    
Anthony and Joey, thank you for being two of the best big brothers I could have asked for. I do blame you two, for my penalty minutes because I think if I didn’t have two older brothers always beating me up, I wouldn’t be so aggressive. Anthony, thank you for being a role model and someone that I have looked up to my whole life. Thank you for taking the time to skate, shoot, and stick handle with me. Even if it turns out I’m the one giving you the tips. Joey, thank you for always coming to my games, even when you didn’t want to. The trips you made to Winona without mom and dad were great, and I loved every minute that you were here!
    
Brad, thank you for being one of my biggest fans from hundreds of miles away! Walking to coffee shops just to get WIFI to watch my games will always be something I appreciate! Your love and support for me has been so generous this past year, and I thank you for always being there when I needed you the most.
    
Past alumni (Al, Nicole, Julie, & Haley) thank you for being so hard on me when I was just a freshman. You guys set rules and expectations every year you were here, and I have truly looked up to you guys since then. My former coach, Tony Cachey, thank you for pushing me to be the player I am today. You have taught me so many lessons, not just about hockey, that I am forever grateful for. Thank you to my friends back home for the countless visits to see me play and cheering for me from different states. Alex and Rosie thank you for reminding me what it’s like to have a little piece of home when I’ve felt lost and frustrated. Two of the best super fans I could have asked for at Saint Mary's!
    
Donny and Toni thank you for welcoming me into athletics sophomore year and allowing me to grow and learn with your help. I know I am not the easiest to put up with, but working with you two has been a pleasurable experience at Saint Mary’s and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Thank you for all the “good lucks” and deals we make to keep me motivated for a weekend series.
    
Coach Mannor, thank you for giving me opportunities over my career here at Saint Mary’s. The lessons I have learned here I will take with me forever. I know it may seemed like our time together was a roller coaster, but I am very thankful you gave me the chance to be apart of this team for four years. Gmo, thank you for being the best mentor I could have found at Saint Mary’s. You have impacted my life in many different ways, and it’s something I will never be able to repay you for. Thank you for teaching me which battles to pick, and guiding me down the right path. You were always good at reminding me how strong I was when I needed it the most. Haley, you truly are the best manager in the MIAC. I have never met someone so sweet and special like you, and I appreciate all of the hard work you put into making sure we have everything! A little thank you to Jill for putting up with me and my “get out of jail free cards” over the past couple years as well. To the men’s hockey senior class, it’s been a really fun and exciting four years with you guys. I am really happy that I got to know most of you over our time and am excited to see what’s in store in post-season for the both of us, good luck!
    
Now to the 21 sisters that I have spent this past year with:
    There is no better feeling than walking into the locker room after a long day of classes and seeing you guys for those couple of hours. Coming to practice is something I look forward to everyday and it is because of the 21 other girls sitting in the stalls around me that make it worth it. Whether its losing in odds, calling each other psycho, singing, or just talking about our days, you girls have made this one of my favorite years yet. I cannot even begin to express to you girls how much this season has meant to me. Thank you for making playoffs possible for me for the first time in four years.
    
First years - Seriously, when people tell you it flies by, believe it. Do not take it for granted. It feels like yesterday I was some punk freshman reading the salutes the seniors had written that day. You guys have brought so much spunk and energy to the table. Each one of your personalities was something this team hasn’t seen before, and it’s great. Enjoy your next years here at SMU and have as much fun as possible. Play every game like it’s your last.
    
Sophomores - It has been a lot of fun playing with you guys the past two years. I am really happy about some of the friendships that I have made with some of you. Next year, is another year to strive for playoffs, and I am excited for some of you to step up to the challenge as upperclassmen.
    
Juniors - Do not wish next year away. It’ll be here and gone before you know it. It does not even seem like you guys still have another year left because it seems like we’ve played together for a while. Everyone in this class is truly set out for success and I believe in each and every one of you.
    
McKenna – Thank you for being the best friend I could have ever met at SMU. I remember your recruiting visit, and I knew from there that we would either click really well, or butt heads really bad. I am very thankful it was the first option. You have been my “person” since I have met you, and I cannot believe our time of playing hockey together is coming to an end. You have made me so happy in so many different ways, and I will always cherish our times together. Remember next year to always have fun, make your itineraries, and before accusing people of “stealing” stuff just look a little harder!
    
Macki Fad – I’ve never met a person so genuine caring and somewhat innocent as you. Your friendship has meant so much to me over the years, and I am so happy we are roommates to be able to share lazy Sundays together. Thank you for putting up with me even when it wasn’t easy, or even when I was in a dark place. Good luck in volleyball and hockey next year. I’ll come back to visit for cookie totes, cookie dough, Netflix, and just to pitch in during the national anthem. I’m really going to miss standing next to you two four.
    
Breanna – You have been by my side (literally) these past four years, from having the exact same class schedule majority of the semesters, to spending more hours together at practice. To be honest, I wouldn’t pick anyone else to do all that with. You have developed into an amazing teammate and friend. I know I could always count on you when I needed you the most and you were there for me every time. From being enemies during our triple A days, to teammates during our college career I will never forget the time we have spent together. Thank you for picking me up when I’m down and loving me even when I’ve made mistakes. I’ll miss playing on the ice with you, more than you know.
    
Mackenzie – I think you have made my four years at Saint Mary’s truly the best four years of my life. I cannot think of a single memory, that you weren’t there or apart of. Being roommates with you was the best time of my life, and I loved coming home to you. Meeting you when we were younger was a good day, but reuniting move in day was an even better day. I appreciate your friendship and support of my crazy self of trying to figure my life out over the past four years. I have truly loved your creative, artistic, weird self for four years and if I have never said it before, thank you for being my friend. I don’t know whom else I would run football plays with or steal furniture with during the year. I cannot wait to see what the semester has in store for us. But I also cannot wait to be the manager at Cake-Eaters in the future.
    
My college career is slowly coming to an end and what a rollercoaster it was. Thank you, Saint Mary’s, for having me, and thank you to the sport of hockey for the best experiences I could have asked for in my time of playing. Putting on the Cardinals jersey has been a memorable experience that I will cherish forever. Good luck to all future Saint Mary’s athletes, and remember to never take this time for granted.