Jenny Hocum Sr. • Forward She said it	I’ve always thought that writing my senior solute would be easy and come so naturally as I would fill it with all of the great memories that I had while playing hockey at good old SMU, but this was not the case. When racking my brain to try and figure out what I wanted to include in my senior solute, I realized that I can’t solely write about the fun memories, because that’s not what my experience was only about. Sure, hockey’s the greatest sport I’ve ever played and I’ve had some really good times while playing for Saint Mary’s, but my experience wasn’t just about the fun and games, it was about real experiences that taught me a lot about myself and also taught me many valuable life-lessons. My career here at SMU has been a bunch of ups and downs — from beating Gustavus my freshman year to become MIAC playoff champions and making it to the first round of the NCAA National Tournament, to quitting sophomore year, coming back again and getting to travel to Buffalo and Niagara Falls my junior year, to all of the fun I’ve had so far my senior year with this great group of girls! No matter what the experience, good or bad, I’ve definitely learned a lot more then just how to play hockey. I’ve met most of my best friends at SMU through hockey. Ann, Jaimie, Graf, and Katie Mac, I don’t know what I would have done without you! You’ve been there to support me in all aspects of my life over the years here at SMU and I just want to say a big THANK YOU and I love you girls! Ann, I miss you so much and wish you were still here at SMU! Not only are you a best friend, but you’re also like an older sister to me. You are such a fun, energetic person, it’s no wonder that Don used to call us “Bubbly & Bubbler!” We’ve been through so much together and you know better than I know myself sometimes! You’ve been there to wipe my tears, and make me laugh, you always know what to do to pick me up and I couldn’t ask for a better friend. You have the biggest heart in the world and I have hockey to thank for you being a big part of my life. I really miss your team spirit and your leadership on and off the ice, you truly were a person to look up to, you always put 110% into it when you were out on the ice. I don’t know what I would have done without you Ann, you took me in like a little sister and you showed me the ropes. It’s been so nice to see you in the crowd supporting me and the team even after graduating. I just want to wrap up my thanks with a few key words and phrases that will hopefully bring a smile to your face: “Our Lakes,” Party Like Rockstars, “Once in my Life I have the chance to find the key to my dreams,” Cheerios (Sheerios), Dairy Queen … I think you get the hint. Thanks for all the Penguin stuff, and thanks for everything Ann … Ride’m Cowgirl!! Jaimie, roomie, buddy old pal. It’s a good thing that we were both in hockey, otherwise I would probably still think that you hated me from Oral Communications class; stop glaring at me snot!! J/K!! Talk about memories, you’ve been a great roomie over the last three years and my most memorable SMU hockey moment of course involves skating with you and the Great Miss Emily Kearns in the National Tournament, what a great experience, and a pretty darn sweet first line! We have so much in common and have been through so much together, I was lucky to have you there by my side through the rough times, thanks. You’ve taught me to stick up for myself, and not to let people push me around — you’re sooo intimidating;) With so many memories, I’ll try to shorten things up a bit, but I hope that you remember all the good times and I hope they make you laugh: Pre-game meal consisting of seven Krispy Kreme donuts the night of a game, four more for pre-game breakfast. “I want to be the salami during warm-ups,” “We beat St. Olaf, we beat St. Olaf,” “dang-it Rink, pass us the puck,” “WE’RE GOING TO NATIONALS!” Pina Colada night because we don’t care! Jaimie, when it comes down to a broken hotel bed, (thanks Beth) and a roll of Bauer hockey tape, you’re the one for the job Ms. Fixer-Upper. Jaimie, with you, I can let my hair down, I can say anything crazy and know you’ll catch me right before I hit the ground. It was a great 1+ years play’n with ya and you bring out the ghettos-side in me, I love you chica, CHULA’S FOREVER! Graffie, you are one of a kind, that’s for sure! We are the only ones who understand each other on the team because we are so weird. I’m so glad that we became such close friends, you are so unique and have helped me become more open-minded about a lot of things, perhaps it was our long conversation about religion, politics, philosophy … I love your point of view on things! You’re a strong player and a strong person and I love all the pep talks and encouragement you always give me. Graf, you make the sweetest passes and create the sweetest plays, you’re an awesome player. I’m so glad that we’ve been there for each other, especially the last two years, I sure missed you while you were