Our Kids Play Hockey

💭 Do you ever feel guilty for missing hockey? Missing a practice for school. Saying no to a tournament. Choosing family time, another sport, or just a much-needed break. If that knot in your stomach feels familiar, this episode is for you.In this powerful conversation, Lee Elias and Hayley Scamurra tackle a topic that players, parents, and even coaches experience — but rarely talk about out loud: the guilt of not always being at hockey.From youth hockey pressures to elite-level perspective, Lee and Hayley unpack why this guilt exists, where it comes from, and how it can quietly lead to burnout if left unchecked. They also share practical advice for players and parents on how to communicate with coaches, recognize signs of overload, and create healthier expectations around commitment and balance.✨ In this episode, we cover:Why missing hockey doesn’t mean you care lessThe difference between commitment and burnoutHow family, school, and other interests actually help developmentWhat healthy communication with coaches really looks likeSigns your player may need rest — physically and mentallyWhy guilt shouldn’t be the driver in youth sports decisionsThis episode is a must-listen for families navigating packed schedules, emotional pressure, and the belief that hockey must always come first. Because sometimes, the healthiest choice is stepping away — and that’s okay.🎧 Listen in, reflect, and let us know what resonated with you.📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Is It Okay to Miss Hockey? Navigating Guilt, Balance, and Burnout in Girls Hockey📩 Have a topic you want us to tackle? Email us at team@ourkidsplayhockey.com or click the link in the show notes to submit your question.#OurGirlsPlayHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyParents #GirlsHockey #SportsParenting #AthleteWellbeing #HockeyLife #AvoidBurnoutClick 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 thoughts and emotions were actually your biggest teammates?On this episode of The Ride to The Rink, hosts Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli are joined live from Sweden by sports psychology experts Johan Fallby and Henrik Cronebäck for a powerful conversation just for young hockey players.Together, they break down simple, practical mental fitness tools kids can use:On the way to practice 🚌Before a big game 🏒Even before a test at school 📚💡 You’ll learn why feeling nervous is completely normal — and how to use those feelings to your advantage instead of fighting them.🔑 Key takeaways for players:Why thoughts and emotions are your friends, not something to avoidThe SOAL method (Stop, Observe, Accept, Let Go) for managing nerves and pressureHow mental training is just as important as skating, shooting, and puck skillsA simple “Top Three” nightly habit that boosts confidence, well-being, and sleep👨‍👩‍👧 Parents, this one’s for you too — these tools work for kids and adults.🎒 Two golden nuggets. One short ride. Tools you can use for the rest of your hockey journey — and life.🏒 No matter where you’re at on your journey, we believe in you. You should too. Skate hard. Get better. Have fun.📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Mental Strength for Young Hockey Players: Simple Tools to Build Confidence Before the Game#TheRideToTheRink #MentalFitness #YouthHockey #HockeyMindset #MentalStrength #SportsPsychology #GrowthMindset #HockeyKids #ConfidenceBuildingClick 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

Happy New Year, hockey friends and families! 🎉We’re kicking off 2026 by reflecting on how far Our Kids Play Hockey has come, thanking the incredible community that made it all possible, and sharing a few important updates as we head into our sixth year of the show.In this special New Year’s episode, Lee, Mike, and Christy talk about the growth of the podcast, the lessons learned along the way, the amazing guests and topics that continue to shape the show—and why listener feedback has always been the fuel behind it all. We also look ahead to a huge milestone year, including our march toward Episode 500.📣 Programming Update for 2026:• Main Our Kids Play Hockey episodes will now release on Thursdays• The Ride to the Rink moves to Saturdays, perfect for weekend drives to the rinkWe also share why our annual stats recap is coming a little later this year and how Buzzsprout is helping us tell that story in a new way.Thank you for being part of this journey—from first-time listeners to families who haven’t missed an episode. We’re excited, grateful, and ready for everything 2026 has in store.Happy New Year. We’ll see you on the next episode of Our Kids Play Hockey. 🏒💙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

🟦 Feeling tired, burned out, or just plain stuck halfway through the hockey season? You’re not alone.This episode lands right in that in-between space — after the early-season excitement fades and before playoff hockey really begins. The skates might be hanging in the garage, the coffee intake is way up, and families everywhere are wondering how to make the final stretch of the season actually matter.In this conversation, Lee, Christie, and Mike dig into how players, parents, and coaches can reset, refocus, and rekindle their hockey experience heading into the most important months of the year.💡 In this episode, we cover:Why reflection matters before pushing forwardHow coaches should redefine roles, standards, and “wins” mid-seasonWhat parents can do when their child is on a losing team — or feeling burned outWhy records don’t define development (and never have)The importance of communication, confidence, and cultureHow to make January and February feel like a fresh start, not a grindSimple mindset shifts that help kids love the game again❤️ Whether your child’s team is winning every weekend or struggling to find momentum, this episode is a powerful reminder that youth hockey is about growth, connection, and long-term development, not standings.🎧 Listen now, reset your perspective, and make the rest of this season one your family feels proud of.📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Reset, Refocus, Rekindle: How Families Can Make the Second Half of the Hockey Season Matter📩 Have a question or topic you want us to cover? Email us or tap the link in the episode description — many of our episodes start with you. #OurKidsPlayHockey #YouthHockeyParents #HockeyDevelopment #HockeyMindset #YouthSports #HockeyCoaching #HockeyParenting #LoveTheGame #PlayerDevelopmentClick 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

