So my kid’s been really into hockey lately, right? Skating around our driveway every dang day pretending he’s an NHL star. Figured BU’s summer camp might be cool, but man, their website was confusing AF about age groups. Gotta get this right or he’s either drowning with big kids or bored stiff with toddlers.
The Start: Website Maze
Cracked open my laptop last Tuesday night with some cold brew. Hit the BU Athletics page – total info overload. Found the hockey camp section after clicking like 7 links. They listed groups by “Future Terriers” and “Elite Prospects” or whatever, but no clear age ranges. Just said stuff like “for developing players”. Dude, all kids are developing! Pulled out my hair for 20 minutes before saying screw this.
Phase Two: Phone Tag
Next morning, dialed the camp office number. Got some grad student assistant who sounded half-asleep. She mumbled about “birth year cutoff” something. Made her repeat twice – turns out they split by calendar year birthdays, not grade levels. Wrote it down messy on a Dunkin’ napkin:
- Mini Mites: 2016-2017 birthdays
- Junior Group: 2014-2015
- Senior Group: 2010-2013
- HS Prep: 2006-2009
Still fuzzy though. Like what if my 2015 kid plays travel team? Assistant just shrugged through the phone. Useless.
The Real Deal
Went straight to the rink Thursday after work. Caught Coach Wilson lacing up before practice. This guy knows hockey like my grandma knows soap operas. Showed him my crumpled napkin notes. He laughed and broke it down proper:
- Mini Mites (4-6 yr): Mostly skating drills with teddy bears on pucks
- Juniors (7-9 yr): Passing/shooting, zero checking allowed
- Seniors (10-13 yr): Full gear scrimmages, intro to body contact
- HS Prep (14-17 yr): College-level drills, recruiters sometimes watch
Best part? He watched my kid’s practice tape right there on my phone. Said “Yeah put him in Seniors – little young but skates better than half my JV team.” Boom! Signed up online in the rink parking lot with cold fingers.
Epilogue
Kid finished week one looking like he won the Stanley Cup. Moral? Websites lie, grad students barely function, but actual hockey guys? Gold. Almost screwed up putting him with babies cause some brochure said “8-10=beginner”. Nope. Skate level beats birthday candles every time.
