Jenny Hocum Sr. • Forward She said it	My two years at Saint Mary’s have exceeded my expectations. I never expected to receive so many invaluable gifts or learn so much about the world and myself. My only regret about Saint Mary’s is that I didn’t come earlier! Yet, I truly believe that I was meant to be here for the past two years: no more, no less. After two years of “riding the pine” at Bemidji State University, I felt that I needed to remove the splinters from my breezers (or hockey pants, for you weirdos). My goals were simple: find a school with hockey (obviously) where the coach wouldn’t throw my stick into the stands during practice. I reached my goal, and then some, at SMU, and I am happy to say that Duncan has yet to throw my stick into the stands and I get to PLAY! First of all, I would like to thank my parents for teaching me to always believe in myself and to have passion about whatever I chose to do. I have confidence in myself because you, Mom and Dad, had confidence in me from the start. I’m proud of both of you for making the decisions and sacrifices I know you both made in order for me and Sean to be happy, healthy, and safe as kids, and now, as adults. I speak for both of us, but we do truly appreciate everything you have and will continue to do, with us in mind. Mom, thanks for being my best friend since the beginning. You are the most understanding, intelligent, caring, and self-sacrificing woman I have ever known. I am proud to say that you are my mom, not only because of who you are, but because of who you have helped me to become. You deserve much more than you have and one day, I promise, I’ll build you a “mommy cottage” in my backyard and we’ll take a trip to Hawaii! Always remember the yellow roses … . Dad, thanks for being my coach and mentor, both in life and hockey. Being a Daddy’s girl is a great thing, so thanks for letting me hang on you all the time. I love hearing you say you’re proud of me. Thanks for always understanding and forgiving me when I made mistakes (like the entire last summer). My hockey experience at SMU would not have been the same had it not been for you, especially when I can look up into the stands to see you signaling with “thumbs up” or the popular “go beat her up” signal. I also want to thank my other mom, Jennifer. You know it was difficult for me to accept you as my step-mom, but I feel that we have become friends, that we can trust each other, and love each other as family. I will always remember the first time you said “I love you” to me over the phone. Thanks, Jen and Dad, for all the Sunday night dinners and free laundry services! More importantly, thanks for my little sister! I love Nadia and I can’t wait to watch her grow from a beautiful and rambunctious baby to a well…um…a beautiful and rambunctious little girl! Sean, my little brother, you actually turned out (hahahaha)! I’m very proud of you for overcoming adversity and the odds, succeeding in both high school and college. I’m happy that we can hang out and talk about everything as easily as we can. Having a close relationship with you is very important to me. Remember that you are my only brother, we grew up together, and the memories I will always cherish. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you! And to Nadia, thanks for coming to my games (like you had a choice, but I know you loved it)! I know I’m not the only one on my team that enjoys seeing you bouncing in the stands! I’m so proud of you for learning how to say “ice hockey!” You are a bright light in my darkest days. To my late uncle, Bobby DeZonia, I miss you so much! Thank you for the memories and the hilarity that abounded during the years you lived with us in Rochester. I know that you are safe in heaven. Have you seen my tattoo? I’m sure you have great seats for all the Packers/Vikes games now! Say “hi” to Tigs for me! Love you both! Tennie (i.e. “roommate,” best friend, trailer goddess, NZ gym teacher), you and the trailer taught me many things about life, including how to do dishes, why you should never have a live-in COA, and how important it is to look out for free grills. Who can forget the good ole days together in high school? And, can you believe we ended up at the same college? Or that we lived in a trailer? Together?! It’s like we always imagined!! I’m so happy that we have been best friends for this long. I can’t wait until we’re both 80 years old and we realize that we have complained about the same things since we were 20 (like money, stupid boys, and sore knees). Thank you for always being there when I would get my heart broken or when I would have one of my many nervous breakdowns. I only wish we could live closer (New Zealand is pretty far away to be neighbors!). Coach Duncan Ryhorchuk, Thanks for letting me play hockey at SMU and for putting up with my excessive talking and emails as captain (like you had much of a choice). Thanks for doing what I said, um, I mean, doing what you wanted based on my suggestions. ;) Also, thanks for having confidence in me and my abilities, both on