Our Kids Play Hockey

🏒 What if chasing the “best” team is actually holding your player back?This week on Our Kids Play Hockey, we sit down with former NHL forward and Stanley Cup champion Ryan Carter to unpack the truth about youth hockey development — and why the “slow cooker” might beat the “instant pot” every time.From growing up in White Bear Lake, Minnesota to carving out a 10-year NHL career (after going undrafted), Ryan shares the mindset shifts, parenting lessons, and culture-building philosophies that shaped his journey — and how he’s now passing them on through broadcasting and ETS Performance.This is an episode every hockey parent and player needs to hear.🔥 Inside This Episode:🥣 Why development should be a crock pot, not an instant pot🏒 The real difference between good players and NHL players💡 Why “Plan B” might secretly sabotage “Plan A”💪 The power of environment in player development🚗 What parents should (and shouldn’t) say in the car after games🎯 Why belief sets your ceiling — and how to raise it👥 The importance of team-first thinking (high tide raises all ships)Ryan also opens up about:Playing alongside legends like Teemu SelänneHis first NHL game nerves in the Western Conference FinalsThe surprising role of luck and stick-to-itiveness in making the NHLWhy confidence and belonging are everything at the highest levelThis conversation is honest, practical, and deeply encouraging. Whether your player is on the A team, B team, or just starting out — this episode will reframe how you think about development.📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Slow Cooker Development: What Ryan Carter’s NHL Journey Teaches Hockey Families📩 Got questions? Email us at team@ourkidsplayhockey.com 📚 Check out our children’s book When Hockey Stops at WhenHockeyStops.comEnjoy your hockey. Enjoy your day. And remember — development is a marathon, not a sprint.#OurKidsPlayHockey #YouthHockeyDevelopment #HockeyParenting #RyanCarter #NHLJourney #HockeyMindset #TeamCulture #ResilientAthletes #SlowCookerDevelopmentClick To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽Trusted by our kids! Trust it with yours! Trusted at the NHL level through youth hockey, Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace. And their March offer is huge:50% off an annual plan compared to paying monthly, plus a free hockey training ball, free Green Biscuit, and free shipping.Or go all in with 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 GroupXInstagramLinkedInYouTube

🏒 What does it actually feel like to get the call that you’ve made Team USA?In this unforgettable episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, hosts Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Hayley Scamurra sit down with Boston Fleet rookie and newly named Team USA Olympian Haley Winn to talk about the moment her childhood dream became reality.From backyard battles with her three older brothers to the USA Hockey Development Program, starring at Clarkson University, and now playing professionally in the PWHL — Haley’s journey is a masterclass in discipline, confidence, and trusting the process.And yes… she just scored her first PWHL goal. 👏But this conversation goes far deeper than stats.✨ Haley opens up about:The mental shift required to move up each level of USA HockeyWhat “process goals” really mean — and how they fueled her Olympic pathBalancing Division I academics and elite hockey at ClarksonThe jump from college to the PWHL and adjusting to pro-level physicalityRepresenting the United States on the world’s biggest stage 🇺🇸Handling success with humility when others fall shortHayley Scamurra also shares powerful insight from her own Olympic experience — including what it’s really like to walk into Opening Ceremonies and feel the weight (and privilege) of representing your country.💬 One of our favorite takeaways:“If you hold onto the outcome too tightly, it moves further away. Focus on the day-to-day, and it’ll come to you.”For every girl dreaming of the Olympics… for every parent wondering what it truly takes… this episode is your blueprint.📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: From Backyard Ice to the Olympic Stage: Haley Winn’s Journey to Team USA🎧 Listen now, and remember — dreams become reality when you fall in love with the process.#OurGirlsPlayHockey #WomensHockey #TeamUSA #HaleyWinn #HayleyScamurra #PWHL #BostonFleet #GirlsHockey #OlympicDream #USADevelopmentProgramClick To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽Trusted by our kids! Trust it with yours! Trusted at the NHL level through youth hockey, Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace. And their March offer is huge:50% off an annual plan compared to paying monthly, plus a free hockey training ball, free Green Biscuit, and free shipping.Or go all in with 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 GroupXInstagramLinkedInYouTube

