A Clinic On Clinics
The Our Kids Play Hockey Team puts on a clinic for you this week when they discuss everything hockey parents should know about clinics!...
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- Jan 15
- 1 min
Youth Hockey, Goalie Skills, and BBQ with Former NHL Goalie Mike McKenna
Former NHL goaltender Mike McKenna was fresh off an 8u hockey tournament when he joined the Our Kids Play Hockey team earlier this week!...
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- Jan 8
- 1 min
A Spring Hockey Discussion
It may be January, BUT spring hockey is right around the corner...or so it would seem by how many people have already begun focusing on...
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- Dec 31, 2021
- 1 min
Stories with Lou Vairo - The Godfather of USA Hockey
Lou Vairo is considered by many to be the Godfather of USA Hockey. In this episode, which spawned from an interview in late 2019, Mike and L
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- Dec 24, 2021
- 1 min
An Interview With Coach Wendy Glover
How can we help raise our young athletes to be leaders on and off the ice and prepare them for life beyond sport? Coach Wendy Glover joins t
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- Dec 18, 2021
- 1 min
Combatting The Youth Hockey Holiday Lull
Happy Holidays!! This week our expert panel of Hockey Parents and Coaches discuss how to prepare and approach the magical time of the...
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- Dec 11, 2021
- 1 min
Our Kids Play Hockey: Development Without Destruction feat. JB Spisso
Our panel this week, joined by our culture and leadership expert, JB Spisso, discusses their viewpoints of how what we think is development
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- Dec 4, 2021
- 1 min
An Interview With Dan Blackburn
Mental fitness has become a major point of discussion in sports from the youth level to the pro levels, and is something we care deeply...
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- Nov 27, 2021
- 1 min
An Interview With Former NHL Defenseman Mike Weaver
While life after hockey isn't something we all want to think about all the time, it is a reality that all players must eventually face....
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- Nov 23, 2021
- 1 min
Introducing Our New Children's Book: "When Hockey Stops!"
Pre-Order Our New Children's Book: When Hockey Stops! Lee and Christie have been hard at work behind the scenes to bring the world a new...
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- Nov 20, 2021
- 1 min
An Interview With Scott Vargas, Executive Director of Puerto Rico Ice Hockey
Ice Hockey In Puerto Rico has recently made headlines with their participation, and victory, in the Amerigol Latam Cup. Our guest today,...
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- Nov 13, 2021
- 1 min
We're Talkin' Bout Practice
Based on an article from USA Hockey's October 2021 edition - Christie, Mike, and Lee discuss the 5 tips given to ensure the best youth...
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- Nov 4, 2021
- 1 min
Putting Perspective Back Into Youth Hockey Culture with Former NHL Captain Bryce Salvador
Former NHL Captain, Bryce Salvador, recently made the decision to forfeit a championship game in lieu of putting his 12u team's mental healt
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- Oct 30, 2021
- 1 min
What To Do After A Big Win
Everyone knows that big wins are a ton of fun, but what should coaches and teams look to do in the days following the big win? Lee raised th
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- Oct 24, 2021
- 1 min
An Interview With Nutrition Coach Mariah Fujimagari
Before you leave for your young athlete's practice or game today, take a moment to think about what they're putting in their bodies and...
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- Oct 16, 2021
- 1 min
An Interview With USA Sled Hockey Captain, Josh Pauls
This 8x Gold Medalist guest should serve as an anchor in all of our lives. From a super young age he has worked hard to be the best at...
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- Oct 9, 2021
- 1 min
Should Team Apparel Be Mandatory?
This topic raised a pretty lively debate from the panel - should youth players be expected to dress professional or wear team apparel...
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- Oct 2, 2021
- 1 min
An Interview With Franny Drummond
We often say that you don't always have to support a dream, but you should always support a person's right to have a dream. We also...
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- Sep 25, 2021
- 1 min
When It Feels Like Its Falling Apart
It's the biggest game of the season, and you were up three goals going into the third period, but the opponent is finding a way to...
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- Sep 18, 2021
- 1 min
An Interview With Kerry Fraser
As referee burnout plagues the sport of hockey, we sat down to talk with Kerry Fraser about some of the lessons he learned during his...
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- Sep 10, 2021
- 1 min
An Interview With USA Sled Hockey GM Dan Brennan
What if we told you that the competitive spirit of hockey knows no bounds? Dan Brennan began working with USA hockey in 1996 and now...
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- Sep 4, 2021
- 1 min
Balancing School And Hockey
When it comes to being a student athlete, the word student comes first. Lee, Christie, and Mike offer their advice to parents and players...
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- Aug 28, 2021
- 1 min
Fundraising Ideas
Fundraising is an important part of hockey season. It not only can help you fund your season but can offer a unique way to team bond and...
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- Aug 21, 2021
- 1 min
New Season Preparation
The season is around the corner and there's so many things to get ready!! What do you need to do before the season starts to ensure...
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- Aug 7, 2021
- 1 min
An Interview With Coach Ed Gosek
What should parents, coaches and athletes know as they navigate their hockey journey from youth through college? Ed Gosek, Head Coach of...
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- Jul 31, 2021
- 1 min
2021-2022 USA Hockey Rule Changes
With the start of the 2021-22 season around the corner, we're making sure everyone is aware of all the new changes in USA Hockey's handbook.
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- Jul 24, 2021
- 1 min
An Interview WIth Dr. Teresa Marzec
Do you know exactly what should be in your team's first aid kit?? Teresa Marzec, a Doctor of Physical Therapy for 42 years who also...
