The Minnesota constants around this time of year have always included wet lawns, raucous embracement of mild temperatures, and a large influx of suburb-dwellers descending on St. Paul neighborhoods like locusts to drink Aperol spritzes and sangria on patios. 

For the past few summers, another occurrence Minnesotans have become accustomed to is Matt Gleason making his annual pilgrimage to the CCM High-Performance National Camp. 

Gleason, a Cretin-Derham Hall sophomore, was recently selected to the High-Performance National Camp for the third straight year and said that each time he’s made the trip with less trepidation than the years before. 

“I am anxious to get out there and start playing but because it’s my third time I am not that nervous,” Gleason explained. “The first time I was extremely nervous, but now I just see it as a time to play high-pace hockey in front of scouts and meet some good guys.”

In just two varsity seasons, Gleason has already established himself as one of the top skaters in the state, racking up 53 goals and 95 points while leading the Raiders to 40 wins over the last two seasons and a Suburban East Conference title in 2017-2018.

While the camp is stocked with scouts from colleges, junior teams, and the NHL, Gleason said that while players are aware of the eyeballs trained on them, Gleason tries to block them out. 

“I wouldn’t say you get used to the scouts,” Gleason said. “At first, I was nervous every time I saw a scout but now I realize that I play better when I don’t think about the scouts,” Gleason added. “I just try to have fun and that usually translates over to me playing well.

Gleason, one of 17 2001-born Minnesotans invited to the camp, is one of just two forwards that has not committed to a college, with the other being Andover’s Charlie Schoen.

Roseau’s Aaron Huglen committed to Minnesota last year before recording 23 goals for the Rams this season and is headed to the national camp for the second straight year. 

Huglen got the scoop on the scouting situation from a former Ram standout. 

“One of my older buddies from Roseau, Bryden Stoskopf, was talking about his experiences at the camp and he mentioned that all he could see when he was playing was black jackets and clipboards,” Huglen said. “When I got there I found out he wasn’t kidding.”

Like Gleason, Huglen said that his worry over being so heavily evaluated wore off after the first few times on the ice, and added that the camp is a premium chance to showcase skills and competitiveness. 

“The competition is insane, especially because everyone there is trying to get noticed and (are) trying to make the next level,” Huglen said. “It’s the definitely one of the best places to get exposure.”

Similarly, Gleason and Huglen acknowledge that the week is highlighted by meeting players from all over the country, forming bonds and friendships across the hockey world.

"It’s amazing how close you can get to your roommates and other teammates in a week," Gleason said, while Huglen added that the time spent together as a team drives the friendship-building. 

"The guys I stayed with are now good friends who I still keep in touch with," Huglen said. "You are also with the whole team for the majority of the day which gives you plenty of time to get to know them all.