Alright, so I finally went and did it. Signed myself up for the Boston University hockey camp. I’d been mulling it over for ages, you know, seeing their program’s reputation and all. Figured it was time to actually experience it instead of just thinking about it.
Getting Prepped and Doubts
First off, actually committing was a step. Then came the logistics. Digging out all my gear, sharpening skates, the whole nine yards. Felt like I was preparing for a minor expedition. Packing my bag, I probably threw in way more stuff than I needed. Old habits die hard, I guess. Flying into Boston was straightforward, but then navigating to the campus, that was an adventure in itself. Let me tell you, those Boston roads are no joke, especially when you’re not used to them.
I’m not gonna lie, there was a bit of that “what am I getting myself into?” feeling. I mean, it’s BU. They’ve got a serious hockey program. Was I going to be completely out of my depth? Probably. But hey, that’s how you learn, right?
First Day on the Ice
So, I showed up at Walter Brown Arena. Man, that place just breathes hockey history. You can feel it as soon as you walk in. The ice looked incredible, perfectly smooth. The locker rooms were what you’d expect, nothing fancy, but functional. It was all business.
The first day, they didn’t waste any time. We were on the ice pretty quick. Lots of skating drills. And I mean, a LOT. Edges, crossovers, starts, stops. My legs were burning within the first hour. The coaches were intense, very direct. No sugar-coating things. If your form was off, they told you. Loudly, sometimes. But it wasn’t mean-spirited, just… focused.
There was a real mix of guys there. Some younger kids who were clearly super skilled, probably with big aspirations. Then there were guys a bit older, like me, just looking to improve, to push ourselves. It made for an interesting dynamic.
The Grind of the Camp
The next few days were pretty much a blur of hockey. Early mornings, long hours on the ice. We covered everything – puck control, shooting drills, passing, defensive zone coverage, offensive tactics. Some of it started to click. Other parts, well, let’s just say I spent a fair amount of time thinking, “I am terrible at this.”
One thing that really stood out was the pace. Everything was fast. Drills were quick, transitions were quick. It really forced you to think and react faster than you might be used to. My brain felt as tired as my legs by the end of each day. We did some small area games too, which were brutal but also a lot of fun. That’s where you really see if you can apply what they’re teaching.
Off the ice, there wasn’t a whole lot of extra stuff. We had some video sessions, which were, uh, enlightening. Seeing your own mistakes on a big screen is humbling, to say the least. But it’s also super helpful. Mostly, it was grab some food, try to rehydrate, and get to bed early because you knew the next day was going to be just as demanding.
Scrimmages and Wrapping Up
Towards the end of the camp, we got into more scrimmage situations. This was what I was really looking forward to. A chance to put all those drills into a game context. It was fast, a bit chaotic, but a good test. I definitely wasn’t scoring any highlight-reel goals or anything, but I felt like I was making better decisions with the puck, my positioning felt a little more solid.
By the final session, I was running on fumes. Completely exhausted, but in a good way. That feeling when you know you’ve pushed yourself hard. My whole body ached, but there was a sense of accomplishment there too.
Final Thoughts on the BU Hockey Camp
So, looking back on it all? It was tough. Definitely not a vacation. You go there to work, and they make sure you do. The coaching was top-notch, no doubt about it. They know their stuff, and they expect a lot from you, which is good. The facilities are great. Just being in that environment, at a place like BU, was pretty cool.
Would I do it again? I’d have to think about it. It’s a big commitment, time and energy-wise. But if you’re serious about improving your game and you want to experience a high-level training environment, then yeah, I’d say it’s worth checking out. Just be prepared to sweat, be prepared to be challenged, and maybe pack some extra muscle rub. You’ll need it.
