Our Kids Play Hockey

🔥 What if conflict isn’t the problem in youth hockey… but avoiding it is? Whether it’s a disagreement over playing time, tension between teammates, a frustrated parent, or an uncomfortable conversation with a coach, conflict is inevitable in sports. But according to Bill Taylor, founder of Sports Conflict Lab and author of Managing Sports Conflict: Five Tools to Master Conflict , learning how to handle those moments can actually make teams, relationships, and young athletes stronger. In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey , Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Christie Casciano-Burns sit down with Bill to explore why healthy conflict is essential for growth—and why teams that never challenge one another may actually be limiting their potential. 🏒 In this episode, you’ll hear: • Why avoiding conflict usually makes the eventual problem bigger • How healthy conflict can improve trust, communication, accountability, and team culture • Why coaches should establish a conflict-resolution process before the season gets difficult • The danger of “three-way conflict” when players or parents complain to everyone except the person involved • Why parents should ask questions instead of immediately accusing or correcting • How emotional regulation can completely change the outcome of a difficult conversation • Why a 24-hour cooling-off period can help parents and coaches communicate more effectively • The difference between hearing someone and actually practicing active listening • How genuine apologies can repair trust after a coach, parent, or player makes a mistake • Why curiosity is more productive than judgment during conflict • How parents can accidentally rob their kids of important life skills by solving every disagreement for them • Why championship-level teams often become stronger by learning how to work through uncomfortable moments together One of the biggest takeaways from Bill is simple: conflict is not a battle to win—it’s a problem to solve. When athletes learn to manage their emotions, speak directly to teammates, listen before reacting, and work through disagreement, they aren’t just becoming better hockey players. They’re building communication and relationship skills they can carry for the rest of their lives. 📘 Bill Taylor is the founder and CEO of Sports Conflict Lab and the author of Managing Sports Conflict: Five Tools to Master Conflict . Learn more about Bill’s work, conflict-management education, and resources at SportsConflictLab.com . If you’re a hockey parent, coach, or team leader, this is an episode worth sharing with your entire hockey community. 🎧 Listen, subscribe, and send this episode to someone who has ever had to navigate an uncomfortable conversation in youth hockey—which, let’s be honest, is probably everyone. 📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Why Healthy Conflict Can Make Youth Hockey Teams Stronger #OurKidsPlayHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyParents #HockeyCoaches #SportsConflict #ConflictResolution #SportsParenting #HockeyCulture #TeamCulture #YouthSports #SportsLeadership #CommunicationSkills #BillTaylor #SportsConflictLab #HockeyDevelopment Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Hockey IQ: Scanning the ice, recognizing pressure, anticipating what happens next, making the right decision faster. Research shows these perceptual and decision-making skills can actually be trained. With NHL Sense Arena , kids can get extra game-like reps at home, working on hockey IQ, reactions, real stick-handling for skaters, while goalies can train reads and tracking. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at http://hockey.sensearena.com/okph Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know! Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow! Follow Us On Social Media: Facebook Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

🏒 What started as a simple “Day in the Life” became a front-row seat to hockey history. At the beginning of the season, Hayley Scamurra was facing uncertainty. She was balancing Team USA evaluation camps with a new chapter for the Montreal Victoire, competing for an Olympic roster spot while navigating the demands of a full professional season. By the end of it, she had accomplished something no woman had ever done before: win an Olympic gold medal and the PWHL Walter Cup in the same year. In this special edition of Our Kids Play Hockey , we look back at Hayley’s unforgettable 2025–26 season—from Olympic camps and the nerve-wracking wait for the Team USA call, to winning gold, returning immediately to the PWHL playoff race, surviving an incredible postseason, lifting the Walter Cup with Montreal, and celebrating in front of a sea of fans in the streets of the city. 🥇 Inside this episode: 🏒 How Hayley approached Olympic tryouts by focusing on her role instead of comparing herself to other elite players 🇺🇸 The emotional phone call confirming she had made her second U.S. Olympic team 🥇 What finally winning Olympic gold meant after a lifetime dedicated to hockey 🧠 Why visualization, confidence, and staying present became such important parts of her season ✈️ The whirlwind transition from Olympic champion back to professional hockey—with almost no time to recover 🎤 What it was like going from the rink to The Kelly Clarkson Show and meeting Pink 🔥 How Montreal surged after the Olympic break and finished first in the PWHL standings 🏆 The dramatic road through the PWHL playoffs, including an unforgettable Walter Cup Final 💪 Why Hayley’s value went far beyond goals and points—and how embracing her role helped unlock one of the best seasons of her career 🎉 The Montreal championship parade that showed just how far professional women’s hockey has come For young players and hockey parents, Hayley’s story carries an important lesson: success doesn’t always come from trying to be everything. Sometimes it comes from understanding exactly what you bring to a team, embracing that role, and doing it exceptionally well. And perhaps the biggest takeaway is bigger than one player, one medal, or one championship. The history being made by players like Hayley today becomes the possibility young hockey players will expect tomorrow. Congratulations to our own Hayley Scamurra—Olympic gold medalist, Walter Cup champion, and the first woman to accomplish both in the same year. 🎧 Listen to this special journey through one remarkable season and an unforgettable chapter in women’s hockey history. 📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: From Olympic Dream to Walter Cup Champion: Hayley Scamurra’s Historic Year in Hockey Have fun, skate hard, and keep dreaming big. #OurKidsPlayHockey #HayleyScamurra #WomensHockey #PWHL #MontrealVictoire #TeamUSA #OlympicHockey #OlympicGold #WalterCup #GirlsHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyParents #HockeyDevelopment #ProfessionalHockey Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Hockey IQ: Scanning the ice, recognizing pressure, anticipating what happens next, making the right decision faster. Research shows these perceptual and decision-making skills can actually be trained. With NHL Sense Arena , kids can get extra game-like reps at home, working on hockey IQ, reactions, real stick-handling for skaters, while goalies can train reads and tracking. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at http://hockey.sensearena.com/okph Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know! Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow! Follow Us On Social Media: Facebook Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