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- Jul 17, 2021
- 1 min
Our Kids Play Hockey: An Interview With Dr. Mike Commito, PhD
Can you imagine having to write a hockey story for every day of the year? Dr. Commito PhD did it, twice. We dig deep into his process for...
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- Jul 10, 2021
- 1 min
An Interview With Jennifer Flowers and Sophia Burns
This week we sat down to talk with Jennifer Flowers, the WCHA Vice President and women’s league commissioner, as well as the chair for a...
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- Jul 3, 2021
- 1 min
An Interview With Author Jody Anderson
We've talked about Great Parents and now we're talking about Crazy Parents! "Hockey Moms Aren't Crazy!" is full of stories of amazing...
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- Jun 26, 2021
- 1 min
Great Hockey Parents
Hockey parents really have a special job and to have that additional team of support behind you as a coach or an athlete is really...
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- Jun 19, 2021
- 1 min
An Interview With Joe Eppolito
Joe Eppolito, recipient of the 2021 Walter Yaciuk Award and 27 year veteran in the game of hockey with various roles with USA Hockey,...
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- May 29, 2021
- 1 min
A Discussion On Showcases
Showcase season is coming up quickly. Our experts give their best advice on what to look for when looking at showcases and the reasons...
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- May 15, 2021
- 1 min
Our Kids Play Hockey: An Interview With Jay Demarco, Creator Of "Small Saves”
Jay DeMarco has been inspiring goaltenders of every age since 1991 with his weekly comic strip Small Saves. He is passionate about the...
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- May 8, 2021
- 1 min
An Interview With Jack Han
Jack Han has had a unique story in the game of hockey which has led him through some pretty amazing opportunities to work in and around...
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- May 1, 2021
- 1 min
All About Equipment
Do you know what equipment you can be saving a few bucks on and which should never be bought used?? Our experts give us all the details...
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- Apr 24, 2021
- 1 min
An Interview With Author Bruce Berglund
Bruce Berglund has had the chance to study world history through the lens of hockey as he researched for and wrote The Fastest Game In...
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- Apr 17, 2021
- 1 min
An Interview With Troy Albert, Founder of The Peconic Hockey Foundation
The Peconic Hockey Foundation, based on the Eastern end of Long Island, is looking to grow the game and make it more accessible for a...
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- Apr 10, 2021
- 1 min
A Season In Review
Everyone's 2020/21 youth hockey season was so different in so many different ways, but can we call it "lost?” We want to hear your...
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- Apr 3, 2021
- 1 min
An Interview With Roger Grillo
When USA Hockey unveiled the American Development Model just over 10 years ago there were questions on how effective it would be. We...
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- Mar 28, 2021
- 1 min
Our Kids Play Video Games: An Interview With Ray Carsillo
When your kids aren't tearing it up on the ice, they might be tearing it up on the virtual rink or in another game they enjoy. Ray...
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- Mar 20, 2021
- 1 min
Camps And Clinics
How do you decide what camps and clinics are right for your family? We have some advice as we head into peak camp time with summer coming...
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- Mar 13, 2021
- 1 min
Moving Up
What happens when it comes time for your child to move up? How do you know its the right time? What steps should you take to ensure your...
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- Mar 6, 2021
- 1 min
End Of The Season
As the season begins to close out, we look to "My Kids Play Hockey" by Christie Casciano Burns for advice. Tune in as we breakdown...
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- Feb 23, 2021
- 1 min
Ice Hockey In Harlem
Ice Hockey In Harlem has been creating opportunities for youth hockey players for thirty years, and is facing a threat of being shut down...
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- Feb 20, 2021
- 1 min
An Interview With Coach Matt Lisle
In our first cross-sport episode, we welcome Coach Lisle, the internet's most sought-after baseball and softball coach.
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- Feb 13, 2021
- 1 min
You Know You're A Hockey Parent When...
Hockey parents really are a different breed! What qualities do you have that are true about all hockey parents??
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- Feb 6, 2021
- 1 min
Unifying Your Team For Success
Keeping a team focused and motivated is a season long endeavor. The ability to find what makes your team unique and keep that tangible is...
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- Jan 30, 2021
- 1 min
The Keys To Captaincy
Lee, Mike, and Christie dive deep into what it means to be a captain at the different age levels, how coaches should go about choosing a...
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- Jan 23, 2021
- 1 min
Interview With Author Rich Cohen
Lee, Mike, and Christie were joined by New York Times Best Selling Author Rich Cohen to discuss his latest work "Pee Wees: Confessions of...
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MEET OUR TEAM
Lee Elias
Christie Casciano Burns is hockey mom and a television news anchor in Syracuse, New York. She has been an award winning reporter and anchor for WSYR-TV since 1986. In addition to being a columnist for USA Hockey, she is the author of three books, "My Kids Play Hockey", “The Puck Hog” and “Haunted Hockey in Lake Placid.”
Lee Elias is a serial entrepreneur, professional speaker, award-winning published author, collegiate professor and championship coach. He has been recognized for his work with team building and bonding and also runs several businesses within the hockey space.
Mike Bonelli brings 30+ years as a coach and hockey executive that works with some of the best hockey services available to bring those resources to programs, teams and players. A member of USA Hockey’s coaching education program, Bonelli also serves as the coaching director and advisor too many youth programs.
christie Casciano Burns
Mike Bonelli
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