Club FS - better then all the rest?

This week has been a rather distant one for me as I have been in Northampton on a hockey camp, miles away from my beloved house of steel and unable to hear any Steelers related news until I got home.

So before I tell you about my week on camp I will tell you about the news that we have a new forward set to step onto the ice. That forward is Mike Ramsay who scored 64 times in the two seasons that he played for the Jackalopes. Ramsay is set to fill the skates of fan favorite Joey Talbot who recently retired, no pressure Mike!



Mike Ramsay (Photo from eliteprospects)

 Ok so back on track now! For an whole week I have been on a hockey camp with futures sports, improving my hockey and making new friends. When I got there I was delighted that I had my own room as it meant that I would get a good nights sleep - oh how I was wrong! The sound proofing was not great in the rooms so you could hear everything that went on in the building, I solved the problem by sleeping with my Ipod in my ears! On the plus side view from my room was stunning! It over looked the college grounds, I think I spent alot of my free time gazing at the many animals that were frolicing in the fields: llamas, Alpacas, pigs and sheep to name a few!

We did'nt just do hockey on camp either we did many other activites! Orienteering, Rock climbing, spinning, stength and conditioning but by far the best was the day spent doing water sports! We built rafts in two teams and raced to see who's was better. My team won by default as the other raft fell to pieces in the finnishing straight, we then started a rescue mission and in the end everyone was standing on one raft (untill the weight got too much and that one broke aswell). We then headed out on kayaks and canoes and played a water version of bulldog!

During the spin session I felt right at home, probally one of the only times I felt really happy over the entire week. The reason may sound a bit silly to you but while I was cycling all the songs that were being played were ones that the Steelers play during their warm ups! I could not hide the smile I had on my face as happy memories of last season came to mind!

Also one of the coaches, Greg, soon became one of my favorite as he was the spitting image of ex-Pens player Max Talbot (now plays for the Flyers).  Yes its a silly reason to like someone but once again he reminded me of home and the hours I spent last season watching the Penguins play!

Another non ice hockey related highlight of the trip was going to watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2. The film was amazing and packed with laugh out loud moments! If you have not yet seen it then I suggest you get you arse in gear and go to your local cinema NOW!

I had a great time at camp and met many new friends that I hope to keep in touch with, however I did struggle to cope being so far away from family and my friends back home and would like to thank them for the phone calls when they had to put up with me crying and making very little sense! Thanks for being there for me guys!

Club FS - one big family (photo by Alice Reed)