📊 Stats. Love them. Hate them. Ignore them. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, one thing is certain — statistics are part of hockey, and how you use them can shape your growth as a player.On this episode of The Ride to the Rink, Mike and Lee dive into one of the most emotional and misunderstood parts of the game: hockey stats. Goals, assists, plus-minus, turnovers, save percentage — they can motivate you, frustrate you, or even expose parts of your game you’d rather not see.🚨 But here’s the truth: stats aren’t the enemy — misusing them is.In this conversation, Mike and Lee break down:Why stats can reveal both strengths and blind spotsHow to avoid becoming defined by one numberWhy coaches use stats — and how players should respondWhen stats matter… and when they really don’tHow elite players use uncomfortable stats to improveWhy being a well-rounded, reliable player matters more than chasing points🏒 Whether you’re a player who checks the stat sheet daily or one who avoids it completely, this episode will help you rethink how stats fit into your hockey journey — and how to use them as a tool, not a trap.💡 Remember: the stats are in the past. Your effort, habits, and mindset decide what comes next.📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Stats Don’t Define You — How Hockey Players Should Really Use Numbers to Get Better🎙️ Wherever you are on your hockey path, we believe in you. You should too. #RideToTheRink #HockeyStats #YouthHockey #HockeyDevelopment #TeamFirst #HockeyMindset #PlayerDevelopment #HockeyParents #HockeyLifeClick To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽Trusted by our kids! Trust it with yours! Trusted at the NHL level through youth hockey, Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace. And their March offer is huge:50% off an annual plan compared to paying monthly, plus a free hockey training ball, free Green Biscuit, and free shipping.Or go all in with 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 GroupXInstagramLinkedInYouTube

📬 It’s time to open the mailbag — and these questions go way deeper than you might expect.In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee, Mike, and Christie tackle two listener questions that hit at the heart of youth hockey development — accountability, stats, and how parents can support learning without getting in the way.First up, a coach asks a question we hear all the time: 👉 Is there a stat that shows how many mistakes lead to goals — and how do we help kids understand that goals aren’t just on the goalie?From blue line turnovers and unforced mistakes to age-appropriate stat tracking and accountability, this conversation goes far beyond analytics. It’s about teaching the game, not blaming the game — and knowing when to coach skills, when to coach decisions, and when to let players take ownership.Then, we shift gears to a brand-new hockey family with a 5-year-old who’s obsessed with skating. 🥹 🏒 When should kids stop using rental skates? 🏒 Do sticks matter at this age? 🏒 How much should parents really invest early on?This episode is packed with real-world advice, honest perspective, and reminders of what youth hockey is actually about — development, patience, and love for the game.🎧 Episode Highlights:Why every goal is a team mistake, not just a goalie mistakeThe one stat coaches can track at any level (and how to use it properly)How turnovers at the blue line shape wins, losses, and learningThe fine line between reducing mistakes and killing creativityWhat parents of young players should (and shouldn’t) spend money onWhy rentals hold kids back — and how to upgrade without breaking the bank💬 Have a question you want answered on a future mailbag episode? Email us at team@ourkidsplayhockey.com or use the link in the episode description.🏒 Enjoy the ride, enjoy the rink, and thanks for being part of the Our Kids Play Hockey community.📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: What Stats Really Matter in Youth Hockey — And When to Buy Your Kid Their First Skates#OurKidsPlayHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyParents #HockeyCClick To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽Trusted by our kids! Trust it with yours! Trusted at the NHL level through youth hockey, Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace. And their March offer is huge:50% off an annual plan compared to paying monthly, plus a free hockey training ball, free Green Biscuit, and free shipping.Or go all in with 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 GroupXInstagramLinkedInYouTube

🏒 What does a “normal day” look like when you’re a PWHL player, a Team USA Olympian, and right in the middle of a historic season for women’s hockey?In this mid-season edition of A Day in the Life, we go behind the scenes with Hayley Scamurra as she balances professional hockey, Olympic preparation, travel, recovery, leadership, and the daily grind that fans rarely get to see.From getting the call that officially made her a Team USA Olympian to turning the page the very next day and preparing for another PWHL game, Hayley opens up about what it really means to stay present, grounded, and competitive in an Olympic year — especially while playing alongside (and against) future Olympic teammates.💥 In this episode, we cover:🇺🇸 What it felt like to officially make Team USA — and why the celebration is short🏒 Competing in the PWHL during an Olympic season (and why this year is different)🔁 Flipping the switch between teammates and opponents🧠 Staying mentally locked in while ignoring standings and outside noise🛡️ Why penalty killing is a mindset — and a source of pride🔥 How roles, chemistry, and “doing the little things” earn trust at the pro level🥗 Recovery, nutrition, travel, and managing energy in a relentless schedule🌍 What it means to represent your country — every single dayThis episode is a masterclass in professional mindset, elite preparation, and team-first hockey, with lessons for players, parents, and coaches at every level of the game.📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: A Day in the Life (Mid-Season): Inside the Mind of a PWHL Olympian🎧 Have a question for Hayley? Email us at team@ourkidsplayhockey.com, message us on Instagram, or tap the link in the episode description to text the show — we love hearing from the hockey community.#OurGirlsPlayHockey #WomensHockey #PWHL #TeamUSA #Olympian #GirlsHockey #DayInTheLife #HockeyMindset #PenaltyKill #WomenInSportsClick To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽Trusted by our kids! Trust it with yours! Trusted at the NHL level through youth hockey, Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace. And their March offer is huge:50% off an annual plan compared to paying monthly, plus a free hockey training ball, free Green Biscuit, and free shipping.Or go all in with 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 GroupXInstagramLinkedInYouTube

