As everyone who has known New York Islanders boss Lou Lamoriello from his days running the Providence College hockey program, he is a complicated, learning hockey man. But what was it like to work closely with Lou?

As everyone who has known New York Islanders boss Lou Lamoriello from his days running the Providence College hockey program, he is a complicated, learning hockey man.

But what was it like to work closely with Lou?

One who was fortunate enough to be in that position was Chris Riley, a veteran hockey producer and tech guy who for years on Madison Square Garden Networks, Islanders, Devils, and network telecasts.

The following are Riley's fond memories of  "Life With Lou:"

THE LAMORIELLO HOCKEY CAMP & CHRIS

"I attended Lou's camp for about eight years, and it was one of the best memories I have had growing up in the game of hockey. I not only made lifelong friends at the camp but worked with coaches who later coached me when I played hockey at Providence."

WHAT MADE THIS CAMP SO SPECIAL

"It was the coaches. What will always stand out to me was more about the process of becoming a hockey player is what you learned. Lots of the coaches were at high schools working behind the benches. They had an understanding of what needed to be done on a daily basis in development. The coaches cared about you and taught you about the game.".

GIVING A LIVE EXAMPLE

" I can remember coaches stopping a drill and showing what we needed to correct to do the drill better. On top of that, we learned what it took to be a success in all aspects of life. It's interesting that now -- 40 years later -- I'm still in touch with guys I was with at Lou's camps.

"Many of my campmates have had great success in their lives. I don't necessarily mean monetary success but reaching the top in what they've done. That says a lot about a hockey camp. And it was such a fun time in our lives"

SIMILARITY TO MARINE BOOT CAMP

"It was like boot camp in terms of discipline, and that aspect served us well. In my case, I had to overcome learning issues.in (http://issues.in/) school. What I did was use it as a motivation to succeed. I may not have always finished on top when it came to school work, but -- because of what I learned from Lou -- to keep going even when things didn't go my way was a valuable lesson for life. 

"Also, my parents told me that I had to work hard in school so I could go to the camp. Lou only wanted players at his camp who worked hard at all aspects of their lives."

PEOPLE LESSONS

"Lou was way ahead of his time when it came to the development of players as people. He chose very well-rounded and smart players to attend Providence College. The team had great success considering that it was a relatively small college in Rhode Island. And when you think of players who succeeded in the NHL, it's even more amazing and a tribute to Lou."

SOME OF THE COACHES

"Brian Burke was one, and Ron Wilson taught me power skating.

"Bob Bellemore went on to become the Devils' goalie coach. The brothers, Kurt and Scott Kleinendorst coached us in skills and games. At one point, Lou had the following players commit to Providence College -- Brian Lawton, Bobby Carpenter, and Tom Barrasso  -- three first-round picks out of high schools in New England."

WHY IMPRESSIVE

"Lou succeeded coming from Providence and not part of the Boston hockey crowd. Lou was an outsider in a lot of ways, but he was so hardworking and, as a result, so successful."