Graham Bids Farewell

As I drove up Highway 16 from La Crosse, Wis., on my first visit to SMU, looking at the beautiful scenery of the rivers and bluffs, I could tell I was going to love it here. I came here not really knowing anyone, but two guys that I had played against back home in St. Louis. Little did I know that one of them, Billy Flynn, would become one of my roomates and best friends here. The other, my idol, Chris Flaugher, who seems to be paving the same road I am, just a couple of years in front of me. On my visit, I had the time of my life, I even stayed an extra day because I couldn’t go home yet. The SMU experience has been something I will never forget and wouldn’t trade away for anything. Now that my time here is nearing its end, I find it hard to reflect on all the experiences that I have gained here, both in and out of hockey. First off, I would like to thank my family for their never-ending support, both monetary and loving. Growing up, you were always there for me. You allowed me to play a game that neither of you were familiar with, but that I think you have both grown to love as much as I have. You made it to as many games as possible, although it wasn’t as easy as we would have liked these last few years living so far from home. Though all the games and all the tournaments over the years, I can still remember when I used to look up at you guys in the stands to see the thumbs up or down to see how I was doing in the game. I cannot thank you enough for all that you have done for me, you have always been there for me and I hope you know how much I appreciate that. To my sisters, even though you aren’t the biggest hockey fans in the world, we have grown very close over the last few years, and I hope you realize how much I enjoy hearing what you are up to and how things are going in your lives. I would also like to thank all of my coaches over the years, especially Dave Garth and Jack Behan. You guys have taught me so much over the years, not only in hockey but also in life; we have developed relationships that continue to this day, even though I haven’t played for you guys in years. I would never leave out Mike Hazelton and Doc Runco, you guys made coming to the rink everyday fun, you have no idea how much I value the two years I played Jr. B in St. Louis. The St. Louis Jr. Blues are the best team in the nation, and we all know why; the bacon, egg, and cheeses on Sunday mornings. The three years that I had the honor of being a Cardinal are years I will never forget. The coaches here are truly a player’s coaches and have made the transition to SMU a very smooth and comfortable one. To Coach “O,” you have built a quality program here over the years, and I am proud to have been a part of it. Mannor, since my first visit you have shown me what it is to be a Cardinal, I wish you all the luck in the world with the women’s team. Lenny, you bring a fresh and enthusiastic approach to the game and your hockey knowledge is endless, you are a valuable asset to the program, you will make a great head coach one day. Bry, we were rookies together, now you are my coach, I have so many memories both of hockey and of the weekends which makes me laugh every time I think about it. To coach “F” and Donny, you are key parts of the SMU machine, with out you the wheels would come off and nobody would know what to do. Lastly, I would like to thank everyone I have become close with over the last three years — there are too many to name but you know who you are. I love all of you. Knowing that I will be going home to St. Louis after graduation and realizing that it will be hard to keep in touch makes it very difficult to say goodbye. To the fans, you are by far the best fans in the league, although you may not show up till late in the first period, you are what makes playing here fun. To the team, what can I say; we have become so close over the years I don’t know what I will do with out a locker room to go to. Hockey is one of those rare sports that allows for such close relationships to be created and maintained day in and day out. I have gained so many friends through hockey; I can not imagine life without it. As the season ends and so does my hockey career, I would like to thank everyone who I have ever played with, you are the reason I play.