(From the Stanstead College yearbook)
Thank you, girls, for trusting us and for giving everything you had... most of the time! ;) In all seriousness, I am amazed with how much all of you progressed this year. You became physically and mentally fit - how about those stairs and those timed skating drills or those runs after or before games? Most importantly, you learned how to quiet that "little voice" telling you you're done and that "limits - in the words of Michael Jordan - are often illusions." You are now mentally strong; let's be honest, you survived my tough medicine. Your growth and our coming together as a team was slow moving, but when it peaked, it peaked at the appropriate time. For the last 21 games of our season, we won 15 games, lost 3 and tied 3. We mode it to the final game of our league championship. Unfortunately, we didn't win, but in my book, I truly believe that all of you are winners. You are winners because you survived the year. You ore winners because you grew as people and you pushed your limits. You are winners because in face of adversity you rose up to many challenges in front of you. During one of the last weeks of the season, I asked you to run a 3K under 14 minutes, 25 minutes before a game. You did it, without complaining, and you proceeded to win a big game, managing to look fresh throughout the game! You will never cease to surprise me, positively or negatively (you know what I mean), but we are family and I would not change you... okay maybe a few things: Jordy, stop thinking hockey is like a book of physics. Meg, turn into a Type A. Maude, get a cellphone so you can use it to text Tulio instead of using your tablet. Judith, stop smiling when we get mad at you. Karina, Don, turn your volume down. Gen, stop being so smart all the time. Sarah-Maude, run faster. Sam, RELAX. And, Biss, please don't wait for playoffs next year to score your first two goals... in the some game, within three minutes apart! I am really proud of all of you, and for as long as I will be the head coach of the girls hockey team, this team will be remembered as the pioneers and the survivors!