A Hockey Journey Rooted in ResilienceGabbie Hughes grew up in a true Minnesota hockey family, skating on backyard ponds and competing with her older brothers. But her path wasn’t always smooth. At age eight, her dad thought she wasn’t …
If you’re a hockey parent, there’s a good chance you’ve opened TeamSnap more times than your email. But how much do you really know about the people behind it?In a recent episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, hosts Lee Elias, Christy …
When most people hear “ROI” — return on investment — they think about dollars and cents. But in hockey, ROI goes far deeper. It’s not just about the cost of equipment, the long drives to rinks, or even the dream of a co…
Not Every Day Feels Like a Hockey Day—and That’s OkayEven the most passionate hockey players wake up some days feeling... off. Maybe it’s a rough start to the morning, a bad night's sleep, or just a dip in motivation. In a recent…
Beyond Scholarships: Jack Han on Smarter Youth Hockey DevelopmentWhen parents invest in youth hockey, they often dream of Division I scholarships or professional careers. But what if the true return on investment (ROI) is much bigger—and muc…
How to Be a Great Teammate in Hockey: Lessons from Goalie Ian ShaneEvery hockey kid dreams of scoring the big goal or making the game-winning save. But ask almost any pro, and they’ll tell you: the players who truly stand out aren’t ju…
When girls feel seen, supported, and celebrated in hockey, the entire game wins.That’s the heart of the All Caps All Her initiative — a powerful, community-focused program launched by the Washington Capitals to uplift girls and women a…
From California to Cornell: Lessons from Goalie Ian Shane’s Incredible JourneyWhen you think of hockey hotbeds, California isn’t first on the list. But Ian Shane didn’t need a traditional zip code to become an Ivy League standout…
If you ask any hockey parent what helps their child succeed, the answers usually sound the same: more ice time, better coaching, extra practice. And while all of those are important, there’s one factor that often gets overlooked but has just a…
The Secret to Being a Great Teammate: Lessons from Taylor HeiseWhen we think about great hockey players, we often picture highlight-reel goals, big saves, or championship wins. But as USA Hockey’s Taylor Heise reminds us, the real measure of…
Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone: A Lesson in Courage and GrowthIn a standout episode of Ride to the Rink, former pro player and NHL scout Blake Bolden joined Lee Elias and Hayley Scamurra to talk about one of the most essential lessons in sports…
Featuring Danny Drake and Mike Dalberth, Co-Founders of EnduraphinAs hockey parents and coaches, we’ve all faced the “hungry hockey kid” dilemma—rushing from rink to rink, trying to feed our athletes in between games, pract…
You Are More Than Just a Hockey PlayerOn this episode of Ride to the Rink, Lee Elias sits down with two powerhouse PWHL athletes—Olympian Taylor Heise and veteran forward Hayley Scamurra—to talk about something every young player (and …
Blake Bolden Is Growing Hockey, One Skate at a TimeIn a powerful episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, trailblazer Blake Bolden joined Lee Elias and Hayley Scamurra to share her journey from youth hockey in Cleveland to becoming a professional player,…
From Dreamer to Trailblazer: Taylor Heise on PWHL Stardom and Inspiring the Next GenerationIn Part 2 of our Girls Play Hockey interview with Taylor Heise, the PWHL's first-ever #1 draft pick and two-time Walter Cup champion offers powerful insight…
From Outdoor Rinks to Olympic Dreams: The Rise of Taylor HeiseWhat does it take to go from an 8-year-old trying hockey for the first time to becoming a playoff MVP, PWHL champion, and leader for Team USA? In a special two-part Our Kids Play Hockey…
What if we told you that creativity is just as important as edge work in hockey?In a recent Ride to the Rink episode, Christian Grunnah of Grow Up Power Skating joined Lee Elias and Christie Casciano to offer a fresh perspective on the connection …
Mastering the Most Important Skill in Hockey: Skating with Christian GrunnahSkating isn’t just another hockey skill—it is the skill. That’s the message Christian Grunnah, founder of GRA Power Skating, brings to the ice in this ep…
As the hockey season kicks into gear, young players are lacing up their skates and diving into the action. But there’s another arena where many are also competing: the classroom. In this energizing episode of Ride to the Rink, Mike Bonelli and…
Balancing school and hockey is one of the greatest challenges young athletes and their families face. Between practices, tournaments, homework, and tests, it can feel like there are never enough hours in the day. In a recent episode of Our Kids Play…
In this inspiring episode of Ride to the Rink, former Boston Bruins forward Bobby Robins drops one of the most impactful pieces of hockey wisdom you may ever hear: "You don’t have to bring your A game every night, but you better bring your B g…
From Buffalo to the Big StageWhen you watch Team USA forward and PWHL star Hayley Scamurra dominate on the ice, it’s easy to see the results — speed, skill, and poise under pressure. What you don’t see is the demanding youth hock…
The puck is about to drop on another hockey season, and whether your child is a returning player or lacing up for a new team, those first few weeks can set the tone for everything that follows. In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee Elias and …
When Bobby Robins joined "Ride to the Rink" with Lee Elias, he didn’t just talk about skating drills or stickhandling tips—he delivered something far more valuable: perspective.Bobby’s journey from driveway puck battles to the NH…