Our Kids Play Hockey

🏒 Is creativity in hockey being misunderstood… or mis-taught?If your player loves skill moves, toe drags, and trick shots — but struggles to know when to use them — this episode is a must-listen.This week on Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee Elias, Christie Casciano-Burns, and Mike Bonelli are joined by global skills coach and viral hockey creator Pavel Barber for a powerful, thoughtful conversation about skill development, creativity, and application in today’s game.Pavel pulls back the curtain on what truly matters in player development — and it might surprise you coming from one of the most skilled puck handlers on the planet.🧠 In this episode, we dive into:🔄 Creativity vs. application — why skill only matters if it solves a problem🏎️ Why skating is still the foundation (yes, even according to Pavel Barber)🎯 How to teach kids when to use moves like toe drags and Michigan attempts🧩 Helping players build their own identity, not just copy what they see online❌ Why labeling moves as “flashy” can actually stunt development🔁 How failure, when done right, accelerates growth and confidenceThis conversation is packed with practical insights for parents, coaches, and players navigating modern youth hockey — especially in an era where highlights are everywhere, but understanding often isn’t.⚠️ Important note: This is Part 1 of a 2-part series. In Part 2, we’ll go deeper into Pavel’s journey as an international athlete, his discipline behind the scenes, and the mindset that separates good players from great ones.🎧 Listen now — and then bring this conversation to your next ride to the rink.📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Creativity, Skill, and the Truth About Development: What Pavel Barber Wants Hockey Families to Understand👉 If you found value in this episode, please rate, review, and share it with another hockey family. 📘 Don’t forget to check out our children’s book When Hockey Stops at WhenHockeyStops.com.#OurKidsPlayHockey #PavelBarber #HockeyDevelopment #YouthHockey #HockeySkills #CreativeHockey #HockeyParents #PlayerDevelopment #HockeyCoachingClick 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

💥 This is one of the most requested topics we’ve ever received — and for good reason.Body image. Confidence. Strength. These are conversations that affect almost every girl hockey player and family at some point… yet they’re rarely talked about openly.In this powerful and honest episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, Lee Elias and former Olympian Hayley Scamurra dive deep into the evolving definition of strength in girls hockey — from youth levels all the way to the pros.Together, they unpack:The body image pressures female athletes face (often starting way earlier than we realize)Why the number on the scale is not a measure of performance or worthStrength training myths — including the fear of “getting too bulky”How social media fuels comparison (and how to protect confidence in a scroll-heavy world)Why reframing strength as what your body can do changes everythingHayley shares her own journey — from struggling to fit into jeans as a kid, to embracing her physical strength as one of her greatest assets on the ice. Lee brings the perspective of a coach, parent, and lifelong hockey advocate, challenging outdated narratives around health, fitness, and confidence.💬 This episode isn’t just for players. It’s for parents, coaches, and hockey dads who want to support girls the right way — with empathy, education, and leadership.📩 We want to hear from you. If this episode resonates, email us at team@ourkidsplayhockey.com or use the text link in the show notes to share your thoughts or questions.Have fun, work hard, get better — and remember: strong looks different on everyone.#OurGirlsPlayHockey #GirlsHockey #Confidence #BodyImage #FemaleAthletes #HockeyParents #StrengthTraining #YouthSportsClick 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

🏒 The season is winding down… but the work isn’t over yet.As playoffs approach — or the final games come into view — this episode of The Ride to the Rink is all about how you finish. Because whether you’re chasing a championship or counting down the last few skates, the habits you build right now matter more than you think.In this solo ride, Lee shares the exact messages he’s delivering to teams across age groups as the season enters its final stretch — lessons that apply no matter where your team sits in the standings.🚨 In this episode, we cover:Why the end of the season is the best time for honest self-reflectionHow to fight burnout, refocus your mindset, and reset your standardsWhy “slow starts” and “slow finishes” are team habits — not accidentsWhat coaches really notice during the final games and evaluationsNavigating ice time, shortened benches, and understanding your roleHow finishing strong impacts how coaches, teammates, and organizations remember you💡 Whether you’re a player fighting for every shift, a leader trying to pull your team together, or a parent listening along in the car — this is a reminder that character shows up loudest at the end.📩 Have a question you want us to answer on the show? Tap the link in the episode description to send it in — anonymously or by name.👊 Finish strong. Always.#RideToTheRink #YouthHockey #FinishStrong #HockeyMindset #Playoffs #TeamCulture #HockeyDevelopment #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