🎙️ Hockey friends and family — Happy Holidays from our team!In this special, lighthearted holiday episode, Christie Casciano is joined by her two favorite cohosts, Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli for a festive check-in with the Our Kids Play Hockey community.Between laughs, movie references, and holiday banter, the trio delivers an important reminder parents and players often need to hear this time of year: it’s okay to step back, say no, and simply enjoy the season. Whether your family is skating through tournaments, navigating three-on-three invites, or choosing rest over ice time, this episode reinforces that balance matters — especially during the holidays.🎁 In this episode, we talk about:Why the holidays don’t have to revolve around hockeyGiving yourself permission to skip extra skates and tournamentsFinding joy, rest, and perspective during a busy seasonA sneak peek at upcoming episodes focused on the final stretch of the seasonEnding the year with gratitude, humor, and hockey community spiritAs the calendar turns and the season heads toward its final push, this episode is a warm reminder that hockey is important — but family, fun, and well-being always come first.🏒✨ From all of us at Our Kids Play Hockey — happy hockey holidays!#OurKidsPlayHockey #HockeyParents #HockeyHolidays #YouthHockeyLife #HockeyFamily #HolidayBalance #RinkLife #HockeySeasonClick 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

🎁 Happy holidays, hockey family!As the holiday season rolls in, Lee Elias and Hayley Scamurra take a break from the usual hockey talk to do what matters most this time of year — connect, reflect, and give thanks.In this special holiday episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, Lee and Hayley come together from Montreal to share warm wishes with the entire girls’ hockey community and offer listeners a more personal look behind the podcast. Hayley is joined by her partner Nick Stoop (yes, that Nick — longtime listener favorite and past guest), along with their beloved giant schnauzer, Lexie, who unofficially claims the title of “podcast couch MVP.”This episode is a reminder that while hockey brings us together, community is what keeps us connected — especially during the holidays.✨ In this episode, you’ll hear:Holiday wishes to hockey families around the worldHayley’s life in Montreal and holiday travel plansNick’s perspective on mentorship, travel, and supporting athletesThe importance of family, relationships, and community beyond the rinkWhy the girls’ hockey world truly feels like one big familyWhether you’re listening on a drive home, wrapping gifts, or sneaking in a quiet moment for yourself, this episode is a heartfelt reminder of why this community means so much.🎄 From all of us at Our Girls Play Hockey, we wish you a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and a joyful holiday season, whatever you celebrate.💙 Thanks for being part of our hockey family — we’ll see you in the next episode.#OurGirlsPlayHockey #GirlsHockey #HockeyCommunity #HolidayEpisode #WomenInHockey #HockeyFamily #Grateful #Mentorship #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

