Pucked Up Parents - Youth Hockey

Michael and Angela kick things off with a quick trip through This Week in Youth Hockey , including the college kids’ media day and their shiny new hockey jerseys. Meanwhile, the 12-year-old officially begins full-time practices for the new season—which apparently means missing one already because Mom and Dad have tickets to see Third Eye Blind. Priorities. Then we fire up the Pucked Up Parents Time Machine and head back to 2013, when Michael and Angela were wide-eyed, inexperienced hockey parents with absolutely no idea what they had signed up for. What would our 2026 selves tell those rookie versions of ourselves before embarking on the next 13 years of hockey? Would we warn them about the cost? The endless miles? The tournaments, hotels, equipment, early mornings and general insanity that comes with raising a hockey player? Would we tell them to enjoy it more, stress less, or simply buy stock in hockey tape? Michael also climbs back onto his favorite soapbox to once again rail against the lack of local media coverage for youth hockey , because apparently 13 years of experience has not made him any less salty. And finally, we look at how getting involved in hockey can evolve over the years—from coaching and volunteering to the ultimate leap: actually strapping on the skates and getting out on the ice yourself. It’s a look back at where we started, what we know now, and all the things we wish someone had told us before we became hockey parents.

Michael & Angela kick things off with their usual “This Week in Youth Hockey” , where Angela shares the highlights from the 12-year-old’s Welcome Back to Hockey parent meeting. The message from the hockey "powers that be" is pretty simple: parents, don’t be aholes this season. With the 2026/2027 hockey schedules finally coming together, it’s almost time to officially unleash ourselves back onto the rinks. Then it’s time to go WAY back. This episode tackles the history of hockey , tracing the game from its earliest roots in games like shinty to the organized sport we know today. Michael and Angela explore the days of homemade equipment, questionable hockey surfaces and even some truly disgusting early attempts at creating something resembling a puck—including the use of frozen cow dung. Yep. Hockey has come a long way. They look at the evolution of hockey organizations, including the rise of the NHL and USA Hockey , while also examining how the equipment has transformed over the decades. Skates go from simple strap-on blades to today's highly engineered, 3D-customized footwear. Sticks, protective equipment and pucks have all undergone their own incredible evolution as well. And naturally, Michael decides that 150 years of hockey history is the perfect opportunity to unleash dad jokes , much to Angela's increasing dismay. From shintys and cow pies to custom skates and modern hockey organizations, Michael and Angela attempt to cover roughly 150 years of hockey history in about an hour —because apparently that's all the attention span a hockey parent can spare. It’s history. It’s hockey. It’s educational. And unfortunately, there are dad jokes.

In this quick-hit episode, Michael and Angela tackle something every youth hockey parent will experience : your kid’s team either gets their ass handed to them—or they’re the ones doing the handing out. They break down what happens when a game gets ugly, from how players respond to how coaches manage a blowout and how the opposing team may react. They also talk about the parent side of things, including knowing when to chill out after goal #13 , keeping celebrations in check, and showing some class when the game is clearly out of hand. Whether your team is getting smoked or lighting up the scoreboard, Michael and Angela discuss how parents can handle the situation, support their kids, and most importantly, know how to act when the game gets ugly —including what to say (and what not to say) after the final buzzer

The 2026/2027 hockey season is right around the corner—which means it’s time for hockey parents to get their lives, schedules, and sanity ready for another year of chaos! In this episode, Michael and Angela break down the preseason checklist for hockey parents : meeting the new players, parents and coaches, figuring out the practice and game schedule, planning around traffic, school, work and all the other commitments that somehow don’t care about hockey. Then it’s time for the gear check . What survived last season? What’s destroyed? What suddenly doesn’t fit? And what new team gear, custom equipment and hockey swag does your player absolutely “need”? From schedule juggling to equipment shopping, this is your official warning: hockey season is coming. Get prepared, get organized, and buckle up—because the chaos is about to begin.

