Angeli Answers Invite
Friday, 06.29.2012 / 8:44 PM / Features
By Renee Anderson - BostonBruins.com
WILMINGTON, MA – Ohio State University’s Darik Angeli is among the seven invitees participating in this week’s Boston Bruins Development Camp at Ristuccia Arena.
The Lakewood, Colorado native received the good news about his summer sojourn last December.
“It was pretty cool just knowing that you’re doing something right and it’s paying off,” Angeli said. “It’s just kind of like a dream come true.”
The 21-year-old forward just finished his freshman season with the Buckeyes, where he tallied seven goals and eight assists for a total of 15 points and 26 penalty minutes in 32 games. He compared playing at the collegiate level to his previous seasons in the United States Hockey League.
“Ohio State is really different just because of how big it is,” Angeli said. “The city of Columbus has kind of a championship feel to it with basketball and football.
“With the USHL you’re in the Midwest...and it’s fun being with the boys and all of that stuff, but it’s a different feel with school and everything.
“It’s similar hockey but [school is] a little bit faster and stronger, so it gets you ready for the NHL,” he said.
Angeli arrived at Development Camp eager and excited to absorb the once-in-a-lifetime experience. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder knows he has a lot to learn before breaking into the National Hockey League.
“What I’m trying to get out of camp is just learn as I go and kind of just suck everything in like a sponge,” he said following the first day of camp. “Looking around I definitely see that I have to get a little bit bigger like a lot of these guys that are in the AHL and looking to get NHL deals.
“So, I mean that’s what I’ve learned after just a day.”
Angeli said his dad introduced him to hockey after the Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 1996, but the Angeli family is no stranger to athletic success, either.
Darik’s sister Jordan plays soccer for the Boston Breakers of the Women’s Professional Soccer League and the younger Angeli said his big sis has shared some advice about playing on the professional level.
“Well she’s had some knee injuries, so she’s just telling me to take everything in and just experience and don’t take anything for granted, because you know a season ending injury can just take you out of it,” Angeli said.
This week of grueling exercises both on and off the ice will be a true testament to his own work ethic, but Darik said his sister sets the family standard.
“Just seeing how hard she works and how hard it took her to get to where she was, it’s pretty cool and I just hope I can have half as much work ethic that she has,” he said.
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