Jim Bids Farewell

It almost seems like yesterday I was sitting in Southwest Ice Arena with my dad for my first skating lessons. I remember sitting on the ledge near the fake fireplace and my dad was tying my Bauer skates. My skates didn’t fit all that well, they pinched a little at the toes, but I didn’t care — I was getting ready to go and skate. My dad was explaining to me the techniques of tying a good skate so I could do it next time. I pulled on the gold yellow jersey that I got— it was brand new and at that moment, it was my favorite jersey in the whole world. I stepped onto that ice not sure where to go, but just started skating. I, of course, had skated before in the backyard, but never a real rink. I was doing great and now I cannot believe where I am today. When I graduated from high school, I wasn’t really sure if I wanted to go to school. I didn’t like school all that much when I was in high school, I just wanted to play hockey. After talking it over with my parents, I thought I would give it a shot and apply to a school. I applied to one school, there was no essay to write, there was no fee to apply and they had hockey. If I didn’t get in, then I would just do something else. Well, I got in and it was probably the best decision I made in my life. Saint Mary’s has given me an education that is important to my family and me. Saint Mary’s has also brought me new friends and new relationships that have made my life better. My friends are important and have helped me through the years with hockey and school. I’d like to thank a few for being there for me and supporting me. Brian, my roommate, you have had to put up with me for three years of your college life — I don’t know how you did it. You have always listened to me about how I played or have offered an opinion about hockey — you have been a great friend. Adam, you have only had to deal with me for two years. I know you’re not a huge hockey fan, but you still have helped with hockey and life. I have great respect for you as a person and a friend, you have been a guide for me keeping me on track with school. To my rugby players, you support me in many ways, mainly picking me up when I’m down. Thank you. To Dave, the longest-tenured friend I have here at Saint Mary’s — you have been with through thick and thin since the Yons days. Dave you are everything anybody could want in a friend. You have repeatedly taken the highs and the lows with me. Thank you. To Jenni, you are always at my games to support me, mainly cause you have to work, but I know you would support me anyway. You’re a wonderful girlfriend, thank you. To the guys on the team and the coaches we have had a lot of good times. Coach Olson, you have given me so much more knowledge of the game and you have taught me there is more to hockey than always hitting or playing with so much emotion. You have shown me control and sportsmanship, thank you. To Lenny and Bry, I loved playing with, and love playing under, you. The two of you have bright futures in the game, thank you. Coach F, thank you for making sure I had tape and making sure I was ready to play. Donny, thanks for keeping track of all my points and always making my push-ups more difficult on the ice. I will always remember the Augsburg Cup champs. I will miss the Curtis comments and the marble. I will miss Tony’s ridiculously ugly skates. I will miss the Christmas party at Coach O’s. I will miss waking up and walking over to Marcus’, Hut’s and Gill’s to get a ride to the rink. I wish the best of luck to the younger guys and value your time. Thank you guys. Now to thank the most important people in my life, my family. Eileen, thank you for visiting me and supporting me through my career, either by asking me how I did or letting me use your car to go to hockey. To Kelly, you have always been one of my biggest fans — you have been there for me with or without hockey. Thank you. Margaret, you have come a long way toward liking hockey, but have supported me all the way. Theresa, Emily, and Timmy, you have not endured that much hockey, but you are good sports about it. Thank you. To Mom and Dad, you are the sole reason I am where I am today. Mom, you are the best mom in the world you care no matter what I do. You are the perfect hockey mom — as a nurse you made sure that my body was ready to play no matter how much you worried about me getting hurt. You knew how much I loved playing the game and supported me. You work so hard to put me through hockey and school, thank you for everything in my life, I love you. Dad, what can I say? You are everything I strive to be. You work so hard for our family and always make us laugh. You have supported me throughout my hockey career molding me into a great hockey player. You always knew when to push me (which was mainly all the time), and I would never change that. You did everything right in my hockey career. You also have raised me into the man I am today, which I only hope one day I can do as good as you have done with me. You now get to do it again with your other son and I know you will do everything right with him. You are the best father a kid could want. I love you.