Season 2 of Pucked Up Parents is here and to celebrate, Michael & Angela sit down with Rachel Steffen of the USA Women's National Sled Hockey Team for an inspiring and entertaining conversation about one of hockey's fastest-growing disciplines. Rachel shares her sled hockey journey—from discovering the sport and playing with the Cincinnati IceBreakers to earning a spot on Team USA. Along the way, they break down the equipment, rules, and gameplay, explaining what makes sled hockey unique while highlighting just how much it has in common with the stand-up game we all love. Whether you're a parent looking for a new opportunity for your child, a player interested in trying sled hockey, or a lifelong hockey fan curious about this incredible version of the sport, this episode is packed with insight, laughs, and a newfound appreciation for the athletes who continue to grow the game.

It may be summer, but class is officially in session! In this episode of Pucked Up Parents , Michael and Angela tackle Hockey Math —and trust us, it's not the kind you learned in school. From the science behind the game, including rink dimensions, shooting angles, puck velocity, and the geometry of the perfect pass, to the advanced calculations every hockey parent somehow becomes an expert in, they break down the numbers that make youth hockey possible. Learn how parents solve impossible equations like getting to a 6:00 AM game on time, stretching the family budget to afford another season, dividing weekends between multiple kids' schedules, and estimating exactly how much a road trip tournament is really going to cost (spoiler: it's always more than you think). Whether you're calculating shooting percentages or the odds of leaving the house without forgetting a piece of equipment, this episode proves that hockey parents deserve honorary math degrees. Grab a pencil, sharpen your skates, and prepare to laugh—because in youth hockey, the numbers never lie... but the budget definitely does.

On this episode, Michael and Angela dive into the ever-evolving world of Youth Hockey Style . They take a trip down memory lane, from the days when kids showed up to the rink in cartoon pajamas, mismatched clothes, and bed head… to the teenage years when it’s all about arriving in suits, sunglasses, headphones, and gold chains looking like they are heading to the NHL Draft. The conversation covers every stage of hockey drip—from picking the perfect jersey number and customizing helmets to rocking colored skate laces, tinted visors, cages with "hang", and the latest trends. Of course, Michael and Angela also talk about the parent side of it all: surviving the mullet phase, becoming the designated gear carrier, loaning out Dad’s suit and accepting that somehow your child now has stronger opinions about fashion than you do and it makes you feel 100 years old Whether your hockey player still wears superhero pajamas to early morning practices or spends more time planning their pregame outfit than taping their stick, this episode celebrates the fun, funny, and sometimes expensive evolution of youth hockey style

From broken wrists and separated shoulders to the classic hockey smile after a puck knocks out a tooth, Michael and Angela dive into the painful reality of youth hockey injuries. They share stories about the bumps, bruises, and bigger setbacks that come with the game, while also discussing the illnesses that can sweep through a team—forcing players into unfamiliar positions, leaving benches short, or even causing games to be forfeited. The conversation covers the importance of properly fitted protective equipment, recognizing when an injury is more serious than "just shake it off," and what parents should do when their young athlete gets hurt. Whether you're dealing with a sprained ankle, a stomach bug making its way through the locker room, or your first trip to the ER after a game, this episode mixes practical advice with the humor that every hockey parent needs to survive another season.

In this episode of Pucked Up Parents , Michael and Angela sit down with Chris Holmes—a hockey dad, goalie dad, youth hockey coach, and the founder of Buffalo's Queen City Hockey Expo . Chris shares his journey into the hockey world, how his child unexpectedly became a goalie, and what inspired him to step behind the bench as a youth coach. The conversation then shifts to a large hockey community off-ice event y as Chris tells the story behind the creation of the Queen City Hockey Expo. He explains how the idea came together, the challenges of building the event from the ground up, and what families, players, coaches, and hockey fans can expect when they attend this year's Expo on August 9, 2026 . Whether you're looking for the latest gear, training resources, hockey connections, or just another excuse to spend a day surrounded by the game, this episode gives listeners an inside look at one of youth hockey's most exciting community events.