🥅 Want more energy on the ice? Start by looking at what you’re putting into your body. On this episode of The Ride to The Rink , Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Christie Casciano Burns talk directly to young hockey players about something that can make a real difference in how they feel, focus, and perform: nutrition . Food is fuel, and just like a car can’t run well without the right gas, hockey players need the right fuel to perform at their best. The crew breaks down why healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or boring. They talk about building better routines, making smarter snack choices, learning how to cook, trying new foods, and getting the whole family—or even the whole team—involved. 🏒 In this episode, you’ll hear about: Why nutrition can affect your energy, focus, and performance 🍌 Simple hockey snacks like bananas with peanut butter, yogurt with berries, apples, wraps, oatmeal, and smoothies Why creating a food routine can make game days easier How NHL players often rely on consistent pregame meals and routines Why healthy eating habits are easier to build when you start young How young players can help prepare their own meals and snacks Why cooking at home can sometimes be more affordable than fast food How picky eaters can challenge themselves to try something new Why eating well works even better when teammates and families do it together And one of the biggest challenges from the episode? Try one new food this week without deciding you hate it before you even taste it. Your hockey development doesn’t only happen at practice. What you eat, how you prepare, and the habits you build away from the rink can all help you become a stronger, more energized athlete. 🎧 Listen now, share this episode with your teammates, and start thinking about one small nutrition habit you can improve this week. Work hard. Have fun. Fuel well. And keep enjoying the ride. #YouthHockey #HockeyNutrition #HockeyPlayers #YouthAthletes #SportsNutrition #HockeyTraining #HealthyEating #HockeyParents #AthleteNutrition #HockeyPerformance #HockeySnacks #TheRideToTheRink Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Hockey IQ: Scanning the ice, recognizing pressure, anticipating what happens next, making the right decision faster. Research shows these perceptual and decision-making skills can actually be trained. With NHL Sense Arena , kids can get extra game-like reps at home, working on hockey IQ, reactions, real stick-handling for skaters, while goalies can train reads and tracking. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at http://hockey.sensearena.com/okph Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know! Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow! Follow Us On Social Media: Facebook Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

🏒 What’s for dinner when practice starts at 5:30, homework still needs to get done, and everyone is heading in a different direction? For hockey families, feeding everyone during the season can feel like another full-time job. Between practices, games, tournaments, school, work, and travel, the fast-food drive-thru can start looking like the easiest option. But it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey , Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Christie Casciano-Burns tackle one of the most relatable challenges hockey parents face: how to feed your family—and fuel your hockey player—when the schedule is completely chaotic. 🥘 From crockpot meals and rotisserie chicken to breakfast-for-dinner, taco night, prepacked snacks, and tournament-friendly options, the crew shares realistic ideas that hockey families can actually use. You’ll hear: 🏒 Why meal planning matters more than creating the “perfect” dinner 🥪 Simple grab-and-go foods for busy practice nights 🍌 Easy snack ideas for before and after hockey ⏰ How food choices can change depending on how close you are to game time 🥘 Why the crockpot may be the MVP of hockey season 💰 How planning ahead can help families rely less on expensive fast food 🍝 The hosts’ favorite hockey-family meals that kids actually eat 🧊 Why packing food for tournaments can save time, money, and frustration 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 How involving kids in meal planning can teach habits that last well beyond hockey And perhaps most importantly, this episode is a reminder that the goal isn’t gourmet—it’s preparation . Your family dinner may happen at 4:45 one night and 9:30 the next. Some nights everyone may eat together; other nights it’s grab-and-go. What matters is creating a plan that works for your family and gives your young athlete the fuel they need. As Lee points out, parents spend enormous amounts of time thinking about skating lessons, shooting coaches, camps, clinics, and development opportunities. But something as basic as what a player eats can also have a real impact on how prepared and energized they feel on the ice. 📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: How Busy Hockey Families Can Make Mealtime Easier and Fuel Their Players Better 🎧 Listen now and steal a few ideas for your next busy hockey week. Have a favorite hockey-family meal, tournament snack, or crockpot recipe? Send it to team@ourkidsplayhockey.com . You can also explore books, apparel, partners, and more at OurKidsPlayHockey.com/deals . #OurKidsPlayHockey #HockeyParents #YouthHockey #HockeyNutrition #HockeyMom #HockeyDad #YouthSportsNutrition #HockeyMeals #MealPrep #HockeyLife #TournamentHockey #SportsParents Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Hockey IQ: Scanning the ice, recognizing pressure, anticipating what happens next, making the right decision faster. Research shows these perceptual and decision-making skills can actually be trained. With NHL Sense Arena , kids can get extra game-like reps at home, working on hockey IQ, reactions, real stick-handling for skaters, while goalies can train reads and tracking. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at http://hockey.sensearena.com/okph Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know! Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow! Follow Us On Social Media: Facebook Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

🏒 What if your young hockey player could get individualized feedback, video analysis, coach collaboration, and a season-long development plan—all without adding another practice to the calendar? In this special edition of Our Kids Play Hockey , Lee Elias sits down with longtime coach and player-development expert Mike Bonelli to introduce Mike’s new Player Advising Program , designed to give youth hockey players and families something that can be hard to find during a busy season: consistent, individualized feedback. Rather than focusing on playing time, rankings, or where a player should play years from now, Mike’s approach starts with a much simpler question: Where is the player today—and how can we help them make meaningful progress throughout the season? With more than 40 years of experience in player development, coaching, mentorship, recruiting, and player advancement, Mike has built a program that combines professional evaluation with practical, season-long guidance. He also works directly with each player’s coach so that the feedback supports—not conflicts with—the player’s team environment. 🎯 In this episode, you’ll hear about: Why the beginning of the hockey season is such an important time to establish a player-development baseline How individualized video review can help players actually see what coaches are asking them to improve Why Mike communicates directly with the player’s coach throughout the process How comparing a player’s film with higher-level players can create clearer teaching moments Why skate hollow, blade profile, radius, and overall skate setup can make a meaningful difference in performance How outside feedback can sometimes help young players hear the same lesson in an entirely new way Why development should be measured across an entire season—not one tournament, practice, or weekend The Player Advising Program includes an initial one-on-one intake meeting, six individualized player progress reports—including a baseline evaluation, four in-season reports, and a final report—access to a private video portal, professional skate and blade review, and two private speaker-series programs. 💰 Our Kids Play Hockey introductory offering: $225 per player The program runs from September through February , and space is limited. 👉 Ready to register? Complete the Player Advising Program form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSch6ZRzHEpzAEHKd5ZDjjbhxwGBGbVSHNg23MUckydf93VOHQ/viewform 📅 Have questions or want to speak with Mike first? Schedule a quick consultation here: https://calendly.com/mike-mikebonellihockeysolutions/30min?month=2026-09 If your young player would benefit from more individualized feedback, better understanding of their game, and a clearer development path throughout the season, this episode will show you exactly what that process can look like. Listen, learn, and keep helping your player enjoy the process of becoming the best version of themselves. #OurKidsPlayHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyDevelopment #HockeyParents #PlayerDevelopment #HockeyCoaching #HockeyTraining #HockeyIQ #YouthSports #MikeBonelli Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Hockey IQ: Scanning the ice, recognizing pressure, anticipating what happens next, making the right decision faster. Research shows these perceptual and decision-making skills can actually be trained. With NHL Sense Arena , kids can get extra game-like reps at home, working on hockey IQ, reactions, real stick-handling for skaters, while goalies can train reads and tracking. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at http://hockey.sensearena.com/okph Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know! Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow! Follow Us On Social Media: Facebook Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

