Laura Bids Farewell

While sitting at my desk, trying to come up with something to say that would accurately capture just how much this sport, this team, and this program has meant to me, the song “Closing Time” by Semisonic came on. How perfect. The lyric, “every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end,” fits this to a T. As our time here at Saint Mary’s comes to an end, we are all starting something new, undiscovered, unusual and all be it a little scary. But looking back at four years ago, when I decided, or was told, that I was going to come to Saint Mary’s, I felt just as I do now. Scared of something new and going into uncharted waters with no idea what to expect. But I had no idea just how amazing my time here as a Cardinal would be … . First, my family deserves so much of the credit for both the person and the player I have become. Mom, if it weren’t for you and your endless dedication to this sport, I would not have the chance to be doing this. With the endless miles you’ve driven, and the unimaginable sacrifices you have made over the years, “thank you” doesn’t seem to scratch the surface of how much it has all meant to me. Pauly, you’ve always had a willingness to beat me up, but at least now we can say all those scraped knees, clotheslines at weddings, and broken glasses weren’t for nothing, right? Don’t you wish you had the excuse “I’m just toughening her up” way back when? Aunt Jimmy, Uncle John and David, Grandma and Grandpa (and penny) — all of your support over the years has been amazing. You all have kept me strong through everything, and very well fed after games! Finally, Dad. Whether it was plyo boxes for the stars, the shooting range in the back yard, equipment drying contraptions, or the little yellow ball on the top of my water bottle, you were always willing to do anything that made me or the team better. Both you and Mom’s willingness to spend so much time at the rink enabled me to do so, and to make the most out of every opportunity that came across my path. I wish you could have been here for this, but I just hope I’ve made you proud. All of the other Hockey families, thank you all for the great encouragement after games. This last year, has been so fun with all of you every weekend. The two people who have given me the opportunity to wear this Cardinal jersey, Coach and Coach A. Thank you both for the chances you have given me, and for having the confidence in me even if I didn’t. Coach A, if it weren’t for the little psychology sessions we’ve had, mostly while I am supposed to be working, it would have been so much more difficult to have had the growth I have had over the last three years. That Finlandia move never would have happened if it weren’t for our talks. Coach Terry, you’ve had to put up with a lot from me these last two years. Thank you for making hockey fun again, for always wanting the best from us, reminding us that “it’s a great day for hockey,” and for all those other little reminders I needed every once in a while. Just promise you won’t start a nutrition program in the years to come, okay? Hot dogs and a Dew aren’t the answer. To the rest of the athletic department. Toni Winter, thank you for putting up with me. Donny, all those cross campus trips have made me appreciate those GameDays so much more. Coach F, thanks for everything you do for SMU hockey. Biebel, everyone took a vote, and you’re the #2 hockey expert on campus. Ambjor, even thought I avoided you like the plague most days, thanks for understanding the stubbornness. And thank everyone else for the “good luck” wishes come game day. My amazing teammates over the years, I don’t even know what to say, all of you have meant so much to me. I will forever carry the experiences we’ve had with me. Phaneufs - ohh, good times. I don’t even know where to start with you two without quoting all of Ellen. Nik, thank you for always being there. I have no clue what I am going to do without a 3 inch piece of tape on my glove every weekend, someone to do wizard of oz lunges with, or wearing obnoxious sox. Don‘t forget that I get royalties on that best seller. Mondo, thank you for putting up with my incoherent yelling on the ice for the last few years. Through all the oil changing and doubting jokes, I have learned a lot from you this year. Amy, my shy partner in crime. Friday and Saturday nights will not be the same without, “Okay guys, we know what to do.” Beck Beck, whenever I think of mission impossible or spandex, I will think of you. Ribish, thanks for being here making sure I don’t have the smallest feet on the team! Beel, how is it that I always seem to find your head when shooting? Sorry about that! Jenna, who can ever forget our 5 hour bus trip from St Thomas, and the infamous “we’re all gonna die!” Gage, remember all that fun from Gilmore? I have a drawer full of cow sox that will keep me reminded of you. Rae, tracksuit night will always make me laugh. Thank you for all your support, both on and off the ice. Val, thank you for always being there, pushing me to be better and work harder. Jessie, you’re the best backup singer I could have ever asked for! Jillian, I never thought I’d be so proud to be a teammate with a former Blade. Ang, from fighting squirrel to Cardinal, it has been so great having you as a teammate, even when I wasn’t on the near side. Care Bears and string beans kiddo. The 7 a.m. Club, keep up the hard work. Senor Feo likes that you three are so dedicated to wake up before the sun and deal with me jumping out from behind doors at you, but we both agree that you are all champs. All of my past teammates, it was quite the ride, wasn’t it? Sarah, thank you for always lending an ear from so far away, still staying attached to this game. That SMU vs. UWEC game would have been very interesting, ey? And the Saunders for still making it out to see games. Code-Red1694, who thought 4/5ths of that chaos would end up at the same school. After the 4-8 years spent at the rink with you, the last two have been a lot less animated. Jenny, thanks for everything in sophomore year. Those burlesque shows could have been a great fundraiser, ey? Chowner, miss you sitting right behind me on the bus. Tennie, somewhere between all the fat and “you suck” jokes, you actually made an impact on my career here as a Cardinal. Thank you for making me feel so welcome my freshman year, and for helping me find what “cardinal pride” meant. Even though I won that game of P-I-G, you’re the best! This has all been an experience that was more than I could ever have asked for. I never thought that I would be able to play this far, but I guess it is right when someone said, “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it.”