While many Harvard undergrads spent their summers working for Goldman Sachs, a law firm or some other gray suit outfit, Harvard men’s hockey sophomore forward Dennis Packard spent his representing the USA.

This summer Packard was one of four Harvard hockey players invited to take part in the USA Summer Hockey Challenge at Lake Placid, NY.

Along with freshmen Jesse Lane, Noah Welch and Tom Cavanagh, Packard participated in a four-day evaluation period with USA coaches.

After the first few days, cuts were made and Packard alone continued on to the next round—a set of four games against the Finnish Under-20 National Team.

“It was definitely an honor to be included as part of that group. I actually made it as an alternate,” said Packard. “I guess one of the guys got hurt and couldn’t come to camp. I was really excited to get the chance to go there.”

The forty men on the roster for the games against the Finnish included Packard and some of the best young talent in the United States.

“They are pretty much, for the most part, the best that the U.S. has to offer,” Packard said. “There are some great players that were left out after camp but for the most part they are all top-notch players.”

Despite playing on the ice with some of the best in the country this summer, Packard wasn’t intimidated.

“I think I held my own,” Packard said. “Obviously there are some great players there and I was by no means one of the best players there. But it’s a lot of fun to get out there and play with players that good.”

And how did Packard do?

“I scored in the last game but we ended up losing that one,” Packard said. “I only played in two of the four games. There were an excess of players.”

The USA went on to split the four-game series with Finland after losing the final game in an overtime shootout.

It was not the first time that Packard had participated in the U.S. National Program.

Packard played 67 games with the U.S. Under-18 National Team, where he scored 13 goals and added another 15 assists, before coming to Harvard.

The fact that Packard was involved in this camp probably wouldn’t surprise any Harvard hockey fans.