🏒 Dreaming about playing college hockey someday? The work doesn’t start when recruiting begins—it starts with the habits you’re building right now. On this episode of The Ride to The Rink , Lee Elias and Christie Casciano Burns are joined by Kiersten Sires, creator of 2aDays , to help young hockey players understand what they can do today to prepare for the opportunities they hope to have tomorrow. And here’s the good news: you don’t need to be emailing college coaches or worrying about recruiting rankings at eight, ten, or twelve years old. You need to start becoming the kind of person and player coaches will want on their team. Kiersten shares why college coaches pay attention to much more than goals, assists, and skating ability—and why your grades, body language, communication skills, consistency, and treatment of teammates can eventually separate you from other players. 🏒 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why strong daily habits matter long before college recruiting begins 📚 Why your grades can open—or limit—future college hockey opportunities What coaches notice about your body language and behavior away from the puck Why being a great teammate matters when you think nobody is watching How introducing yourself and communicating confidently builds an important life skill Why young players need to learn how to advocate for themselves instead of always relying on parents How effort in school, chores, practice, and everyday life helps build your compete level ❤️ Why having fun still needs to be part of chasing big hockey dreams The message for every young player is simple: work hard, learn something, communicate, be a great teammate—and enjoy the ride. Wherever you are in your hockey journey, keep building the habits that will help you on the ice and everywhere else. 📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Want to Play College Hockey Someday? Start With What You Do Today. 🎧 Listen now, share this episode with a young player who dreams of college hockey, and check out 2aDays to learn more about Kiersten Sires and the college sports experience. #YouthHockey #CollegeHockey #HockeyRecruiting #CollegeHockeyRecruiting #HockeyPlayers #YouthAthletes #HockeyParents #StudentAthlete #HockeyDevelopment #HockeyLife #TheRideToTheRink #2aDays Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Hockey IQ: Scanning the ice, recognizing pressure, anticipating what happens next, making the right decision faster. Research shows these perceptual and decision-making skills can actually be trained. With NHL Sense Arena , kids can get extra game-like reps at home, working on hockey IQ, reactions, real stick-handling for skaters, while goalies can train reads and tracking. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at http://hockey.sensearena.com/okph Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know! Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow! Follow Us On Social Media: Facebook Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

🏒 What if the college hockey program recruiting your child isn’t actually the best college for them? For many hockey families, playing at the college level can feel like the ultimate finish line after years of practices, travel, tournaments, showcases, sacrifices, and expenses. But when that opportunity finally arrives, another question becomes even more important: Is this really the right place for my student-athlete? In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey , Lee Elias, Christie Casciano-Burns, and Mike Bonelli are joined by Kiersten Sires, Founder and CEO of 2aDays , to unpack what families should really be thinking about during the college recruiting process. And one of the biggest lessons? Don’t let “D1 or bust” thinking—or your ego—make the decision for you. Kiersten explains why choosing a college should go far beyond the logo on the jersey. Families need to consider academics, potential majors, location, finances, coaching style, team culture, expected role, institutional stability, and one powerful question: If hockey disappeared tomorrow, would your child still want to attend that school? 🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn: 🏒 Why Division I isn’t automatically the “best” college hockey opportunity 🎓 Why academics and career preparation need to remain central to the decision 🔍 How families can research programs before the recruiting process heats up 👀 What coaches notice about players—and their parents—away from the puck 🤝 Why body language, character, communication, and self-advocacy can separate recruits 📱 How social media, streaming, and a player’s digital footprint have changed recruiting 💰 Why families shouldn’t automatically dismiss Division III or ACHA opportunities 🏫 How to evaluate coaching culture, roster turnover, facilities, campus life, and even the financial health of a school ✍️ Why personal communication with coaches matters more than copy-and-paste recruiting messages 🧭 How 2aDays helps student-athletes and families research coaches, programs, schools, and the overall college experience Kiersten also shares why parents need to understand something coaches already know: people talk. The way a player treats teammates, responds to adversity, communicates with adults, and carries themselves matters. And yes—the way parents behave in the stands can matter too. This conversation isn’t only for families actively being recruited. The habits that create recruitable student-athletes—communication, accountability, academics, independence, character, and self-advocacy—start years before the first college coach ever calls. Whether your player dreams of NCAA Division I, Division III, ACHA hockey, or simply wants to understand what opportunities might exist, this episode will help your family approach college recruiting with clearer priorities and better questions. 🎧 Listen now, share this episode with another hockey family navigating the college conversation, and remember: the goal isn’t simply to find a college that wants your player. It’s to find a college where they can grow as a student, athlete, and person. 📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: College Hockey Recruiting Is About More Than Hockey #OurKidsPlayHockey #CollegeHockey #CollegeHockeyRecruiting #HockeyRecruiting #YouthHockey #StudentAthlete #CollegeAthletics #HockeyParents #NCAAHockey #Division3Hockey #ACHAHockey #CollegeRecruiting #2aDays Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Hockey IQ: Scanning the ice, recognizing pressure, anticipating what happens next, making the right decision faster. Research shows these perceptual and decision-making skills can actually be trained. With NHL Sense Arena , kids can get extra game-like reps at home, working on hockey IQ, reactions, real stick-handling for skaters, while goalies can train reads and tracking. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at http://hockey.sensearena.com/okph Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know! Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow! Follow Us On Social Media: Facebook Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

