Where did you play before this?
If you don't know what a tryout camp is like...
Thats always the dreaded question isn't it!? Seems as if its always the first one asked too. Alas I'll give it a shot.
I'll be honest I don't have a stacked Ice Hockey resume but I hope to be the diamond in the rough. Experience wise in general? I played 4 years Varsity Ice Hockey in the DSHA, Then fulfilled my life long dream to serve in the US military. I served 6 years in the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) testing myself emotionally and physically on a daily basis. All the while I played for a Canadian Air Force tournament team, playing a few tourneys a year and Div I Mens League in the Pacific Northwest to stay sharp. The tournaments usually consisted of high caliber players (x-NHL, x-Air Force Academy, etc.) but again it was a tournament and not a league, but I've always been able to hold my own.
I have fulfilled my contract with the Air Force and now am getting back on my horse for competitive hockey.
Since I have been interested in returning to competitive play again I've looked at my options and it seems that going to Free Agent camps is the only real option for a 25 year old. I believe I have a few years (2 maybe 1) left of NCAA eligibility. I finished my degree while in the military in 2 years so I am unsure if that counts and also unsure if going back to school to play college hockey is even an option. The dream is still alive and well and I know I can hack it but playing mens leagues isn't going to cut it, so I needed a motivator. Thats where signing up for the camps came in. I needed a goal to shoot for. I believe that having this free agent camp tryout will give me a good base of where I am at and where pro hockey is at currently.
Currently I live in Hawaii (needed to decompress after military service and live in the sun!) and as you can probably assume there isn't much competitive Ice Hockey here. I play men's league here and there are actually some very skilled players who are in the military stationed here (5 -10 maybe). Most played Jr.A and a few ECHL. I've also been playing a lot of Inline here using RollerFly to help my game. The inline skill level here is top notch. Some pro players here and x-pro that play in the league.
Obviously I cannot give up the dream and I want to play hockey at a competitive level and more than once a week for beers after. At 25 I want to play hockey, have practices, work on my weaknesses, and be challenged on a daily basis. Currently since I've signed up for the camp I've ramped up my training to include more explosive type training. I.E. Heavy back squats 3x week, coupled with Cleans, Deads, or Bench. On top of my recreational stuff, Triathlons, CrossFit, My personal training side business, I've been working hand eye stuff and drilling at open ice times to rid of bad habits and clean the cobwebs.
Either way I am positive all of this is still not impressive enough for someone to say "You'll be fine at Free Agent Camp" but I am going into this camp 100% with my mind focused on getting a contract. I hope my work ethic and passion will get me through the sticking spots.
NOW that thats out... I really just want to know how the camps are run and what to expect. It is a 2 day Free Agent Camp so I assume there will be lots of skating and taking lots of shots? For sure a few scrimmages, but aside from that can anyone give me a run down? What was your experiences like and any tips. Like previously stated I am going into the camp with the mindset of getting a contract, but secondly I am going to make connections and get my name out there. Put a face to the name and show that I am serious about playing Hockey.
Thank you for taking time to read and I hope to hear from you all
-Randy