Max was one of my closest friends throughout my later years of high school. I really got to know Max in the 10th grade, my first year of high school hockey. He was one of the “older kids” that the young kids moving up always feared. It didn’t take long for me to learn that he was not what we may think of the older kids. He was a genuinely kind, caring, passionate friend to everyone. Max was the kind of friend that I looked up to, he was always looking out for me and was always there for me whenever I needed him. There always seemed to be a page in his book that we could all use.
I remember after every practice we would hang out in the locker room for hours, showering and listening to music. We would go fishing, take a ride out to Grandpa Jack’s to listen to same stories we had heard 100 times before, but they always seemed to change. Or, we would just grab some coffee and drive around and find something to do. There was never a dull moment no matter what we did. Max always had that new song that he found that he has been dying to play for the rest of the boys and he always had that fishing picture from his latest adventure on Lake of the Woods he has been waiting for the perfect time to show off. Max was always a phone call away and ready to do anything no matter what it was. You need help loading something up, you’re going out fishing and need a buddy, need someone to go get some lunch with, you just call Max and he would be there as soon as he could, no matter what it was. I am very grateful to have had the chance to share endless memories with Max. They are the memories that I will value and cherish forever. He has truly touched and blessed my life in every way possible.