🏒 What does it really mean to “grow the game” of hockey? Is it getting more kids to pick up a stick? Building more elite teams? Selling out professional arenas? Or is the real work making sure that once a young player discovers hockey, they feel like they belong enough to stay? On this episode of Our Girls Play Hockey , Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Olympic gold medalist and PWHL Walter Cup champion Hayley Scamurra dig into what growing hockey actually looks like—from grassroots programs and community outreach to the small choices coaches, parents, organizations, and players can make every day. Inspired by Lee’s recent experience helping introduce hockey to young players in Puerto Rico, the conversation explores why simply putting a stick in a kid’s hands isn’t enough. There needs to be a pathway forward. 🏒 In this episode, we discuss: 🌎 Why hockey can belong anywhere—from traditional rinks to Puerto Rico and beyond 🏒 The difference between expanding elite hockey and truly growing the grassroots game 📈 Why retention matters just as much as recruitment 💰 How cost, equipment, ice access, and early specialization can shrink the game 👧 How coaches can make girls feel like hockey players—not outsiders—on co-ed teams 🤝 Why welcoming a new family at the rink can have a bigger impact than you realize ⭐ How PWHL players and professional athletes inspire new players simply by being visible and accessible 🧒 Why older players helping younger teams can build stronger athletes, better people, and deeper organizational identity ❤️ How fun, belonging, community, and connection keep kids coming back Hayley also shares what she sees when young girls encounter professional women’s hockey up close—including the story of a young player who started hockey after watching the Minnesota Frost play the Ottawa Charge in Raleigh. And the message is simple: you do not need a national platform, professional title, or massive event to grow hockey. A coach can invite younger players onto the ice. An older team can help at a learn-to-play session. A parent can introduce themselves to the new family standing alone at the rink. A player can make sure the new kid gets the pass that leads to their first goal. Those moments matter. 🎯 The challenge: Find one thing you, your team, or your organization can do this season to make hockey more welcoming, accessible, and fun for someone else. And if you can, go watch a PWHL game—live or from home. Let the next generation see what is possible. If this episode gets you thinking, share it with a coach, parent, player, or hockey leader who can help grow the game in their community. 📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Growing Girls Hockey Starts With Something Bigger Than Recruitment Have a story about how you’re growing hockey where you live? Send it to team@ourkidsplayhockey.com and keep the conversation going. #OurGirlsPlayHockey #GirlsHockey #WomensHockey #GrowTheGame #YouthHockey #PWHL #HockeyParents #HockeyCoaches #GirlsInSports #HockeyDevelopment #HockeyCommunity #WomenInSports Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Hockey IQ: Scanning the ice, recognizing pressure, anticipating what happens next, making the right decision faster. Research shows these perceptual and decision-making skills can actually be trained. With NHL Sense Arena , kids can get extra game-like reps at home, working on hockey IQ, reactions, real stick-handling for skaters, while goalies can train reads and tracking. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at http://hockey.sensearena.com/okph Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know! Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow! Follow Us On Social Media: Facebook Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

🏒 Made a bad play? Had a rough shift? Feeling nervous, angry, frustrated, or overwhelmed? Former NHL player Kurtis Gabriel has a message for you: those emotions don’t have to control what happens next. On this episode of The Ride to the Rink , Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli are joined by former NHL player Kurtis Gabriel for a practical conversation about one of the most important parts of becoming a hockey player: learning how to manage your mind when the game gets difficult. Kurtis introduces young players to a simple breathing technique called the psychological sigh —a tool he used during his own playing career when he needed to calm down, reset, and prepare for his next shift. But the conversation goes deeper than breathing. 🧠 How do you recognize what fear feels like in your body? 💪 How can you respond differently when pressure shows up? 🎮 What if understanding your emotions is like unlocking a map in a video game? 🔥 And how much could worrying about what other people think be holding you back? Kurtis encourages players to start “mapping” their emotions—learning what fear, excitement, pressure, and confidence actually feel like physically so they can recognize those feelings when they arrive. Lee also shares a powerful story from his own playing career about feeling so much pressure during a game that his legs suddenly felt like they weighed a thousand pounds. What changed wasn’t the situation—it was his understanding of what the pressure meant. Instead of thinking, I can’t handle this , he learned to recognize: I feel pressure because I care. I feel pressure because this moment matters. How great is it that I get to be in this position? And Kurtis leaves young athletes with another challenge: break out of the “cringe prison.” Don’t let fear of what teammates or friends might think stop you from working on yourself, believing in yourself, or chasing what matters to you. In this episode: 🫁 Learn a simple breathing reset for difficult moments 🧠 Discover how to recognize and “map” your emotions 🏒 Understand why staying even-keeled is a hockey superpower 💭 Reframe pressure instead of running from it 💪 Build confidence without comparing your journey to someone else’s 🔥 Stop allowing other people’s opinions to dictate your effort ❤️ Remember that no matter what happens in hockey, you’re going to be okay Young players: you have more control over your response than you may realize. Like shooting, skating, or stickhandling, managing your emotions is something you can practice . Wherever you are on your hockey journey, believe in your ability to learn, grow, reset, and attack the next shift. Skate hard. Have fun. Go learn something. 📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: How Young Hockey Players Can Reset, Handle Pressure, and Believe in Themselves with Kurtis Gabriel #TheRideToTheRink #YouthHockey #HockeyMindset #KurtisGabriel #MentalToughness #HockeyConfidence #HockeyDevelopment #YouthSports #HockeyParents #MentalPerformance #HockeyPlayers #OurKidsPlayHockey Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Hockey IQ: Scanning the ice, recognizing pressure, anticipating what happens next, making the right decision faster. Research shows these perceptual and decision-making skills can actually be trained. With NHL Sense Arena , kids can get extra game-like reps at home, working on hockey IQ, reactions, real stick-handling for skaters, while goalies can train reads and tracking. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at http://hockey.sensearena.com/okph Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know! Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow! Follow Us On Social Media: Facebook Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

🏒 What happens when a player’s belief is strong enough to take him all the way to the NHL—but his identity becomes so tied to hockey that he has to rediscover who he is when the game ends? Former NHL player Kurtis Gabriel joins Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli for a powerful conversation about chasing impossible dreams, being overlooked, finding your role, handling pressure, and learning that hockey can be an incredible part of your life without becoming your entire sense of worth. Kurtis wasn’t a highly touted prospect. He played AA hockey, considered hanging up his skates, was passed over in the NHL Draft, and still developed an unwavering conviction that he would eventually play in the NHL. What followed was a remarkable journey built on work ethic, sacrifice, resilience, and what Kurtis describes as something even stronger than belief: knowing . But reaching the NHL is only part of his story. Kurtis opens up about how deeply his identity and self-worth became connected to being a hockey player, the struggles he faced after retiring earlier than expected, and why his journey inward has changed the way he now looks at hockey, parenting, coaching, success, and happiness. 🔥 In this episode, you’ll hear: Why Kurtis believes young players should be allowed to dream as big as possible How a AA player went from nearly quitting hockey to eventually reaching the NHL Why parents shouldn’t have to manufacture motivation for their kids The difference between supporting a player’s passion and making hockey their identity Why your child needs home to remain a safe landing place after difficult games How parents can model the behaviors and values they want their children to develop Why process, presence, and self-awareness can matter more than obsessing over outcomes How meditation and recognizing emotions can help athletes respond to mistakes and pressure Why Kurtis believes happiness and fulfillment cannot ultimately come from hockey—or anything outside yourself What he learned from reconnecting with former NHL opponents through The Fight Plan Podcast One of the biggest reminders from this conversation is one we return to often on Our Kids Play Hockey: The return on youth hockey isn’t a scholarship, a roster spot, or even the NHL. It’s the person your child becomes through the experience. Let them dream. Let them work. Let them stumble. And when they come home from the rink, make sure they know that their performance never determines their value to you. 🎧 Listen now for an honest, vulnerable conversation every hockey parent, player, and coach should hear. 📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Your Child Is More Than a Hockey Player: What Kurtis Gabriel’s NHL Journey Can Teach Hockey Families And be sure to follow Kurtis Gabriel and check out The Fight Plan Podcast , where he continues exploring the fights athletes face on the ice—and the much bigger fights all of us face in life. #OurKidsPlayHockey #KurtisGabriel #YouthHockey #HockeyParents #HockeyDevelopment #HockeyMindset #MentalPerformance #AthleteIdentity #YouthSports #HockeyLife #NHL #SportsParenting Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Hockey IQ: Scanning the ice, recognizing pressure, anticipating what happens next, making the right decision faster. Research shows these perceptual and decision-making skills can actually be trained. With NHL Sense Arena , kids can get extra game-like reps at home, working on hockey IQ, reactions, real stick-handling for skaters, while goalies can train reads and tracking. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at http://hockey.sensearena.com/okph Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know! Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow! Follow Us On Social Media: Facebook Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