🚗💬 What if getting better at hockey isn’t about going faster — but about slowing down?On this Ride to the Rink, we pull one of the most important messages from our Our Kids Play Hockey conversation with Pavel Barber and turn it into a lesson every hockey family needs to hear.Pavel shares why today’s kids are more skilled than ever, why their ceilings are higher than they realize, and why comparison — especially on social media — can quietly derail confidence and development.This isn’t about flashy moves or highlight reels. It’s about: 🏒 Learning where skills actually apply 🧠 Understanding that failure is part of growth ⏳ Trusting the long development timeline 🔥 Keeping creativity alive while staying disciplinedPavel reminds young players (and parents) that every viral clip hides thousands of failed reps — and that the only player worth comparing yourself to is who you were yesterday.Whether you’re headed to practice, school, or just need a quick reset before stepping on the ice, this is a Ride to the Rink conversation that will stick with you long after the drive ends.🎧 Listen, talk it over, and take this mindset with you onto the ice.📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Why Slowing Down Might Be the Fastest Way for Young Hockey Players to Improve#RideToTheRink #OurKidsPlayHockey #PavelBarber #HockeyDevelopment #YouthHockey #HockeyMindset #PlayerDevelopment #TrustTheProcessClick To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽Trusted by our kids! Trust it with yours! Trusted at the NHL level through youth hockey, Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace. And their March offer is huge:50% off an annual plan compared to paying monthly, plus a free hockey training ball, free Green Biscuit, and free shipping.Or go all in with 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 GroupXInstagramLinkedInYouTube

🔥 What if the secret to elite hockey skills isn’t more ice time… but more patience?In Part 2 of our powerful conversation with Pavel Barber, we go far beyond highlight-reel moves and viral clips to unpack what real skill development actually looks like.From mastering the basics to embracing boredom, failing forward, and letting go of ego, Pavel delivers one of the most important messages young players, parents, and coaches can hear right now.💡 In this episode, we dive into:Why slowing down is the fastest way to get betterHow off-ice reps (even 10 minutes a day) can transform a player’s gameThe truth about trick shots, social media, and “instant gratification”Why boredom, creativity, and free play are development superpowersHow floorball, multi-sport play, and other interests build better hockey playersThe role of failure, ego management, and grit in long-term success🏒 Pavel also shares stories from representing Team Canada in floorball, explains why today’s kids have an incredibly high ceiling, and reminds everyone listening that comparison is the fastest way to lose joy in the game.This isn’t about becoming the next viral sensation — it’s about learning how to love the process, trust the work, and build skills that actually translate to the ice.📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Why Slowing Down Might Be the Fastest Way to Help Your Child Get Better at Hockey🎧 If you’re a hockey parent, coach, or young player trying to navigate development in today’s fast-paced world, this episode is a must-listen.👉 Have questions or thoughts? Click the link in the show notes and let us know — we love hearing from our hockey community.#OurKidsPlayHockey #PavelBarber #YouthHockeyDevelopment #HockeySkills #DelayedGratification #HockeyParents #HockeyCoaches #LoveTheProcess #MultiSportAthleteClick To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽Trusted by our kids! Trust it with yours! Trusted at the NHL level through youth hockey, Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace. And their March offer is huge:50% off an annual plan compared to paying monthly, plus a free hockey training ball, free Green Biscuit, and free shipping.Or go all in with 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 GroupXInstagramLinkedInYouTube