We’re closing the book on 2025 with our annual Year in Review—and the numbers are WILD. From 156 episodes (yep—3 per week) to 4,454 minutes of content (74+ hours) and listeners in 100 countries, this show continues to grow because of one thing: the hockey community sharing it.We also count down the Top 5 episodes of 2025 (plus an honorable mention), talk through the topics parents are clearly searching for most (tryouts, development, myths, and expectations), and pull back the curtain on what happens after we hit “end recording”—including how titles, transcripts, and social clips help families actually find the episodes they need.And if you’ve ever wondered whether the show is still growing… November + December 2025 were the two biggest months we’ve ever had. Hockey-stick chart. Straight up.Key TakeawaysConsistency wins: 156 episodes in 2025 and no missed weeks in 6 yearsGlobal reach: listeners in 100 countries and 3,853 cities in 2025Top cities: Toronto #1, followed by Minneapolis and ChicagoTop 10% on Buzzsprout: driven by listens per episode + community sharingThe search effect is real: the episodes that rank highest are the ones parents need answers to (tryouts, benchmarks, myths)The Top 5 Episodes of 2025 (Countdown)#5: Do Early Hockey Stars Stay Ahead? (Ep. 399)#4: What Skills Should My Kid Have at Their Age? (Ep. 390)#3: 3 Pieces of Advice Hockey Parents Ask For… and Ignore (Ep. 376)#2: Debunking Youth Hockey Myths w/ Bruins Performance Coach Kevin Neal (Ep. 358)#1: The Truth About Tryouts and Evaluations (Ep. 355)Honorable Mention: The Underappreciated Defenseman (Ep. 343)Practical Tips for Parents (takeaways from this discussion)Don’t panic over a 2–3 day tryout window—evaluation happens all seasonUse benchmarks as guardrails, not pressure—kids develop at different speedsWhen you’re stuck at the rink… search the website + share the episodeSend questions in—some of the best episodes start with a listener email--Click 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 really take to go from a 9-year-old hockey player with a dream… to an Olympian and professional hockey player?In this special Our Girls Play Hockey Mailbag Episode (Part 1), hosts Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli are joined by our very own Olympic and professional hockey player Hayley Scamurra to answer your questions — straight from young players, parents, and families across the hockey community.After posting a simple call for questions, the response was overwhelming. So many thoughtful, curious, and mature questions came in that this mailbag turned into a two-part series. In this episode, we focus on Hayley’s journey — from youth hockey to college, Team USA, and ultimately the pro game.💬 You’ll hear Hayley answer questions like:How did she go from a 9-year-old player to an Olympian?What really separates good players from great ones?What skills Olympic coaches actually look for (hint: it’s not just goals)What habit did she have to unlearn to reach the next level?How important is mindset compared to talent?Why making mistakes is actually part of becoming elite✨ This episode is packed with honesty, perspective, and reassurance for young players who feel pressure to be perfect — and for parents navigating the ups and downs of the hockey journey alongside them.📌 Coming next: Mailbag Part 2 dives into life as a professional hockey player and the current state of women’s hockey — including the PWHL and what the future holds.🎧 Listen in, take notes, and remind yourself (or your player) that the journey matters just as much as the destination.📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: From Dreamer to Olympian: What Young Players Can Learn from Hayley Scamurra’s Hockey Journey#OurGirlsPlayHockey #WomensHockey #GirlsHockey #HockeyJourney #MentalGame #OlympicMindset #PWHL #YouthHockey #HockeyParentsClick 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 your best shift actually starts before you step on the ice?On this episode of The Ride to the Rink, Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli are joined by mindset coach Sandy Cohan to talk about something every player can control — how you prepare mentally on the way to the rink.Too many players think they can just flip a switch once the puck drops. The truth? Your competitive engine needs to be warmed up before you lace up your skates.💡 In this ride, we break down:🧠 Why your brain doesn’t understand “don’t” (and how negative thoughts sneak in)🔁 How to replace “don’t mess up” with clear, powerful to-do thoughts🎯 Why choosing a simple daily theme beats focusing on stats or outcomes⚡ What it really means to be “impossible to ignore”📈 How to measure gains, not gaps, after every game or practice🕒 Why champions think in today’s, not seasonsThis is a must-listen for players who want to compete harder, parents who want to help without adding pressure, and coaches who care about building confident, resilient athletes.👊 Wherever you are on your hockey journey — we believe in you. You should too.Skate hard. Have fun. Get better every day.📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: The Game Starts Before the Rink — How to Build Your Competitive Mindset Early#RideToTheRink #HockeyMindset #YouthHockey #MentalPreparation #CompeteEveryDay #HockeyDevelopment #GainsNotGapsClick 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 most important skill your hockey player needs isn’t taught on the ice?In this powerful episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee Elias, Christie Casciano-Burns, and Mike Bonelli are joined by Sandy Cohan, founder of Mental Edge Hockey and author of the 99 Rules book series, for a deep, honest, and eye-opening conversation about mindset, confidence, and what it really takes to develop resilient hockey players — and strong humans.Sandy breaks down why mindset isn’t a “specialty skill,” but the foundation everything else is built on. From youth players struggling with confidence, to parents navigating the balance between protection and pressure, this episode delivers practical insight every hockey family needs.🏒 In this episode, we discuss:Why confidence is built, not bornThe real difference between belief and confidenceHow defining “success” changes everything for young athletesWhy kids don’t need to avoid failure — they need to learn how to get back upWhat parents and coaches often get wrong about motivation and gritHow mindset training can (and should) start as early as 6–8 years oldWhy hockey is just the vehicle — and character is the destination📘 Sandy also shares the story behind his 99 Rules Every Athlete Needs to Know and 99 Rules Every Sports Parent Needs to Know books — simple, powerful reminders that resonate far beyond the rink.If you care about your child’s long-term development, love for the game, and life beyond hockey, this is a must-listen.🎧 And don’t miss it — Sandy also joins us on The Ride to the Rink for a kid-focused follow-up your players will love.Listen now and start building confidence from the inside out.#OurKidsPlayHockey #MentalEdgeHockey #YouthHockeyParents #HockeyMindset #SportsParenting #PlayerDevelopment #ConfidenceAndGritClick 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