🏒 What if confidence isn’t something a coach, parent, teammate, or scoreboard can give you—or take away from you? Olympic gold medalist and Walter Cup champion Hayley Scamurra joins the conversation for a powerful look at one of the most important—and misunderstood—parts of being an athlete: building confidence from within. Even at the highest levels of hockey, doubt doesn’t disappear. Hayley opens up about seeking approval from coaches and parents as a young player, struggling with public speaking, learning to trust her own assessment of her game, and discovering that confidence isn’t about never making mistakes. In many ways, it’s built because of them. The conversation also explores the experience of girls in hockey , including the pressure many young female athletes feel to be perfect, follow every instruction exactly, and avoid mistakes. Hayley explains why giving girls permission to experiment, create, fail, and learn can be critical to developing both confidence and long-term success. 🔥 In this episode: Why external validation can make confidence fragile How athletes can reset after a bad play or mistake The power of asking, “Are you proud of yourself?” Why coaches and parents should help athletes evaluate their own performance How mistakes can become evidence that an athlete is growing Why girls may feel extra pressure to be perfect How coaches can create environments where young female players feel safe being creative Why comparing your everyday game to someone else’s social-media highlights can destroy confidence How even Olympic champions still whiff pucks, get nervous, and have imperfect practices Why real confidence is less about praise and more about learning: “I can figure this out.” For parents and coaches, this episode is an important reminder: our job isn’t to manufacture confidence for young athletes. It’s to create the conditions where they can discover it for themselves . 📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: How Girls Hockey Players Can Build Real Confidence: Lessons From Hayley Scamurra 🎧 Listen, share this episode with a hockey parent, coach, or young player who needs the reminder, and subscribe to Our Girls Play Hockey for more conversations supporting girls at every stage of the game. #OurGirlsPlayHockey #GirlsHockey #WomensHockey #HayleyScamurra #HockeyConfidence #YouthHockey #FemaleAthletes #HockeyParents #HockeyCoaches #MentalPerformance #AthleteMindset #GirlsInSports Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Hockey IQ: Scanning the ice, recognizing pressure, anticipating what happens next, making the right decision faster. Research shows these perceptual and decision-making skills can actually be trained. With NHL Sense Arena , kids can get extra game-like reps at home, working on hockey IQ, reactions, real stick-handling for skaters, while goalies can train reads and tracking. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at http://hockey.sensearena.com/okph Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know! Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow! Follow Us On Social Media: Facebook Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

🏒 Do you know what your skates are telling you when something just doesn’t feel right on the ice? Your stick gets a lot of attention. Your gloves are fun to pick out. But when it comes to actually moving, stopping, turning, and competing on the ice, everything starts with your skates. On this episode of The Ride To The Rink , Lee Elias and Christie Casciano Burns are joined by Russ Layton, founder and CEO of Sparx Hockey , for a quick, practical lesson every young hockey player should hear: how to understand and take better care of your skate blades. Russ explains why players—not just their parents—need to recognize when an edge feels wrong and speak up after a practice or game. He also walks through his complete pre- and post-skate care routine, from drying skates and removing footbeds to protecting blades with soakers and checking edges before heading back onto the ice. You’ll also get a crash course on skate hollow and why the amount of grip or glide you feel can change depending on your sharpening setup. 🔥 In this ride, young players will learn: 🏒 How to recognize when a skate edge may be damaged or dull 🗣️ Why telling your parents how your skates feel is part of being responsible for your equipment 💧 Why completely drying your skates after every session matters 🛡️ How skate soakers help protect your blades around the locker room ⚙️ What a skate sharpening “hollow” actually means 💨 The difference between more grip and more glide 📈 Why understanding your skates can improve consistency and confidence 📱 How Sparx Hockey’s Hollow Finder can help players explore sharpening options The biggest takeaway? Your edges are the foundation of your skating. If you can’t trust them when you turn, stop, accelerate, or change direction, the rest of your equipment can only do so much. Spend a little time learning how your blades work, take care of them, and start becoming an active participant in your own hockey equipment decisions. And wherever you are on your hockey journey, remember: we believe in you. You should too. 📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Why Every Young Hockey Player Should Understand Skate Sharpening #YouthHockey #HockeySkates #SkateSharpening #HockeyTips #HockeyPlayers #SparxHockey #HockeyEquipment #HockeyDevelopment #SkatingSkills #TheRideToTheRink Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Hockey IQ: Scanning the ice, recognizing pressure, anticipating what happens next, making the right decision faster. Research shows these perceptual and decision-making skills can actually be trained. With NHL Sense Arena , kids can get extra game-like reps at home, working on hockey IQ, reactions, real stick-handling for skaters, while goalies can train reads and tracking. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at http://hockey.sensearena.com/okph Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know! Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow! Follow Us On Social Media: Facebook Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