in London last semester, it was so quiet without you — too quiet, I missed your hockey-turrets. Wrapp’n things up I’m just gonna leave ya with some thoughts to hopefully put a twinkle in your eyes: Cruise’n in Old Blue … Buffalo trip – Hard Rock Café … South St. Paul trip – thanks again Gary and Cathy for the place to stay … all our crushes and all the cute boys … all the cute little babies … always frenchbraiding my hair before games … our long conversations … ham sandwiches … Autum to Ashes … Garden State … work’n at the pool … and Shut The Front Door!! Here’s to all our good times and all the more to come. You’re such a real person Ashley. Thank you for being straight forward with everything and thank you for all the support, tips, and pep talks about hockey and about life that you’ve given me over the years. You’re a smart girl and you know the sport, and you’ve always been there to give me a confidence boost. Good luck next year no matter what you decide, I got your back. Yo’ure a great friend and I don’t know what I would have done without you …”you’re crazy man, I love you, but you’re crazy!” Katie Mac, hi hi hi! Even though we only played together for one year, it was still a great experience and I’m glad our friendship goes beyond hockey! On and off the ice we’ve been there for each other, I can come to you with anything and you’ll always make me laugh! Once again, I have hockey to thank for meeting such a great friend and a fun individual. It’s always a fun time when we get together and I just want to say thank you for all the support on and off the ice! You’ve always been there to help me when I was frustrated with hockey, and you’ve always had great advice in other departments too; you’re the best! Thanks for all the great talks, great drinks, and the great friendship. I wish you a great senior year next year and all the frosting and the bottom crust that the café has to offer! My favorite quote to you: “If you had one shot or one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted in one moment: Would you capture it or just let it slip?” To all my Fairmontite fans and friends who made the trek to my games, I just want to say you guys are the best! I miss you all so much! Les, Bird, Gretch, you’ve been there a number of times to support me as a SMU Cardinal throughout the years, thanks for show’n you care! Teresa and Aaron, you guys are the best, you made the trek all the way from Sioux Falls in a snow storm, now that’s dedication, thank you so much. Tara, you are sweet and defiinitely the best cheerer in the crowd! Adam, thanks for all the visits to Winona and the games … I miss ya, sailor! Josh, the support and faith in me as a hockey player has been incredible, perhaps too much, but thanks anyway bud. Kirsten, a girl I truly look up to as a hockey player, thanks for all the pep talks and the support, even though we were rivals in college, it was still nice to be out there on the ice with you again. Heather, Gwen, and Sarah, I always looked forward to playing your guys’ teams just to be out there with you and see you after the games. The Olson, Wilson, and Kot families, thanks for coming to the GAC and St. Ben’s games, it was always great to see you in the crowd! To my current team — you girls may be very young, but you are very talented and have the potential to go far these next couple of years. You definitely have been the most fun team that I’ve been a part of here at SMU; I wish I could stay with you guys longer … man if only I wasn’t so old! You better believe that I’ll be cheer’n ya on next year to as many games that I can!! Thanks for making my senior year the craziest, most fun year here at SMU — you guys are the best! Jenny Five-Hole Hocum — it’s the Jen and Aj’a Show!!!! (jazz hands/spirit fingers) My fellow senior – man, I can’t believe that we’re the old ones now! Ha, but that’s OK! It was really nice finding out last year that you were coming to play at SMU ‘cause we grew up play’n with each other in C.O.D.P. and against each other in high school, so I knew that you’d be a valuable addition to our team. On a lighter note, I’m also glad that I’m not the only one who acts like a hampster…don’t handle us before games, we’re nervous! Mondo — you’re a very strong player with great leadership qualities – keep this team motivated, keep’m go’n, you have the ability to take this young team far in the next couple of years. Ribish — Cocktail-Wheenie, Ribbit, Pablo, all the many names to describe the very artistic, speedy, hockey player. You know, Graffi still owes us a ride in Old Blue and listen’n to Autumn to Ashes! Keep making the world beautiful with your amazing artwork! Amy — My Valentine and the absolute sweetest girl on the team! You are a very smart, heads up hockey player. Out of all the new players, You and LaLa have been the two that I’ve become closest with. I’ve had a blast this year with you! Keith Urban concert in Lacrosse, Halloween Party at NV228, B**r Olympics at NV228, the Soccer house, trips to Wal-Mart and