This episode of Pucked Up Parents , Michael and Angela kick things off with a recap of the latest hockey happenings, including their 12Us experience at summer hockey camp, the was it worth it story of how Angela managed to crack her phone screen because of hockey, and a listener's story that reminds us why maybe... just maybe... we should cut referees a little slack. Then it's on to the main event: how youth hockey completely infiltrates every aspect of a parent's daily life. Before you know it, hockey isn't just a sport—it's become your measuring stick for everything. Hockey tape replaces duct tape, a hockey stick becomes the perfect tool for hiding and retrieving things from under the bed, and a spare helmet suddenly seems like appropriate protective equipment for unsafe household chores. Michael and Angela dive into the unmistakable aroma of that permeates hockey away from the rink including garages that smell like a locker room to vehicles that need a pine tree gas station scented air freshner. They discuss how hockey influences major life decisions—like buying a vehicle based on equipment storage instead of gas mileage, skipping non-hockey events—and why years of stay-to-play hotels have necessitated VIP 5-star vacation hotels. They also talk about how their closets and gift lists have been completely hijacked by hoodies, wool socks, team apparel, and hockey merchandise, proving that once hockey enters your life, there's no escaping it. Throw in an excessive number of comments about the current scorching Cincinnati heat, far too many Clark Griswold references, and plenty of stories that every hockey parent will recognize, and you've got another episode that proves hockey isn't just something your kids play—it's a lifestyle that quietly takes over everything.

Hosts Michael and Angela venture into dangerous territory by inviting a real-life youth hockey referee, Jeremy, onto the show. That's right—the guy everyone yells at from the stands finally gets a chance to share his side of the story. Jeremy shares his hockey journey, from player to official, and explains what led him to being a referee. He breaks down the different levels of officiating and what it takes to move up the referee ranks. Of course, Michael and Angela don't let him off easy. They ask the hard-hitting questions every hockey parent secretly wants answered: Are referees secretly biased toward the home team? How embarrassing is it when you wipe out in front of a packed rink? Can refs actually hear everything parents yell from the stands? How do officials deal with rowdy parents, emotional coaches, and players who think every penalty is a conspiracy? Jeremy gives an honest look behind the curtain at one of the toughest and most misunderstood jobs in youth sports. The conversation is funny, insightful, and may even convince a few listeners to think twice before screaming "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" after every offside call. Whether you've been tossed from a rink, sat next to that parent , or spent years blaming the refs for your team's losses, this episode shines a spotlight on the truly thankless, unsung heroes of youth hockey—the referee

In this episode Michael and Angela kick things off with a recap of another chaotic week in hockey life. Michael shares the boys latest adventures from beer league and squeezing in ice time, while Angela recounts a travel nightmare trying to get home from a work trip—proving once again that hockey parents aren't the only ones who spend their lives battling schedules, delays, and unexpected drama. The main topic this week dives deep into the strange, hilarious, and sometimes downright ridiculous world of hockey rituals and superstitions . From players refusing to touch a championship trophy before it's officially won, to carefully tiptoeing around team logos in the locker room, Michael and Angela explore the traditions that have become part of hockey culture. They discuss lucky socks, lucky meals, pregame routines, and the questionable decision by some players to avoid washing gear for weeks—or even months—in the name of preserving a winning streak.

On this episode of Pucked Up Parents , Michael and Angela dive headfirst into the unpredictable world of youth hockey adventures and all the chaos that comes with it. Because let's be honest—if you've spent enough weekends at the rink, you've probably learned that the game itself is often the least dramatic part of the trip. The hosts swap stories about dead car batteries in freezing parking lots, flat tires on tournament mornings, white-knuckle drives through snowstorms, torrential rain, and just about every weather condition Mother Nature can throw at hockey families. They also discuss hotel mishaps, power outages, food poisoning, lost reservations, closed rinks, missing equipment, and the countless other surprises that seem to appear at the worst possible moments. Michael and Angela share some of their own memorable travel disasters, while also reading stories submitted by listeners and followers who have experienced everything from getting stranded hundreds of miles from home with no clothes to discovering that a rink schedule had changed without anyone noticing. In Hockey This Week , Michael recounts a personal defeat that may sting even more than a championship loss: getting smoked in a 5K race by his 12-year-old son. Not only did his son beat him fair and square, but he made sure to rub salt in the wound with some smack talk via text It's an episode full of laughs, cautionary tales, and a reminder that in youth hockey, the best-laid plans are often just the opening act for whatever unexpected adventure awaits around the next corner. Pack an extra charger, bring a spare tire, and maybe keep some pedialyte hady—because when it comes to hockey, expect the unexpected.