🚨 How do you grow a girls hockey league from a handful of teams to one of the largest in the country?This week on Our Girls Play Hockey, hosts Lee Elias and Hayley Scamurra sit down with Bob Apter, President of the Northern Illinois Hockey League (NIHL) — an organization now home to 75 girls travel teams across five states and counting.From humble beginnings to a multi-state powerhouse, Bob shares the inside story of how NIHL became a model for competitive balance, accessibility, and innovation in youth hockey. You’ll hear how creative ideas — like the “Peoria Rule” that makes travel more affordable and charm bracelet championships that celebrate every player’s journey — are reshaping the culture of girls hockey.💡 Highlights include:The origin story of NIHL’s girls division — and how it scaled beyond IllinoisWhy “competitive balance” is the secret to retention and successThe unique “Peoria Rule” keeping travel fair and affordableNew initiatives linking NIHL with the PWHL and college programsHow alumni like Cammi Granato, Kendall Coyne Schofield, and Abby Murphy continue to inspireWhy now is the best time ever to start or grow a girls hockey program👀 Whether you’re a parent, coach, or player — this episode is full of lessons on what it takes to build a thriving, inclusive hockey community.📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: How the NIHL Built One of the Largest Girls Hockey Leagues in America🎧 Tune in, share with your team, and keep growing the game!#GirlsHockey #YouthSports #PWHL #NIHL #CammiGranato #KendallCoyneSchofield #AbbyMurphy #OurGirlsPlayHockey #HockeyDevelopment #GrowTheGame #MidwestHockeyClick 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 not being “identified” as a top player early… actually worked in your favor?On this episode of The Ride to The Rink, Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli are joined by their good friend Matt Dumouchelle, creator of Hockey Factories and a global student of hockey development. Matt has traveled the world studying how different countries develop players — and what he’s learned challenges a lot of the North American mindset around early selection, elite teams, and “being picked.”Together, they dive into one of the most important messages young players and families can hear:👉 Being selected at 10, 12, or 14 doesn’t determine how good you’ll be — but your habits, mindset, and effort absolutely will.🔥 In this episode, you’ll learn:Why European hockey development focuses on developing everyone, not just early standoutsWhy being cut from a team is not the end of the roadHow work ethic, attitude, and energy outlast early talentWhy your role as a player will (and should) change every yearHow playing different positions builds hockey IQ and long-term successWhy consistency and commitment matter more than highlights🏒 Whether you’re an 8-year-old just starting out, a teenager chasing your next opportunity, or a parent wondering how to support your child through the ups and downs — this episode is packed with perspective, reassurance, and motivation.💡 Remember: You don’t have to be the best player right now. You just have to keep showing up and getting better.🎧 Buckle up and enjoy the ride.📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Youth Hockey Development: Why Early Selection Doesn’t Define Success #TheRideToTheRink #YouthHockey #HockeyDevelopment #HockeyMindset #LongTermDevelopment #TrustTheProcess #HockeyParents #YouthSports #PlayerDevelopment #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

🏒 Are we building great hockey teams… or just chasing superstars way too early?In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli are joined once again by hockey development consultant and writer Matt Dumouchelle for a deep, thoughtful, and at times uncomfortable conversation sparked by the World Junior Hockey Championship.After watching Canada eliminated by Czechia for the third straight year, Matt shared a post that stopped a lot of people in their tracks — and it raised a question every hockey parent, coach, and administrator needs to hear:👉 What if smaller hockey nations aren’t developing better players — but better teams?With fewer resources, fewer rinks, and far fewer registered players, countries like Czechia, Finland, Sweden, and Latvia continue to punch above their weight on the world stage. Meanwhile, North America pours massive resources into identifying and developing a very small percentage of players at increasingly younger ages.This episode dives into:The difference between team development vs. early superstar identificationWhy many European models are forced to develop every kid longerThe hidden cost of early selection, constant movement, and “elite” labelsWhy hunger, cohesion, and shared identity still matter in modern hockeyHow youth coaches and organizations can shift focus without abandoning competitivenessWhat parents should actually expect at each age level — and why benchmarks matter💡 This is not a Canada vs. Europe debate. It’s a conversation about how we grow the game, keep kids playing, and help more players reach their potential — on and off the ice.If you care about development, culture, and the future of youth hockey, this one’s a must-listen.🎙️ Listen. Reflect. Share the conversation.📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Are We Developing Hockey Players Too Early? Lessons from World Juniors & European Models#OurKidsPlayHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyDevelopment #WorldJuniors #TeamOverTalent #PlayerDevelopment #HockeyParents #CoachingYouthHockey #GrowTheGameClick 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