Felicific calculus: A philosopher at hockey camp

The following tale was written by Lake Superior State University Philosophy Professor Jason Swedene, describing his LSSU hockey camp experience last summer.

Dr. Swedene is shown above getting advice from Laker Hockey Assistant Coach Rich Metro.

LSSU will be hosting summer hockey camps June 22 through 26, and June 29 to July 3.

The fee is $100, or $175 for both camps.

Registrants receive six hours of ice time and their own hockey jersey.

Applications are available here.

************************* SAULT STE. MARIE, MI - On my way to and from my classes last summer, I noticed young Superior Edventurers, both outdoors and in classrooms, learning about magic, astronomy, and video game programming.

I decided to enroll in an Edventure myself.

I had purchased my first pair of ice skates six months before and, feeling like Gretzky might if he were about to place ice hockey for the first time, nervously committed my $100 to the adult skills clinic.

I was ready, or at the very least, signed up.

Would I be overstating adult hockey skills if I said it was the best thing that ever happened to me?

Perhaps, but let me tell of my enriching experience.

I entered the Laker dressing room on the first night and felt at ease almost immediately.

Coach Jim Roque was truly happy to be with us, to show off the facilities, and to teach us to enjoy the game at a higher level.

And, I was in pretty good company.

With two chiropractors, a physician, and me, a philosopher, I knew I was safe: safe from back spasms, an uncontrollable fever, and a bad argument.

I should mention that an environmental scientist was there too.

He would be good to have around, even if I couldn't pinpoint why on the first night.

Those who needed it were lent full protective gear.

We were given a stick and taught how to replace a stick blade.

The full gear made falling on the ice, which I did often, almost enjoyable.

The two assistants shepherded us through the next two nights.

On the second night of hockey, Rich Metro said to me, "Here’s how you transfer weight when you take a slap shot."

On the third night of hockey, Tim Christian said to me, "Here's how you transfer weight when you take a slap shot; here's how you lean into turns when you skate, and a partridge in a pear tree."

Sorry, I was distracted.

Back to the Hockey Edventure.

We met for four consecutive nights, spending the first hour doing basic skating and shooting drills.

The next hour, we usually played a scrimmage game.

The coaches got in on the games and sincerely enjoyed playing with us.

Stand-out alumni goaltender Jeff Jakaitis '07 even participated in a scrimmage later in the week.

I wondered if I could score on him if given 100 shots, but my rumination was not to be tested.

He played forward.

It didn't seem to matter how much skill or experience we had, coaches Roque, Metro, and Christian pushed us and gave us homework to work on during open skating times and with drop-in hockey.

Each night, the hockey would end at 9 p.m. with the Norris Center's hot sauna waiting for those of us who wanted it.

Although we were all tired, nobody seemed to want to leave the ice.

The philosopher John Stuart Mill is famous for developing a "felicific calculus," to help us measure how much happiness our actions produce.

I have noticed that another good measurement of happiness is whether participants desire to re-experience the same thing in the future.

Some of our hockey campers wanted to rent ice time once a month and continue the fun.

Others were making plans for playing outdoor hockey on homemade rinks.

All of us were thinking of ways to expand participation in this clinic for next year.

I am registering for the clinic again this summer.

I hope the environmental scientist returns, too.

Maybe then I can take 100 shots on him and make a few.

In sum, there are some opportunities in life in which we ought to participate, even if we are at first apprehensive.

I would recommend this skills camp to beginners, perpetual beginners, and serious players alike.

For more information on LSSU summer camps including this hockey camp, visit lssu.edu/summercamps.

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