Nikki Bids Farewell

The great Brett Hull once said, “I’m not dumb enough to be a goalie,” and I’m not gonna lie to ya — there are some days I wish I was a little smarter. For most, being a goalie is not an enviable position. For me, however, it’s been a way of life for the last 10 years. Playing goalie was never something I set out to do. I was thrown into the net at the beginning of 7th grade because no one else wanted to play the position. After some initial kicking and screaming about the switch, I fell in love with goaltending and the responsibility and pressure that comes along with it. When I started playing I never dreamed that I’d have the chance to play at the collegiate level. These past four years have been an amazing experience, and I am truly blessed to have had the opportunity to play hockey here at Saint Mary’s. That being said, I have some people to thank who’ve sat through a countless number of games throughout the years, both good and bad. Mom and Dad, you have been my biggest supporters over the last 10 years. I know it’s not easy being the parents of the goalie, but I want to thank you for everything that you’ve done for me and the sacrifices that you’ve made so that I can play a game that I love. Mom, you’ve always been there to pick me up after a tough game and make sure dad doesn’t yell at me too much :) I think you go through the same range of emotions that I do throughout the game, so it’s a wonder that you haven’t had a heart attack yet. Dad, thanks for always being my biggest fan. You always believed in me, even when I didn’t, and that means more to me than you can know. Your well intentioned “input” after games was always appreciated … it’s a wonder that your fountain of knowledge hasn’t run dry yet :) Love you both. I can’t forget about the little sis. Kristen, I know I give you a lot of crap … but I mean well. Thanks for “watching” a lot of my games over the years. I’m glad you’re going to carry on the goalie tradition in the family and make dad spend some more money. I’m sure I’ll be there to see you play, and I’ll do my best to keep dad off your back. Oh, and 00 is not a real number. My teammates here have been an eclectic bunch to say the least, but they are some of the best people that I have ever met. First I have to thank my fellow goalies. Gage, Thing 2, competing with each other everyday for the last four years could have made us enemies; I’m so glad it didn’t. Thank you for always being there to support me. Jessie, you are a different duck. I mean that in the best possible way :) Thanks for keeping me sane and singing backup with me. I’m going to miss our daily half-hour talks on the ice before practice (Pinky and the Brain) and the totally random conversations we have on the bus. Good luck next year. My fellow seniors, Rae, Ribish, Jenna, Amy, Jecky, Moo, Mondo, Beel, and Gage. Thanks for the last fours years, it’s been a wild ride. Mondo, it’s been interesting how we’ve gotten closer over the last two years. You’ve become a great friend. There are just too many inside jokes to list, but I’ll cherish them. Good times. Moo, there’s no way I would have gotten through the last four years without you. I think I would have imploded without your patience and understanding. Thanks for always pushing me to be a better hockey player and a better person. You surprise me in so many ways. You’re an amazingly talented hockey player, but more importantly, you’re an amazing friend. I can’t even begin to thank you for all that you’ve done, and I hope I have given you even a little of what you’ve given me. There’s so much to remember … naming the posts, giving you quotes before the games, our “rituals” no one else really understands, and so much more. Phaneuf … Ellen … enough said. To my other teammates … Jessie, Hadley, Wiesner, Hokeness, Kryzer, La, Rhody, Michelle, Shire, Sara, Nicole, Stoner, Val, Lexi, Chowner, Smalls, and all the crazy parents that are constantly making us laugh. Thanks so much for the time that we’ve had together. Keep working hard and continue the great SMU women’s hockey tradition. You’re all so talented, and I can’t wait to see what you can do over the years to come. Wiesner, you better find someone good to stretch next to you next year. Kryzer, Simley pride. Keep those breezers up high. Sara, you’re a stud. Keep up the good work. Nicole, sorry about the tape job. Stoner, you’re smothering me. Val, you better find someone good to sit behind you on the bus next year. I’m going to miss your contagious laugh and taping your stick before the games. We’ll have to see how we end the season, but you may have to keep the shorts. My roommate, Amanda … you’ve had the unenviable job of putting up with me over the last four years. I know I drive you crazy most of the time, but your patience has been greatly appreciated. Without your persistence I wouldn’t be in the position I am. I know you don’t think you have much of an effect on me, but I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done. I’m in awe of everything you’ve accomplished, and I look up to you in so many ways…minus those times when common sense seems to elude you. Thanks for always being there. Love ya. The coaches, Terry and Aaron. Thanks for pushing me so hard over the last two years. I’ve hated it at times but appreciated it just the same. I wish you both nothing but the best. Ambjor, thanks for keeping me in one piece. How many pairs of pants do you have on? Donny and Coach F, you both do so much more than anyone knows or appreciates. Your dedication to SMU athletics is amazing. Thanks so much for everything. Coach Fennern, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you. I know we joke about your very persistent recruiting technique, but I really can’t thank you enough. There’s nowhere else I would have rather spent these last four years. Wow, this is long. I’m sorry for that, but it just means that I have so many great people in my life. Anyone I forgot, I’m sorry. I think singer David Ford summed it up pretty well in his “Song For The Road.” “I know someday this all will be over. And it's hard to say what most will I miss. Just give me one way to spend my last moments alive. And I choose this, I choose this, I choose this.”