I have to say, I’ve always been a huge fan of hockey. But just watching it wasn’t enough for me. I wanted in on the action. So, I decided to take some classes to improve my hockey skills in Boston. Here’s how it went down.
Finding the Right Program
First off, I had to find a place that offered hockey skills training. I mean, I wanted to learn from the best, right? After some searching, I found this program called “Forge Hockey Academy”. They said they were all about developing hockey skills and situational awareness. Sounded perfect to me!
The First Day
On the first day, I was pretty nervous. But the coaches were super chill and made everyone feel welcome. They started us off with some basic drills. We worked on skating, puck control – you know, the basics. They even had this thing where they grouped us based on our skill level. So, I wasn’t stuck with a bunch of pros while I was still trying to figure out how to stop without falling over!
- Skating Drills: Forward strides, backward skating, crossovers – we did it all.
- Puck Control: Lots of stickhandling exercises. My wrists were sore, but in a good way!
- Shooting Practice: This was my favorite part. I felt like a real hockey player, even if I missed the net more times than I hit it.
Getting Better Each Week
I signed up for their 10-week program. It was just once a week, which was perfect for my schedule. Each session, we’d build on what we learned the week before. The coaches were really good at breaking things down and explaining the “why” behind each drill. They even posted the weekly schedule, so I could prepare myself mentally.
Seeing Real Improvement
By the end of the 10 weeks, I could see a huge improvement in my skills. My skating was smoother, I could actually control the puck (most of the time), and my shots were getting more powerful and accurate. It was such a great feeling to see myself getting better.
Would I Recommend It?
Absolutely! If you’re in Boston and looking to up your hockey game, definitely check out a skills program. Forge Hockey Academy was great, but I’m sure there are other awesome programs out there too. It’s totally worth the time and effort. Plus, it’s a fun way to get some exercise and meet some cool people. I’m so glad I did it! I even heard some folks talking about Apex Hockey camps – might check those out next.