🇺🇸 Some hockey moments live forever — and some deserve to be remembered forever.This is one of those special Our Kids Play Hockey announcement episodes that hits right in the heart.We’re proud to share that Our Kids Play Hockey is officially teaming up with the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team to help support something truly meaningful: the creation of a Monument to a Miracle at Lake Placid — a permanent tribute to one of the greatest moments in sports history.🏒 Here’s how you can be part of it:😎 We’ve partnered with Hockey Wraparound to release Miracle Sunglasses inspired by the 1980 team🇺🇸 Red, white, and blue details with “1980” on one arm and “Miracle” on the other💙 For every pair sold, $10 is donated directly to the Monument to a Miracle Fund💸 Bonus: You’ll also get $5 off additional Wraparound productsThis episode is short, powerful, and all about community — because hockey families always show up when it matters.👉 Grab your sunglasses, support a historic team, and help ensure this moment is never forgotten.Thanks for supporting the show, supporting hockey history, and being the best hockey community in the world. We’ll see you at the rink. 🏒 #OurKidsPlayHockey #MiracleOnIce #1980OlympicTeam #HockeyHistory #LakePlacid #HockeyFamilies #YouthHockeyCommunity #MonumentToAMiracleClick To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!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 GroupXInstagramLinkedInYouTube

🔥 “We want a team!” That’s what 17,228 fans shouted inside Capital One Arena — and it perfectly captured what made the PWHL Takeover Tour stop in Washington, D.C. such a historic, emotional, and game-changing moment for women’s hockey.In this episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, Lee sits down with Hayley Scamurra to recap an unforgettable weekend that was about so much more than a final score.From a sold-out open practice packed with young girls and families, to record-breaking game-day energy, to a late-game scrum that reminded everyone that hockey is hockey, this takeover was a powerful statement about where the women’s game is right now — and where it’s headed.🏒 In this episode, we talk about:Why PWHL Takeover Tours are so impactful for players, fans, and future marketsWhat it felt like to hear fans chanting “We want a team!”The importance of visibility — and how one practice changed a youth team’s seasonThe reality behind the end-of-game scrum (and why it shouldn’t surprise anyone)Alex Ovechkin, NHL support, and what respect across the game really looks likeHayley’s emotional homecoming in D.C. and her family’s deep Capitals connectionHow parents, coaches, and organizations can use takeover events to grow the game💬 This wasn’t just a game. It was a reminder that women’s hockey is here, it’s thriving, and it’s demanding space — loudly.🎙️ Have a question for Hayley or a topic you want us to cover? Email team@ourkidsplayhockey.com or text us using the link in the episode description — we’d love to hear from you.📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: The PWHL Takeover Tour in Washington, D.C. Was Bigger Than Hockey#OurGirlsPlayHockey #PWHL #WomensHockey #TakeoverTour #GrowTheGame #GirlsHockey #HockeyParents #YouthHockey #WomensSportsClick To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽Trusted by our kids! Trust it with yours! Trusted at the NHL level through youth hockey, Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace. And their March offer is huge:50% off an annual plan compared to paying monthly, plus a free hockey training ball, free Green Biscuit, and free shipping.Or go all in with 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 GroupXInstagramLinkedInYouTube

🚗💨 Kids, buckle up — this one’s special.On this episode of The Ride to the Rink, we’re joined by one of the most creative and recognizable puck handlers in the world — Pavel Barber.If you’ve ever dreamed of dangling like the pros, pulling off trick shots, or making defenders look silly… Pavel is here to tell you what actually matters most when it comes to getting better at hockey.And spoiler alert: it’s not the tricks.🏒 In this episode, Pavel shares:Why skating and edge work matter more than hands or shootingHow puck control really works (hint: it’s about options and awareness)Why failure isn’t something to avoid — it’s something to chaseHow to manage your ego when trying new skills feels uncomfortableWhen creative moves do make sense — and when they don’tA powerful message for kids with big hockey dreams 💙This is a masterclass in patience, confidence, and trusting the process, delivered in a way every young player can understand.👊 Kids — listen closely. If Pavel Barber is telling you skating comes first… that’s something worth remembering.📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: What Pavel Barber Wants Young Hockey Players to Understand About Getting Better🎧 Take this conversation with you to the rink, the driveway, or the basement — and let it shape how you practice, how you think, and how you grow as a hockey player.👉 Have fun. Work hard. We believe in you.#TheRideToTheRink #PavelBarber #YouthHockey #HockeySkills #HockeyDevelopment #EdgeWork #HockeyMindset #FailToSucceed #OurKidsPlayHockeyClick To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽Trusted by our kids! Trust it with yours! Trusted at the NHL level through youth hockey, Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace. And their March offer is huge:50% off an annual plan compared to paying monthly, plus a free hockey training ball, free Green Biscuit, and free shipping.Or go all in with 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 GroupXInstagramLinkedInYouTube