🏒 Your player knows their stick flex, curve, and favorite tape job—but do they know what’s happening underneath their skates? Skate sharpening may be one of the most overlooked parts of youth hockey, yet the condition of a player’s edges can directly affect their confidence, turning, stopping, acceleration, and overall feel on the ice. In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey , Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Christie Casciano-Burns welcome Russ Layton, Founder & CEO of Sparx Hockey , for a deep dive into everything hockey families need to understand about skate sharpening. And one of the biggest lessons might surprise you: there is no magic number of hours between sharpenings. Russ explains why an edge can be lost before a player even touches the ice, how parents can recognize a damaged edge, what “hollow” actually means, and why consistency matters much more than simply waiting until skates “feel dull.” 🔥 In this episode, you’ll learn: 🏒 Why skate edges usually don’t gradually dull the way many parents think 🔍 How to perform the simple “fingernail test” on a skate blade ⚙️ What skate hollow means and how it affects grip vs. glide 📏 Why 1/2" may be a starting point—but not necessarily the perfect hollow for every player 🚀 How flatter hollows can reduce resistance while deeper hollows create more bite 🧠 Why younger players may not recognize when they’ve lost an edge 🔄 How removable steel has changed tournament preparation 🧳 Why carrying multiple sharpened sets of steel can save a hockey weekend 🥅 How player preference, skating style, position, strength, and body size can affect sharpening choices ❄️ How ice conditions can change how a player's edges feel 🧼 Why drying blades, removing footbeds, and properly storing skates matters 💡 Why reliable, consistent edges should come before expensive equipment upgrades 🏠 How at-home skate sharpening can change convenience and consistency for hockey families Perhaps most importantly, Russ and the crew remind parents that skate sharpening isn’t a shortcut to becoming a better player. Kids still have to learn how to skate. But giving them dependable edges provides the foundation they need to actually use the skills they’re developing. Whether your child is just learning to skate, traveling every weekend for tournaments, playing goalie, or beginning to experiment with different hollows and steel, this conversation will help your family make much more informed decisions about one of hockey’s most important pieces of equipment. 📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Are Your Kid’s Skates Holding Them Back? What Hockey Families Need to Know About Skate Sharpening 🎧 Listen now, check those edges, and make sure your player isn't stepping onto the ice with their most important performance tool working against them. Have a hockey question for the crew? Reach out to Our Kids Play Hockey and keep the conversation going. #OurKidsPlayHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyParents #SkateSharpening #SparxHockey #HockeySkates #HockeyEquipment #HockeyTips #YouthHockeyParents #HockeyDevelopment Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Hockey IQ: Scanning the ice, recognizing pressure, anticipating what happens next, making the right decision faster. Research shows these perceptual and decision-making skills can actually be trained. With NHL Sense Arena , kids can get extra game-like reps at home, working on hockey IQ, reactions, real stick-handling for skaters, while goalies can train reads and tracking. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at http://hockey.sensearena.com/okph Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know! Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow! Follow Us On Social Media: Facebook Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

🏒 What if one of the best things a young hockey player can do for her game is… step away from it? In a sport where players constantly hear messages about working harder, training more, and never taking a day off, knowing when to rest, reset, and simply be a kid can feel almost counterintuitive. In this episode of Our Girls Play Hockey , Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Olympic gold medalist and Walter Cup champion Hayley Scamurra explore the best things they’ve done away from the rink—and why those experiences may have helped them just as much as another practice ever could. Hayley shares memories of summers at the lake, playing soccer and tennis, spending time with family, puzzling, hiking, and learning throughout her career that it really is okay to rest . She also explains how she now balances elite-level offseason training with travel, relationships, recovery, and the flexibility required when life changes the plan. And yes… there’s also a middle-school dance story involving hockey practice and hands that still smelled like hockey gloves. 😅 ✨ In this episode, we discuss: 🧠 Why mentally disconnecting from hockey can actually help athletes come back more motivated 🏒 The difference between taking a random day off and intentionally planning recovery 🌊 How some of Hayley’s favorite childhood memories had nothing to do with hockey ⚽ Why other sports, hobbies, friendships, and free play matter for young athletes 📅 How elite athletes build routines without becoming prisoners of their schedules 🔄 Why adaptability is a critical skill when training plans change 💪 How strong habits allow athletes to take a break without fearing they’ll “lose everything” 👨‍👩‍👧 Why parents should think carefully before turning every free moment into another development opportunity 🌳 The importance of letting kids play outside simply because it’s fun ❤️ Why who you are away from hockey matters more than any trophy, title, or stat One of the biggest messages from Hayley is one every young player should hear: Not everything you do has to make you better at your sport. Sometimes you should do something simply because you enjoy it. For hockey parents, this episode is an important reminder that development isn’t just about accumulating ice time. Your daughter is developing when she makes friends, learns another sport, spends time outside, reads a book, explores a hobby, rests her body, or discovers something she loves that has absolutely nothing to do with hockey. And sometimes stepping away is exactly what allows a player to realize just how much she misses the game. 📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Why Time Away From Hockey Can Help Girls Become Better Athletes—and Happier People 🎧 Listen together with your player and ask this question afterward: What’s something you love doing that has nothing to do with hockey? Because great hockey players need recovery—but great people also need room to discover who they are beyond the rink. #OurGirlsPlayHockey #GirlsHockey #WomensHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyParents #HockeyDevelopment #AthleteRecovery #YouthSports #HockeyMindset #HayleyScamurra Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Hockey IQ: Scanning the ice, recognizing pressure, anticipating what happens next, making the right decision faster. Research shows these perceptual and decision-making skills can actually be trained. With NHL Sense Arena , kids can get extra game-like reps at home, working on hockey IQ, reactions, real stick-handling for skaters, while goalies can train reads and tracking. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at http://hockey.sensearena.com/okph Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know! Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow! Follow Us On Social Media: Facebook Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

🏒 Ever wonder who makes sure your tournaments are booked, your hotel is ready, your ice time is scheduled, and your team actually knows where it needs to be? There’s a good chance your team manager had something to do with it. On this episode of The Ride to the Rink , Lee, Mike, Christie, and special guest **Christine—an experienced youth hockey team manager who has managed multiple high-level teams—**take young players behind the scenes of one of the most important jobs on a hockey team. And kids, your manager does a lot more than send schedules to your parents. From booking hotels and tournaments to organizing meals, team bonding, practices, music, and even the occasional knee-hockey opportunity, managers spend countless hours trying to give players the best season possible. 🎧 In this ride, you’ll hear: 🏨 What a youth hockey team manager actually does 💬 Why players should feel comfortable bringing ideas to their manager 🎵 How players can help shape team traditions, music, and off-ice fun 🤝 When a manager can be another trusted adult to talk to ⏰ Why the early game time or imperfect hotel probably isn’t your manager’s fault 🙌 How a simple “thank you” can mean more than players realize ⚡ The story behind Christine’s unforgettable Thunderstruck team entrance Christine also shares an important reminder: your season won’t always be perfect. Sometimes schedules, tournament times, hotels, and other details are outside your manager’s control. Behind the scenes, though, they’re usually working hard to make things better for every player and family. So the next time you see your team manager at the rink, don’t just walk past them. Say hello. Share an idea. Ask a question. And every once in a while, tell them thank you. Because being a great hockey player isn’t only about how you treat your teammates and coaches. It’s also about respecting the people who make it possible for your team to have an amazing season. 📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: The Unsung Hero of Your Hockey Season: Why Your Team Manager Matters 🏒 Wherever you are on your hockey journey, we believe in you. You should, too. This episode is powered by NHL Sense Arena. #TheRideToTheRink #YouthHockey #HockeyKids #HockeyParents #YouthHockeyPlayers #HockeyTeamManager #HockeyLife #HockeyTeam #YouthSports #HockeyFamily #Teamwork #Sportsmanship Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Hockey IQ: Scanning the ice, recognizing pressure, anticipating what happens next, making the right decision faster. Research shows these perceptual and decision-making skills can actually be trained. With NHL Sense Arena , kids can get extra game-like reps at home, working on hockey IQ, reactions, real stick-handling for skaters, while goalies can train reads and tracking. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at http://hockey.sensearena.com/okph Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know! Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow! Follow Us On Social Media: Facebook Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