This episode Michael and Angela tackle one of the biggest topics in post youth hockey: the college hockey path . From the bright lights of NCAA Division I hockey to the late-night beer-league-adjacent glory of campus intramurals, they break down the many roads available to players who want to keep skating after high school. Angela takes listeners through the different college hockey options, explaining the structure of NCAA Divisions I, II, and III , while Michael attempts to follow all the eligibility rules straight without needing a whiteboard and a legal team. The hosts also dive into the world of ACHA hockey , discussing how club programs have grown into highly competitive opportunities for players who still want a serious hockey experience without the NCAA route. Michael and Angela also discuss the importance of finding the right fit , reminding families that there are many successful hockey journeys beyond Division I scholarships and NHL dreams. In this week's hockey update, disaster strikes. After weeks of swagger and confidence, The Big Cheese Elite finally falls from the ranks of the unbeaten. Whether you're navigating recruiting emails, considering an ACHA camp, or just trying to figure out what exactly NCAA compliance means, this episode provides a practical guide to the world of college hockey.

Angela is out of town this week, so Michael takes over the microphone for a solo episode that dives into his unique journey as a youth hockey parent. Unlike many sports dads, Michael didn't grow up playing hockey, following hockey, or really excelling at sports at all. In fact, he admits that becoming a hockey dad was never part of the plan. Michael reflects on what it's like entering the youth hockey world as a complete outsider and how he's learned the unwritten rules of "Hockey Dad Culture" simply by watching the dads around the rink. The episode also explores the spectrum of sports dads—from the overbearing, live-through-their-kid parent to the dad who's barely seen at the rink all season. Michael takes a look at where he falls on that scale and discusses the challenge of being involved and supportive without becoming "that guy." Along the way, he talks about finding his place in youth hockey, embracing the rink life he never expected to love, and how a self-proclaimed anti-hockey hockey dad somehow ended up spending his weekends in freezing cold arenas. .

On this episode of Michael and Angela dive into one of the true characters of youth hockey — the rink itself. From freezing cold “barns” with pothole-filled parking lots to immaculate NHL practice facilities with heated viewing areas and bars, they break down every type of hockey rink parents and players experience along the journey. The two discuss everything that makes a rink memorable: the quality (or horror) of the ice, boards that bounce, low benches and seating situations ranging from cushion seats to standing room only. Michael goes off on a passionate rant about youth hockey parking lots — including parents who stop in fire lanes, or double park . Angela puts her HBI skills from the Hockey Mom episode to work on figuring out all the rinks the oldest son has played at in his 12 year career. They also recap “Last Week in Hockey,” where the oldest son's Beer League Big Cheese Elite squad remains undefeated and the youngest son had his new jersey order made .

On this episode Michael and Angela dive headfirst into one of hockey’s most unavoidable traditions: penalties. From the confusion of offsides and icing calls that leave first-year full ice hockey parents nodding like they totally understand, to the chaos of minors, majors, and misconducts, the duo breaks down the rules every hockey family eventually learns the hard way. Of course, no penalty conversation would be complete without the legendary Penalty Box. The hosts discuss the strange culture surrounding “the box” — how long kids actually stay in there, which unlucky parent gets stuck opening and closing the door all game, and why Michael apparently treats his penalty box monitor duties like an evening at home by showing up with a blanket a book. The episode also touches on the more serious side of hockey discipline, including game ejections and suspensions under USA Hockey rules. As usual, this week in hockey is covered as Michael and Angela give an update on their son’s beer league... errr... “rec league” team — the Big Cheese Elite.