and off the ice. I’ve learned a lot from you, like to not pick “a” if I know the answer is “c”, to shoot for the Jack and, most importantly — if you are going to cheat, cheat to the best of my ability. Coach Haupert, thanks for the encouragement during games and practices this year! It really does help and it means a lot! Also, thanks for being there when I needed to bounce ideas off you or get a different perspective on things. Thanks to Coach Don Olson, Coach Terry Mannor and Coach Donny Nadeau . You three are the best! Coach Olson, thanks for being someone I can talk and joke with … oh, and for employing me for the last couple of years, too! Coach Mannor, your sense of humor is golden and watch out for that sour milk in the caf! Coach Nadeau, thanks for all the press! The hard work you put into our website and write-ups does not go unnoticed or unappreciated! Without you, I would have no idea how bad my stats are compared with last year! Looking forward to working with you all again at camp this summer! A special thanks to my psychology professors: Dr Frost, Dr. Luttmers, Dr. Bucknam, Dr. Mutter and Dr. Church. I have learned so much; not only from the classes I took, but also from the advice, one-on-one help, and unsurpassed understanding I received from each and every one of you. I plan to keep in touch in grad school and beyond, as I’m sure I’ll need loans (Dr. Frost), extensions (Dr. Mutter), and a perfectionist’s eye (Dr. Luttmers). And finally, I want to thank all the hockey girls from the past two seasons at SMU. You all have a special place in my memory and heart. Some of you I know better than others, yet for some, I know much more than I want! To the girls from the 2003-04 season: thanks for breaking me in and teaching me so much about what a team is and what it feels like to belong. I wish I could have one more season with that team. Here’s to the memories: 3 a.m. Dam busts, bluff runs (ski hill sprints anyone?), bowling attendant date, partying at the new, “we’re all gonna die!” (Jenna, while our bus fell off an icy cliff), Buffalo trip (enough said), catch phrase, packouts, speaking entirely in movie quotes, the Fab 4, end of the year trailer park BBQ and costume extravaganza…and the list goes on. To the ladies of the current season: thank you all for giving me the chance to lead you and advocate for you. I loved being captain, even during difficult times. I hope everyone will one day realize how and why I made some decisions, and also how difficult it sometimes is to be in my position. Leadership and learning are clearly indispensable to each other. Thanks for all the laughs, new dance moves, interesting back bus conversations, and friendships! Who could forget: forest lake (who knew they would play the Canadian national anthem?), hotel babysitting, the infamous 48 hour rule, skating with Three Days Grace, and the day we FINALLY came together as a team, worked our butts off, and came from behind to beat St. Olaf! I didn’t think I could learn much from you “youngsters,” but I did! Shire and Rae, My true, blue linemates and the only people who could truly understand why I had to ask about a drill, even when I knew the answer; why taking criticism personally would be ridiculous; and who both remain the only teammates I’ve ever had, excluding myself, that are willing to risk personal injury for a piece of solid rubber. Shire, I hope you are playing by the time this is printed. We need you! The cubby next to mine is awfully empty lately! Rae, thanks for being supportive and understanding as a friend and teammate, as well as being a likeminded hockey player. Graf, You have so much heart and are continually cracking me up! Mondo, Good luck with those “changes!” It was a pleasure to work with you as captain, as well as be your friend (i.e. knitting). Becky, your “Wisconsin” dialect scares me, because I now have proof that aliens are among us! Keep the team going next year and try not to physically rip anyone’s heads off, including your own teammates (i.e. Mondo’s). Moo, Stay cool and stay in school! Remember that I’m always here for you! One last burlesque show before I go? A’ja, my lone senior companion, “spanks” for being a friend and for always being there to talk or complain to, or laugh with/at (haha). The time I spent with you on the three-whistle drill will remain in my heart and memory forever! Do you think anyone else does what we do? And to everyone else on the team: Sorry, I didn’t have enough space in my brain or on this paper to recall all the wonderful memories! But, as a consolation prize, I’ll be in the stands as much as I can next season, cheering you all on! I have to ultimately thank God for the people and experiences I’ve mentioned above, as well as the opportunities to learn, play hockey, and discover myself. With faith, I’m able to say “good-bye” to this chapter in my life without experiencing a severe nervous breakdown! Leaving the “nest”, but a Cardinal forever! “... It's a dangerous business going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to … .”