🏒 What happens when you’re “voluntold” to become the team manager—and suddenly an entire hockey season feels like it’s resting on your shoulders? Every successful youth hockey team has players, coaches, and supportive parents. But behind the scenes, there’s often one person keeping the schedules organized, hotels booked, families informed, problems solved, and team culture moving in the right direction: the team manager . In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey , Lee Elias, Christie Casciano-Burns, and Mike Bonelli are joined by Christine O’Brien , who recently managed the Connecticut Junior Rangers at the BRICK Tournament and brings firsthand experience managing the countless details that go into creating a great youth hockey experience. And as Christine explains, great team management is about much more than sending emails and booking hotel rooms. 🏒 In this episode, you’ll hear about: 📅 How managers can organize schedules, travel, hotels, tournaments, and constant last-minute changes 🤝 Why trust between the manager and coaching staff is essential 📱 How to communicate effectively without overwhelming families 🙋 Why the best managers delegate instead of trying to do everything themselves 🧱 What Christine learned managing at the high-pressure BRICK Tournament 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 How team meals, activities, and simple off-ice moments can create stronger relationships 💰 Why managers need to remain conscious of the different financial realities within a team 🚫 How to avoid becoming the middleman for parent complaints about coaching decisions 🏒 Why protecting the coaches’ ability to coach is one of a manager’s most valuable contributions ❤️ How managers can help make sure kids are still allowed to be kids , even in highly competitive hockey environments Christine also shares practical ideas for delegating jobs like timekeeping, music, team parties, swag, reservations, and other responsibilities that can quickly overwhelm one person. Whether you’re already managing a team, considering raising your hand, or staring at your phone wondering why the coach just asked you to do it, this conversation is packed with practical advice for making the season more organized, inclusive, and enjoyable. 📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: The Unsung MVP of Youth Hockey: What Great Team Managers Do Differently 🎧 Listen now—and if your team has an incredible manager, send them this episode and make sure they know how much their work matters. Because great managers don’t just keep a team organized. They help create the experience families and players remember long after the season ends. #OurKidsPlayHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyParents #TeamManager #YouthHockeyManager #HockeyCoach #HockeyFamily #YouthSports #HockeyCulture #BRICKTournament Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Hockey IQ: Scanning the ice, recognizing pressure, anticipating what happens next, making the right decision faster. Research shows these perceptual and decision-making skills can actually be trained. With NHL Sense Arena , kids can get extra game-like reps at home, working on hockey IQ, reactions, real stick-handling for skaters, while goalies can train reads and tracking. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at http://hockey.sensearena.com/okph Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know! Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow! Follow Us On Social Media: Facebook Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

🏒 What separates a practice that simply fills an hour from one that actually makes players better? Great practices don’t happen by accident. They’re intentional, connected to the game, and designed around what players truly need to improve. On this episode of Our Girls Play Hockey , Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Olympic gold medalist Hayley Scamurra are joined by Chris Howard of Ice Hockey Systems for a deep dive into what makes hockey practices effective—from youth hockey all the way to the professional level. Chris shares how coaches can move beyond simply collecting drills and instead build practices around clear objectives, meaningful competition, player development, and connection to real game situations. And this conversation isn’t just for coaches. Players will learn how to become more intentional with every repetition. Parents will hear what they should actually be watching for from the stands. And coaches will walk away with practical ideas for maximizing every precious minute of ice time. 🔥 In this episode, we discuss: 🏒 Why every practice should begin with a clear objective 🎯 Why two or three teaching points may be more effective than trying to fix everything at once 🔄 How great coaches build progressions instead of constantly chasing new drills ⚡ Why starting practice with competition can immediately increase engagement 🧠 How drills should connect skills and decisions to real game situations 🎮 The role of small-area games, constraints, repetition, and “controlled chaos” 📋 Why coaches should arrive prepared—but still be willing to change the plan 👥 How assistant coaches can help maximize teaching and player connection 💪 How players can make every repetition different and practice with greater intention 🙌 Why creating an environment where players are comfortable failing can accelerate development 👀 What parents should actually look for when evaluating a practice ❤️ Why a player’s excitement to go to the rink may tell you more than anything you see from the stands 🖥️ How Ice Hockey Systems helps coaches organize practices, share drills, use video, and continue their own coaching education One of the biggest takeaways? A drill isn’t valuable simply because it looks good. It’s valuable when it connects to what players need in the game. Whether you’re coaching a girls hockey team, supporting your daughter from the stands, or trying to become a more intentional player yourself, this episode will change the way you think about practice. 📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: How to Build Better Hockey Practices: Chris Howard of Ice Hockey Systems on Player Development 🎧 Listen now, share it with the coaches and hockey families in your community, and ask yourself: Are we simply running drills—or are we developing hockey players? Have a question or want to continue the conversation? Reach the Our Kids Play Hockey team at team@ourkidsplayhockey.com . #OurGirlsPlayHockey #GirlsHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyDevelopment #HockeyPractice #HockeyCoaching #PlayerDevelopment #HockeyParents #WomensHockey #IceHockeySystems #HockeySkills #YouthSports Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Hockey IQ: Scanning the ice, recognizing pressure, anticipating what happens next, making the right decision faster. Research shows these perceptual and decision-making skills can actually be trained. With NHL Sense Arena , kids can get extra game-like reps at home, working on hockey IQ, reactions, real stick-handling for skaters, while goalies can train reads and tracking. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at http://hockey.sensearena.com/okph Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know! Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow! Follow Us On Social Media: Facebook Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

