Boys 15 Camp: Day 4 Recap

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Nate Schmidt, who played at St. Cloud Cathedral and for the University of Minnesota, talked about how important his ability to grow and adapt his game has been in his career. Photo by Loren Nelson, LegacyHockeyPhotography

High school phenom at St. Cloud Cathedral, but untouched in the NHL Draft.

Recruited by numerous top-label Division I programs, but a healthy scratch most nights as a freshman at the University of Minnesota.

Coveted as a free agent and signed by the Washington Capitals but relegated to the minor leagues at the start of his pro career.

Nate Schmidt's career has had more ups and downs than a theme park roller coaster. Schmidt, who played at the Minnesota Hockey High Performance Summer Development Camp as a teenager and now serves as camp coach, spoke to the players Tuesday after dinner about his career highs and lows and the steps he took to not only survive but thrive at every level.

"You have to be able to adapt," Schmidt told the players, adding that he embraces the shutdown role he plays for the the Canucks.

Rag Ball is among the camp's most popular off-ice activities. Photo by Loren Nelson, LegacyHockeyPhotography.com

Royal Blue 11, Red 2

At least one NHL scout was in attendance to watch Royal Blue continue its demolition of Development Camp competition. A five-point performance (2 goals, 3 assists) from Brodie Ziemer (Shattuck-St. Mary's) sparked Royal Blue to the victory.

Max Plante and Dallas Vieau, both from Hermantown, also scored twice for Royal Blue, which is 4-0 and the lone unbeaten team remaining.

Royal Blue has been more and more dominant with each outing. It won its first game by three goals, its second game by four, its third game by eight and Tuesday's game by nine. Royal Blue has outscored its opponents 29-5.

Royal Blue's Dallas Vieau and Red goaltender Tate Metcalf. Photo by Loren Nelson, LegacyHockeyPhotography.com

White 3, Green 2

Braydin Lund (Thief River Falls) scored the game winner in the second half as White held off Green to improve to 3-1.

White goaltender Otto Reinhart (Totino-Grace) stopped all 10 first-half shots he faced.

Lund and John Hirschfeld (St. Cloud) each had a goal and an assist. Dominic Kopp (Woodbury) and Graham Greeder (White Bear Lake) scored for Green (2-2).