The 2022 Rams Reflect is the seventh in a series of annual collections. Senior captains and representatives of Suffolk teams have been invited to contribute viewpoints based on personal experience from both their senior seasons and full varsity careers at Suffolk.
For a complete listing of past and present Rams’ Reflections, click here.
Payton Dockus, Women's Hockey | Hometown: St. Clair Shores, Mich. | Major: Biology
To my Team,
To say that I am going to miss you all is a vast understatement. Taking a chance on a brand-new team and program with a bunch of girls I never met before was intimidating to say the least. Little did I know that making the jump to commit here was the best one that I have made to date. Coming in not knowing virtually anyone was a culture shock, and you “strangers” quickly became my family.
From the first meeting we had as a team in the locker room at Porazzo with stalls still in the middle of our locker room as it was not completely finished, I knew that this team was going to be one of the best I have been a part of. The past four years have allowed for growth both on and off the ice, some lessons were harder than others, but there is nobody else I would rather have by my side than this group of girls. The culture of Suffolk women’s hockey that my class was a part of creating is one of acceptance and support that I have never experienced on a team before. You all helped me out of one of the hardest times in my life and to that I will be eternally thankful for.
The most important piece of advice that I got my freshman year was to enjoy every moment on the ice and being a part of the team because four years goes by a lot quicker than what you’re ready for. I was in no way prepared with how quickly that would really be. To the Rams that get to put that jersey on again next year, cherish it. Take in all of the pregame skates because before you know it, you’re on the ice with your team for the last time wishing there could be one more 7 a.m. skate you could wake up for, one last pregame shootout you can participate in. Learn to love the drills you hate because before you know it, you’re going to be wishing you could do those drills again (yes, even the backchecking drill).
I know it feels like there are big shoes to fill with our class leaving, but I have never been more confident in a group of people to pass the torch to. I am so beyond proud and honored to have had the opportunity to play with every single one of you and am so excited to see what you all accomplish in the following years and will be rooting for you every step of the way.
To my coaches, thank you. Thank you for creating a competitive and fun atmosphere for me to come to every day. Thank you for making me a better player and leader every year I have been at Suffolk. Thank you, Taylor, for teaching me that hard work and positivity is the best way to lead a team. Thank you, Bridget, for teaching me that the biggest part of enjoying the game is making it fun for me and those around me.
To close this letter to my team I feel it’s only right to leave you with some advice:
- The time you spend with your teammates is never a waste because 75 percent of the year those are the people you spend the most time with
- Any chance you have to bond as a team, take it
- Championships are not only made through hard work, but they are also made through the bonds with your team
- Playing for the person next to you is more important than playing for yourself
There is no easy way to say goodbye to the people I have called family the last four years, so I’ll leave you with a “see you later”.
Signing out,
Payton Dockus #22