In this special Mother’s Day episode of Pucked Up Parents , host Michael steps aside and hands the mic over to Angela and two fellow veteran hockey moms, Shawna and Leslie, for a hilarious and heartfelt conversation about life as hockey parents. As first-generation hockey moms, the trio (known as the HBI) reflects on how they were thrown headfirst into the wild world of youth hockey and somehow survived years of early mornings, freezing rinks, road trips, tournaments, emotional rollercoasters, and endless team group chats. The moms open up about the emotional side of hockey parenting — from handling their sons’ wins, losses, injuries, and disappointments, to learning when to cheer loudly and when to just stay quiet in the car ride home. They discuss how hockey became more than just a sport for their families and how the friendships and bonds they built with other rink parents helped carry them through the chaos. Of course, it wouldn’t be Pucked Up Parents without some laughs. Angela, Shawna, and Leslie swap funny stories from years on the road, tournament weekends gone wrong, hockey bag disasters, and the little things only hockey moms truly understand. The group even dives into questions like: What’s your hockey mom superpower? Whether it’s finding missing gear in seconds, surviving on no sleep, or somehow packing an entire weekend into one rink bag, every hockey mom has one. The episode wraps up with advice for newer hockey moms entering the hockey world for the first time: embrace the craziness, enjoy the moments while they last, and most importantly — find your people. Because the friendships built at the rink often become just as important as the game itself.

Christie Casciano; Author of the Puck Hog Series and My Kids Play Hockey. Available now! In this episode of Pucked Up Parents , Michael and Angela sit down with book author, USA Hockey Magazine colunist, news anchor and hockey mom Christie Casciano for a candid and relatable conversation about life as a hockey parent. Christie dives into the inspiration behind her youth hockey parent guide, My Kids Play Hockey, sharing practical advice, hard-earned wisdom, and plenty of “you can’t make this stuff up” moments from the rink. She also highlights her lighter side with her preschool book series, The Puck Hog, designed to introduce the game to the next generation in a fun, approachable way. The conversation goes beyond the ice, exploring how hockey has shaped their kids’ lives and the parent lives in unexpected ways—from building resilience through failure to influencing paths like law school and even poetry, to making life long friends at the rink. Christie also talks about writing for USA Hockey, sharing how her article came together and unpacking some of the key themes around parenting, pressure, and perspective in youth sports. Throughout the episode, Christie reads excerpts from her work, giving listeners a firsthand feel for her voice and message—equal parts heartfelt and humorous. In the “Hockey This Week” segment, Michael and Angela keep things real with a quick (and painful) story about a roller hockey mishap that led to an unexpected ER visit. It’s an episode packed with insight, laughs, and a reminder that no matter how wild the ride gets, hockey parenting is a shared experience.

In this episode of Pucked Up Parents , Michael and Angela dive into one of the most overlooked species in youth hockey culture: the siblings—aka the legendary “rink rats.” From toddlers wrapped like burritos in oversized blankets to pre-teens living off vending machine snacks and chaos, they break down what it really takes to keep the non-playing kids alive, warm, and relatively entertained during those long rink days. Angela shares practical survival tactics—snack bag strategy, layering like you’re prepping for Everest, and the delicate art of finding seating that’s within eyesight of your kid who just wandered off. Meanwhile, Michael takes a more… scientific approach, comparing rink rats to wildlife in a nature documentary. He narrates their movements like a National Geographic special—migrating between bleachers, clustering near power sources, and forming temporary alliances with other siblings. They also get into the long-term outlook: does today’s rink rat become tomorrow’s hockey player, or do they run as far from the sport as possible? Michael and Angela talk about that fork in the road, sharing stories of their son who caught the hockey bug because of his older hockey playing brother. Of course, it wouldn’t be Pucked Up Parents without the logistical nightmare discussion: divide-and-conquer parenting. Splitting schedules, managing overlapping games, and figuring out who’s driving where. They recap their week in hockey life—highlighted by scoring a clutch Chipotle discount thanks to a hockey jerseys, plus both kids heading into tryouts at the same time. Bottom line: raising hockey players is hard… but managing the rink rats? That’s a whole different league