🧠 Mental fitness isn’t a buzzword anymore — it’s a skill. And like any hockey skill, it has to be trained.Mental fitness is one of the most requested topics in the Our Kids Play Hockey community, and for good reason. Parents, coaches, and players all know it matters — but far fewer know how to actually teach it, practice it, and *build it into everyday hockey life.In this episode, hosts Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli are joined by Swedish sport psychology leaders Henrik Cronebäck and Johan Fallby, co-founders of PlayWellMinds, a science-backed mental training platform helping young athletes build confidence, focus, and emotional balance through short, daily routines.This conversation moves mental fitness from theory to action.🏒 Inside this episode:~Why mental fitness should be trained just like skating, shooting, and strength~How elite athletes learn to work with stress instead of fighting it~Why introducing mental skills early gives kids a lifelong advantage~The difference between outcome goals and performance goals — and why it matters~Simple tools parents and coaches can use immediately (including the powerful “Top Three” exercise)~How teams can build stronger culture, trust, and communication through shared mental skills💡 From mindfulness and breathing, to emotional awareness, reflection, and celebration, Henrik and Johan break down how mental training can become a daily habit — not a reaction to problems.This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants kids to stay in the game longer, enjoy it more, and develop skills that go far beyond the rink.📩 Have questions for the hosts or guests? Email team@ourkidsplayhockey.com or use the text link in the show description.🎧 Listen, learn, and start training the mind like the muscle it is.📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Training the Mind Like the Body in Youth Hockey#OurKidsPlayHockey #MentalFitness #YouthHockey #SportsPsychology #HockeyParents #HockeyCoaches #PlayerDevelopment #MentalTrainingClick 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 love of hockey could become a lifelong career… even if you’re still a kid?On today’s Ride to the Rink, Lee, Mike, and Christie are joined by Nick Bowins, founder of Working in Hockey, to open young players’ eyes to just how many opportunities exist beyond playing the game. Whether you love video games, math, technology, social media, photography, coaching, or just being around the rink — there’s a path for you in hockey.Nick shares real examples and powerful reminders that the traits kids learn in the locker room — leadership, teamwork, effort, resilience — translate directly into careers on and off the ice. He explains how to explore your interests now, how to talk about your passions with confidence, and how to start building connections in the sport no matter your age.Kids, this episode is your permission slip to dream big — not just about where you’ll play, but about the kind of hockey life you can build.⭐ Highlights from the Episode🎮 Love video games? There are careers in tech and gaming inside the hockey world.📊 Good at math? Analytics roles exist at every level of hockey.📱 Into social media? Marketing is one of the fastest-growing lanes in the sport.📷 Creative? Photography and videography can open doors at rinks everywhere.🧠 Leadership matters: The same kids who lead in the locker room often become leaders in business later.🗣️ Tell people what you love: Sharing your passions helps others help you.💡 You’re more than a hockey player — and developing your other interests makes you stronger, not distracted.📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: How Kids Can Start Building a Future in Hockey — With Insights from Working in Hockey’s Nick Bowins🎧 Listen in and help your young athlete discover how their unique skills and passions can fuel a lifelong journey in hockey — on or off the ice. #RideToTheRink #WorkingInHockey #HockeyCareers #YouthHockey #HockeyParents #HockeyLife #LeadershipLessons #HockeyKids #HockeyDevelopment #BeyondTheIceClick 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 happens when grit, belief, and a nation’s pride collide on the ice? In one of the most electrifying moments in recent women’s hockey history, the Puerto Rico Women’s National Team stormed back from a 5–2 deficit to win gold at the IIHF 3-on-3 Series in Buenos Aires — and today, we take you inside that unforgettable run.Host Lee Elias and co-host Hayley Scamurra sit down with four players who helped make history: Katie Leffler, Anastasia Sloan, Sabrina Honeycutt, and goaltender Kaylee Awrachow. Together, they share the leadership moments, mental battles, adjustments, and pure joy that powered their gold-medal comeback.🌟 Episode Highlights:How Puerto Rico unlocked the perfect game with only minutes leftThe surprising tactical shift that changed everythingKatie “El Diabla” Leffler’s 21-point performance — and the nickname she didn’t ask forAnastasia Sloan breaking through traditional habits to score the OT winnerKaylee Awrachow’s mentality in a chaotic, whistle-less 3v3 formatSabrina Honeycutt’s “flu game” and the goal that lit up a silent arenaWhat it means to represent Puerto Rico — and inspire the next generationLeadership insights players can apply at any level of the gameThis episode is a celebration of resilience, culture, fun, and the unstoppable rise of women’s hockey across the world. 🇵🇷✨🎥 Want to see the comeback? Lee included the full game link in the show notes — trust us, you’ll want to watch it.📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: How Puerto Rico’s Women’s National Team Made History — And What Young Players Can Learn From Their Gold Medal Run👉 Have a topic or guest suggestion? Email us anytime at team@ourkidsplayhockey.com 👉 Visit OurKidsPlayHockey.com for more episodes, resources & our children’s book When Hockey Stops.#WomensHockey #PuertoRicoHockey #HockeyCulture #IIHF #GirlsHockey #LeadershipInSports #HockeyParents #HockeyCoaching #OurGirlsPlayHockeyClick 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

🔥 Ever wondered how people really get jobs in hockey? Today’s episode pulls back the curtain on an industry filled with far more opportunities — and far more good people — than most families ever realize.Nick Bowins, founder of Working in Hockey, joins Lee, Christie, and Mike to reveal how thousands of passionate players, parents, graduates, and lifelong fans are finding careers in the game. From analytics to marketing, from game ops to coaching, Nick’s message is simple: there is a place for everyone in hockey.Whether your young athlete is dreaming of their future or you want to stay connected to the sport after your playing days, this conversation will open your eyes to the real pathways forward. 🚀⭐ In This Episode:🌟 Why getting your first opportunity matters more than where it is🎯 The most common — and most overlooked — hockey jobs available right now🧊 How players’ skills (leadership, teamwork, resilience) translate directly to real careers🤝 Networking vs. socializing: the major difference no one talks about📈 How high school and youth programs can help kids build non-playing hockey skills🔄 Why patience + relentless pursuit of experience beats “years required” on job postings🧩 The reality of working in hockey: long nights, low pay… and incredible purpose🎤 The surprising paths that led today’s pros, execs, and staff into the gameNick also shares stories from his wildly successful newsletter and platform — including the 100+ people who’ve landed hockey jobs directly through his work.If you or your child loves this game, this episode is a roadmap to staying in it for life. 🏒❤️📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: How Kids (and Parents!) Can Build Real Careers in Hockey — Insights from Nick Bowins of Working in Hockey👉 Have a topic for the show? Email us at Team@OurKidsPlayHockey.com#hockeyjobs #workinginhockey #youthhockey #hockeyparents #sportsbiz #hockeylife #OurKidsPlayHockey #hockeycareer #hockeycommunity #hockeydevelopmentClick 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