Cameron Gornet
St. Louis, Mo.
Dunster House
My name is Cameron Gornet. I am a member of the Class of 2020 and more importantly a member of the Harvard hockey team. It is hard to believe that only five weeks ago the season ended. While most people have left school, returned home, and started quarantining, I started a journey with three of my classmates to Hilton Head, South Carolina. Nathan Krusko, Frederic Gregoire, and one other classmate traveled from Boston to Niagara Falls to St. Louis to Nashville to Atlanta and finally to Hilton Head, SC where we have spent our time quarantining. We have even been fortunate enough to have our former teammate John Marino come and join us too. With teammates, family, beautiful weather, and the beach, I have not truly had a chance to reflect on how fortunate I have been to be a member of the Harvard men's hockey team. However, I will try to put into words how special this time has been for me.
Growing up, my siblings always competed with each other. It was always in loving fun, but my brother and I had the best rivalry. After high school, he went to Cornell. In addition, my father played his freshman year at Boston College on the JV hockey team. It therefore is a dream come true that I got the call from Ted Donato to be a member of the Harvard Crimson on a fall day in October of 2015. Harvard Hockey gave me the chance to win the Beanpot and beat Cornell in the Ivy League. We even played in the Frozen Four, won the NCAA Northeast Regional, and won the ECAC regular season and tournament. However, when I arrived I soon realized Harvard was something greater than just playing hockey. Harvard offered an international community spanning across the globe. I met alumni from Hong Kong, West Coast to East Coast, and everywhere in between. I created friends that will last me a lifetime. I have had mentors help teach me life lessons all because of a connection with Harvard Hockey. It is this network of family that makes Harvard that much more special.
It is therefore my wish upon reflection to thank this family. To those who have donated, to those who have provided internships and jobs, and those who cheer us at every game, thank you. For Dean Alford and Tim Brown, thank you for your support in helping me go to China for a once in a lifetime opportunity. To Stephan Month and Jeffrey Lee who provided hours of their time teaching me, thank you. To the coaching staff, thank you for all the opportunities to wear the jersey and prove what I could add to the team. Lastly, to my teammates and dearest friends, thank you for all the celebrations, practices, games, and memories. You were always there for me.
Lastly, as I begin the next step in my life, I will miss the opportunity to wear the Harvard jersey. However, I believe this is why they call it the Friends of Harvard Hockey because although we must begin a different journey, we can all continue to support our memories and passions that we love in a different manor. Thank you with all my heart.