🏒 What is one habit you could commit to today that would make you a better hockey player tomorrow? In this episode of The Ride to the Rink , Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli explain why setting personal standards can change the direction of your hockey journey—both on and off the ice. Standards are the non-negotiable habits and expectations that guide how you prepare, compete, recover, study, and support your teammates. They might include arriving at the rink early, packing your equipment the night before, eating properly, completing your schoolwork, or committing to your best possible effort every time you step onto the ice. The key is not trying to change everything at once. Lee and Mike encourage young players to begin with one realistic standard , practice it consistently, and add more only after that first habit becomes part of who they are. In this episode, you’ll learn: 🏒 Why standards matter more than perfection ⏰ How arriving early can improve your preparation 💪 Why effort, recovery, nutrition, and sleep belong in your hockey routine 🎒 How preparing your gear the night before reduces stress 📚 Why good academic habits matter as players get older 🤝 How to align your personal standards with your coach’s expectations 📵 Why players should think carefully about screen use before games 🌱 How small, consistent habits can build long-term confidence and success Whether you are six, sixteen, or simply supporting a young athlete, this episode offers a practical reminder: success does not begin with fifty new rules. It begins with one commitment you are willing to keep. 📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: The One Standard That Can Change a Young Hockey Player’s Journey Your challenge: Choose one standard, write it down, and start practicing it today. Then talk with a parent or coach about what you can build next. This episode is powered by NHL Sense Arena . No matter where you are in your hockey journey, remember: we believe in you—and you should believe in yourself, too. #YouthHockey #HockeyDevelopment #HockeyMindset #YoungAthletes #HockeyHabits #PlayerDevelopment #HockeyParents #HockeyCoaching #MentalPerformance #TheRideToTheRink Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Hockey IQ: Scanning the ice, recognizing pressure, anticipating what happens next, making the right decision faster. Research shows these perceptual and decision-making skills can actually be trained. With NHL Sense Arena , kids can get extra game-like reps at home, working on hockey IQ, reactions, real stick-handling for skaters, while goalies can train reads and tracking. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at http://hockey.sensearena.com/okph Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know! Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow! Follow Us On Social Media: Facebook Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

🏒 When a young hockey player misbehaves, who is responsible—the coach, the parent, or the entire team community? Coaches are often told to “control their kids,” but the truth is more complicated: coaches can guide, mentor, manage, and establish standards, but they are not replacements for parents. In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey , Mike Bonelli and Lee Elias explore where coaching responsibilities begin, where they end, and why successful youth hockey environments require parents, coaches, officials, and players to work together. They discuss how clear expectations around punctuality, preparation, locker-room behavior, respect, academics, travel, and team conduct can help young athletes develop far beyond the scoreboard. 🎧 In this episode, you’ll hear: 🕒 Why coaches should establish expectations early in the season 🏒 The difference between coaching a player and parenting a child 🤝 How parents can reinforce team standards without surrendering their role 🧭 Why a coach should be viewed as a guide, mentor, and manager 🚨 When coaches should intervene—and when a situation belongs to the parent 🏨 Who is responsible for behavior at hotels, restaurants, tournaments, and the rink 🗣️ How officials can become part of the teaching process through communication 🧹 Why character is often revealed when no one appears to be watching 🏆 How teams can define winning through development, preparation, and growth 📈 Why strong standards often lead to more enjoyable and successful seasons The biggest takeaway is simple: youth hockey works best when everyone understands their role. Coaches must communicate and consistently enforce meaningful standards. Parents must support those expectations and continue teaching responsibility away from the rink. Players must gradually learn to take ownership of their preparation, behavior, and decisions. When those pieces work together, hockey becomes more than a game—it becomes an environment where young people learn accountability, respect, resilience, and character. 📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Coaches Aren’t Parents: Understanding Responsibility in Youth Hockey What standards have made the biggest difference for your child’s team? Email team@ourkidsplayhockey.com or use the text link accompanying this episode to join the conversation. This episode is powered by NHL Sense Arena . #OurKidsPlayHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyParents #HockeyCoaching #YouthSports #HockeyDevelopment #TeamCulture #SportsParenting #PlayerDevelopment #HockeyLife Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Hockey IQ: Scanning the ice, recognizing pressure, anticipating what happens next, making the right decision faster. Research shows these perceptual and decision-making skills can actually be trained. With NHL Sense Arena , kids can get extra game-like reps at home, working on hockey IQ, reactions, real stick-handling for skaters, while goalies can train reads and tracking. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at http://hockey.sensearena.com/okph Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know! Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow! Follow Us On Social Media: Facebook Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

🏒 Not getting enough ice time? Before blaming the coach, it may be time to ask a better question: What can I do to earn more trust? In this episode of Our Girls Play Hockey , Lee Elias and Olympic gold medalist and Walter Cup champion Hayley Scamurra tackle one of the most emotional—and often misunderstood—topics in youth hockey: ICE TIME . Players naturally want to be on the ice. Parents want to see their children get opportunities. Coaches want to put their teams in the best position to succeed. But when frustration takes over, players can begin focusing on what they cannot control instead of recognizing the actions that may help them earn their next shift. Hayley explains why effort, attitude, awareness, and being a supportive teammate can influence a coach’s trust far more than sulking on the bench or obsessing over points. She also shares how shifting her own focus away from scoring helped her enjoy the game again, contribute more consistently, and ultimately reach new heights in her professional and international career. 🔥 In this episode, Lee and Hayley discuss: Why players sometimes receive more ice time than they realize The difference between asking for ice time and asking how to improve How body language and attitude affect a coach’s decisions Why players must stay engaged even while sitting on the bench How simple, dependable plays build trust Why risky moves at the blue line can quickly reduce opportunities The danger of measuring a player’s value only through goals and points How coaches can communicate roles honestly and constructively Why younger players should receive meaningful development opportunities How parents can help players advocate for themselves The importance of controlling effort, attitude, preparation, and response One of the biggest lessons from the conversation is that earning ice time is not always about making the flashiest play. It may mean blocking a shot, clearing the defensive zone, supporting a teammate, protecting the front of the net, making the safe play at the blue line, or bringing energy to the bench. For parents, this episode is also an important reminder to pause before immediately blaming the coach. Encourage your player to approach the situation with curiosity, accountability, and a willingness to hear constructive feedback. For coaches, the message is equally clear: communicate honestly, recognize more than offensive production, and follow through when players make the improvements you asked them to make. 📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Not Getting Enough Ice Time? Focus on What You Can Control 🎧 Listen now for a thoughtful, honest conversation that can help players, parents, and coaches navigate ice-time frustrations while keeping development—and the team—at the center of the game. #OurGirlsPlayHockey #GirlsHockey #WomensHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyParents #HockeyCoaching #IceTime #PlayerDevelopment #HockeyMindset #HockeyLeadership #TeamFirst #HayleyScamurra Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Hockey IQ: Scanning the ice, recognizing pressure, anticipating what happens next, making the right decision faster. Research shows these perceptual and decision-making skills can actually be trained. With NHL Sense Arena , kids can get extra game-like reps at home, working on hockey IQ, reactions, real stick-handling for skaters, while goalies can train reads and tracking. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at http://hockey.sensearena.com/okph Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know! Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow! Follow Us On Social Media: Facebook Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube