Andrew Lindgren
Senior Goalie
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Last Team: Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL)
Major: Global Business Leadership
Our lives as seniors have changed a lot since the start of this pandemic. The second half of our last semester consisted of online classes, which was a lot different from what we were used to. In the end, we adapted and made the most out of our last semester together as seniors.
My four years at Saint John’s have been incredible and I am so happy I made the decision to come here. Over my four years, I have made friends that I am certain I will keep in contact with long after my college career has ended. Saint John’s has taught me many life lessons that I would not trade for anything. I think I have grown as a person since I first enrolled as a freshman, and I have the people I met at SJU to thank for that.
My hockey experience at Saint John’s has been great as well. The memories that we as teammates have made together will last a lifetime. I want to thank all the guys who made my hockey experience at Saint John’s so great and those are my teammates. Every year that I was at Saint John’s we had great senior classes that took care of the younger kids on the team. I still have great relationships with the people who were seniors when I was a freshman, and I think that is rare. There have even been guys who graduated before I even got to Saint John’s that I have formed friendships with. I think my favorite memory as a hockey player at Saint John’s was our team trip to Japan. We had such a fun group of guys that year, and we made the most out of our trip. I don’t think I would have gotten the same experience if I would’ve chosen a different Division III hockey program.
I also want to thank my family for all that they have done for me. First and foremost, my mom and dad. They have sacrificed so much over the years for me and my brothers to have the best chance of succeeding in the sport we love. My dad started off as my goalie coach for many years when I was a kid and he taught me so much about the game. Both of my brothers have taught me so much about hard work and what it takes to be the best and I thank them for all their support over the years. My grandpa has also been a huge part of my hockey career and my growth as a person. He has been a huge role model for me and has taught so many life lessons that cannot be replaced. My cousin, Tommy, and my uncle, Tom, have also supported me a lot and I want to thank them as well… even though Tommy graduated from St. Olaf last year! I wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for my family and I am so fortunate to be a part of such a tight-knit group.
My future plans are a little uncertain at the moment because of this pandemic that is going on. I had planned on applying for the Minneapolis Fire Department in April, but it has been pushed back indefinitely. I will still pursue that dream of mine and am confident I will end up there at some point. In the meantime, I will be starting my real estate classes and plan on joining my mom and uncle in their real estate business. I am hoping that being a real estate agent will work well the schedule of a firefighter. With that being said if any of you are looking for a house anytime soon you know who to call!
Finally, I want to thank Coach Doug, Thorson, Hommerding and Holly for all that they have done for me over my four years. They recruited some of the best people I will meet in my lifetime, and I cannot thank them enough for that.
Sincerely,
Andrew Lindgren