come’n back empty handed, trips to Wal-Mart to Karaoke, Jam’n out at Church, late night Erbs and Gurbs, your Birthday week… thanks for all of the great memories and for the ones still to come – bring’m on!! Laura (LaLa) — I call you Crazy Laura, you call me Craj’a, it’s a given. You are the funnest, craziest girl on the team! Jingle-bells, jing-a-ling-a-ling bells jinga-a-lingal all the way, chick-chick-ee-boom – chick-chick-ee-boom! Lala, you seriously crack me up! You have improved so much this season, keep up the great work, you’re one D that I wouln’t want to mess with…but then again I always seem to be the one injuring you…sorry babe. We are the best song-writers in the world!! (Duncan-Fighting). I wish you the best of luck in the years to follow, you better believe it that I’ll be there to cheer you on!! One final note..sugar on my tongue-tongue, yippy-yippy yum-yum, goodie-goodie gum drop… Keep dance’n away - URsher and Michael Jackson will be yesterday’s news once they see Lala’s moves! Breath, stretch, shake, get a goal! Chown – Human Bio rocked! Dineen – All I have to do is say your last name and that speaks more than 1,000 words…Dineen. Nicki, Gage, Jessie – Keep up the hard work, goalies. Berg – I smell mint! Moo — Thank you for making me realize that its okay for senior solutes to be cheesy. I’ve enjoyed being your linemate for the good majority of my senior year, you’re a great player with tons of speed and tons of love for the game. Keep skate’n circles around everyone the next two years! Jenna – “I’m not gonna lie,” you’re a great defenseman and a fun teammate. Thanks for introducing me to Ryan Cabrera and Tyler Hilton before anyone else knew who they were. Your CDs are the bomb and you sure know how to cheer me up! I hope you saved that message on your phone, I might need to listen to it. Thanks babe for everything…keep up the great work on the ice, you rock! Babs – Babaliscious, you got skills, hockey skills, lock pick’n skills, free-style rapp’n skills … and you know all the lyrics to every song ever written (excluding country). You are a hilarious girl…keep work’n hard babe and have some confidence out there. Best of luck in the future, and believe in yourself. You’re a good player who can put the puck in the net. Oh, and you definitly need to try out for American-Idol! Cali girls – “California, here we come!” Christina, I miss ya babe! You’re still a part of the team as far as I’m concerned! You are a great goalie, don’t forget that! Jen, you’re the best “Awesome Aussie” teammate, we will dominate the Olympics again!! Zoome-Zoome to ya both! Val – dance’n, sing’n, little pimp! You’re a sweetheart and you’re a speedy little guy, keep skate’n hard! Z – Hola Chica … man your Spanish sure comes in handy! Thanks babe for everything! You are tons of fun and I love how we can relate to each other…we sure have had some quality conversations on our bike rides around the lakes! You are an awesome player with great potential, keep up the hard work! G – you are one tough chica! Thanks for be’n my off-ice train’n partner in the beginning of the year before I got all gimpy on ya. You’ve got a great slapper, keep shoot’n babe! Rae – MMmm, Mustard! You’re a sweet player, I love your passes! Keep on rock’n chica, and I’ll be look’n forward to cheer’n ya on next year! P.S. anytime you need an ear, I’ll lend ya one! Becky – “Welcome to the Blue-line!”The interviews were great, sorry I switched numbers on ya. The Red Team Will Win! You still remind me of the female equivalent to Pat Chambers … enough said. Keep laugh’n babe! Maddy – The girl who knows everyone at every rink that we’ve traveled to this year, even though you’re from Jersey. (Jersey’s Here!) Continue to go to the net hard!! You crack me up chica, and I’m glad that you made the trek across the country to come to SMU this year. Kendall, Beth, Naho, and Tennie — You guys were the best hostesses that a recruit could ask for! I never expected to have had such a good time, but you guys were great and we definitely tackled the finest that Winona had to offer in one night of fun! You guys definitely sold SMU to me; it was a night that lives on to be retold time and time again!! Spanks a bunch! Emily Kearns — It was sweet to be on a team with you and to play with such a talented hockey player. Not only could I look up to you for your skills on the ice, but I could always count on a good laugh from you…you are hilarious! Beth Z — Hey buddy, I sure have missed you this year! You were one of the few who truly understood me! I miss your crazy, artistic style, and just plain hang’n out! I never would have guessed that the person who was showing me around SMU and Winona when I was a recruit, would be the same person I would be skating flowers to three years later on senior night, I was honored to be chosen to give them to you because you have been such a good friend over the years. Alissa — If you looked up the word hustle in the dictionary you would find your name as the definition. You always played