Jenna Bids Farewell

I can’t believe it’s that time. I have been thinking about what to write in this salute for almost a year now. Where to begin … 17 years playing a sport and I’m not ready for it to end and only have an option to play in a women’s league. Starting out my college career at the University of Findlay, I had high hopes for the next four years. As freshmen year began my high hopes and expectations of college hockey were crushed. The team and coaching staff wrecked every bit of love that I had for the game. Hockey became no fun and was a chore. I wondered to myself how could something I love so much and I had put so much effort in my whole life make me feel so empty. I have played on many different teams throughout the years and not once had I ever thought about quitting a team, until Findlay. It took a lot out of me but I came to the point that I had to do something. I quit the team at Findlay and contacted Saint Mary’s. Saint Mary’s welcomed me with open arms at semester until three days before making the move to Minnesota I tore my ACL. Debating what to do, Duncan and Ann Marie still told me to come out and be part of the team. It would be wrong for me not to mention them both because it was their effort and support who made me feel part of a team again. This is how I got to Saint Mary’s and now the rest is history. I want to start off my thanking my fellow seniors. Girls, what to say. When I came onto the team half way through the year, I knew you all thought, “Seriously, who does this girl think she is?!” I would have thought the same thing, but you all became my best friends. Mondo – The first teammate that I met. I can still remember the first time we met; you opened the door to Skemp for me and introduced yourself. I just want you to know that you are the most talented player that I have ever played with. I have so much respect for you and your drive and talent. I am glad you are on my team because you would be one heck of player to play against. Moo – The quietest captain I know but when you speak you speak with heart. Moo I have never seen someone in my life work as hard as you do or fight through all the pain you have experience on and off the ice! You are such a strong person and have taught me so much about hard work. Anyone would be crazy not to say that they wish they could work their ass off like you. You lead by example and will be looked up to for the rest of your life. Amy – Belle Tire vs. Little Caesars, state finals. Who would have ever thought we would be playing together. We were once the biggest rivals, now you are one of my best friends. We have had so many great times together and I hope to be going to your wedding sometime soon. Haha, just kidding. Detroit what!!!! Ribish – I can’t believe we never really talked freshmen and sophomore year. You make me laugh like nobody else I know. “Rob & Big”, our awesome dance move that no one in this world will ever be able to do except us, all of our long talks and your words of encouragement have helped me greatly with these past few years. Becky, Rae, Jung, Gage and Beel – You girls have been great. We have all grew closer over the years and have shared many talks. You all are great players, teammates, and friends. Now to the rest of my team: Val – You will be one of my sisters for life. All the talks, road trips and memories we have shared have been awesome. I love playing defense with you. Sophomore year was the best when we were D partners. Our stories and experiences that we have shared together at college have been the best…being caught and kicked out of Benilde, the benefit dances, waking up with Shire and becoming the infamous “Triple H” group. I am not sure if I have ever laughed that hard in my life. There are so many more times that we’ve shared and we have been through so much together. I know you will always be there for me and I thank you for that. You are a great captain, teammate and friend. I will miss playing with you next year. Love you doll! Jen and La – How I wish the two of you were here to play with my in my last games. Instead you both are getting tan in Australia! Jen (Shiiiiiire), when I first met you I didn’t know what to say. You did not look like a typical hockey player. Come to find out you are such a talented player. As we got to know each other you have became one of my best friends. La – the first time I met you, I thought to myself…Outgoing crazy girl. Boy was I right. I could write a whole page on the memories we have but I’ll just leave it with this….You can dance if you want too….. Hadley – Oh Hadley, so prim and proper you are. I hope you loosen up the next couple years and find a lucky bra like mine. Jill – Roddddddy. The fastest skater, and the smallest girl I know that can lay girls out. It’s been great being on a team with the both of you. Stoner – Who would have ever thought that I would become best friends with a freshman. I think we get along so well because of our attitudes and loud mouths! You have been a great friends and teammate to me. Keep working hard and keep your head up because you are a great hockey player and will keep the rest of the girls in line. To the rest of the girls, thank you for pushing and helping me to become a better hockey player. It has been great getting to know all of you on and off the ice. And I hope when you all hear…Da-da, Da-da, Da-da, Da-da, Da you all start shaking your hips and get those hands up over your head and dance. Terry and Coach A – Thank you for all of your hard work and effort you put into our program. It was nice to have coaches who really cared about our team. Not only have you both made me a better hockey player, but I am now a much better runner! Angie – My best friend and roommate. Thank you for always supporting me at my home games. Even though you would rather spend your Friday or Saturday nights somewhere else than a cold hockey rink, you came and cheered me on. That means more to me than I can put into words. Now to my family. Mom, Dad, Emily and Cristina you all are my rock. Where would I be without you all!? My sisters: Emily and Cristina, two of my biggest fans. Cristina you have always tagged along since you were born watching and supporting me go through all of these years. Thank you for that. Emily, my big sister and once teammate. I still remember the night before going down to Detroit to tryout for Little Caesars and waking you up in the middle of the night and telling you that I didn’t know if I could do this. You told me to get out there and knock the hell out of everyone. You have all the confidence in the world in me which I can’t tell you how much that means. I love you both. Thank you for always being there. Mom – Would you ever thought to have a daughter that loved hockey so much? Ballet and gymnastics just wasn’t for me. You let me do what I love and supported me through it all. All the good ol’ days of you freezing outside watching me play, you would never miss a game. It means so much to me when you and dad see me play. You and dad both have given me every opportunity in the world to follow any dreams that I have had. You both helped me make those dreams a reality. Not many moms would let their 17 year old daughter move to Detroit, or Minnesota but you did. I love you so much Mom and I wouldn’t be anything without you and dad. Thank you. Lastly, Dad. I could write 10 pages about you. It was you who introduced me to the sport I love. I can remember the first day you put me on the ice with the boys, dressed in a pink snowsuit and figure skates. Most hockey parents understand what it is like driving their kids to hockey practices, and driving the long distances around the Midwest. Not one parent can compare to you Dad. You have sacrificed every amount of free time for me. There is not one other person that I can say would drive four hours one way for an hour and a half practice. Not only are you my biggest fan, you have taught me more about the game than anyone else in the world. Again without you and Mom, I wouldn’t be here today. Thank you, Dad, for everything. I love you so much. You are best dad and coach any kid could ever ask for.