with your whole heart and you inspired me to want to do the same. Also, thanks a bunch for be’n the team mom and holding my hand on the airplane rides! I love landing!! Diane –You were a super cool teammate and whenever I hear Bon Jovi I think of you! Kate Williams, Jamie Staples, and Jaimie Mussehl, the girls that came in as freshman with me — You three were very talented players who brought much talent to the SMU Women’s program, and I was lucky to be out there on the ice with you guys. Kate and Jamie S., you two were awesome defensemen, and Jaimie, you were a very poised, heads up, downright smart hockey player…it was fun. To the coaching staff over the years, Mark, Anna-Marie, Aaron, Nat, and Duncan – Thanks for letting me be a part of the SMU team over the years. Aaron, I value the advice that you give each individual player on the team, it really helps us out and helps us become better hockey players. Thank you for being so positive and supporting on the bench during games. Duncan – It’s been an interesting four years that’s for sure, but thanks for everything — thanks for pushing me when I needed it. This song is dedicated to you from me and Laura: “Duncan fighting (to the tune of Kung-Foo Fighting) – Everybody was a-Duncan fighting, eh-yaw, those pucks were fast as lightening, his slapshot was a little frightening, he got two minutes for fighting! Kozar and I still think that you should rename the chuck-a-puck contest to “The Duncan Ryhorchuk-a-puck contest!” I hope I made coaching a little interesting and a little fun, too. Canadiens aren’t so bad after all! Dennis & Sammy – Thanks for the signs, they were great. Maybe you guys should pursue careers in designing. Dennis – As my mom would say “you’re my special friend,” even though you don’t know what number I am. Dennis, you have taught me so much, you taught me just what it meant to be clutch, you taught me what a healthy scratch is, and you’ve always told me to go to the net hard. Thanks for keeping me up late all those night shoot’n hoops in the RAC, thanks for listening to me complain about everything, thanks for working our games, thanks for yelling at me when I got lazy, and thanks for always expecting the best out of me…but you still owe me a ride on the Zamboni! Kozar, T.J, Ennessy, Boland, and Reddish – thanks for come’n to the games and thanks for letting your home be our teams home away from home. Kozar – you’re a superfan! Thanks for come’n to almost all of the home games, even when transportation was scarce, ha! Thank you for always lending an ear, I appreciate it! Maybe some day they will rename the chuck-a-puck game! You better believe that I’ll be there for your games next fall cheer’n ya on! My Swim Team Friends – thanks for cheering super loud at the games … it was great! Kristi – Even though you always come between “quarters,” you have been a great fan! You go beyond just roomie status in my book and I’ve greatly appreciated your friendship and support this year. You’ve been there to lend an ear after crappy practices and you’ve been there to cheer me on…”thanks man.” When this is over, maybe I can tryout for yours and Jaimie’s team? Amanda – It’s hard to go to games when you’re half way across the world from Winona, but thanks for coming once you returned from your journey, I appreciate it! To all my past and present teammates, thanks for all the memorable experiences! Thanks to everyone that’s supported me and the SMU women’s hockey program including the SMU Professors and faculty and staff members (especially Don my favorite campus safety driver ever). Thanks to all of the team parents and family members, sorry I can’t name you all, as I’ve written a rather long senior solute already, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t appreciate everything! Last but not least, I want to thank my family for everything…you are all incredible people! To my G’ma and G’pa Zeitz, my G’ma and G’pa Walters, my Uncle Todd and Aunt Patty, and to my little brother Bologna-man – You guys have come to a number of my games and I wanted to say thanks for making the trips and thanks for the support over the years. It meant a lot to me to see your faces in the crowd and I hope that I was able to make you proud when I was out on the ice, I love you guys! Most of all thank you mom and dad for letting me play hockey in the first place even though you thought that hockey was too dangerous for me too play because it was just like football on iceJ Thanks for all of the sacrifices that you have made so I could play hockey over the years. You two are incredible and have conquered many of life’s obstacles which has inspired me to keep going when things get hard. Thank you for listening when times got tough and thank you for supporting me with encouragement. I know it’s been an interesting four years, but I hope that I was able to make you guys proud every time that you came to my games and even when you couldn’t I knew you were still cheering me on! I love you so much, thanks! Cardinal Pride!