Blog Posts

Oct. 21, 2025

Beyond the Ice: Gabbie Hughes on Hockey, Mental Health, and the Power of Sophie’s Squad

Beyond the Ice: Gabbie Hughes on Hockey, Mental Health, and the Power of Sophie’s Squad

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 …

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Oct. 18, 2025

How TeamSnap Is Changing Youth Hockey with CEO Peter Frintzilas

How TeamSnap Is Changing Youth Hockey with CEO Peter Frintzilas

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 …

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Oct. 16, 2025

The True ROI of Hockey with Jack Han

The True ROI of Hockey with Jack Han

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…

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Oct. 14, 2025

Jessie Thompson on Overcoming the "I Don't Wanna" Days

Jessie Thompson on Overcoming the "I Don't Wanna" Days

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…

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Oct. 11, 2025

From Maple Leafs Development to Youth Rinks: Jack Han How to Build Hockey IQ in Kids

From Maple Leafs Development to Youth Rinks: Jack Han How to Build Hockey IQ in Kids

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…

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Oct. 9, 2025

How to Compete AND Support: Ian Shane on Why Great Goaltenders Think About Others First

How to Compete AND Support: Ian Shane on Why Great Goaltenders Think About Others First

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…

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Oct. 7, 2025

All Caps All Her: How Jessie Thompson is Growing Women’s Hockey with the Washington Capitals

All Caps All Her: How Jessie Thompson is Growing Women’s Hockey with the Washington Capitals

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…

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Oct. 4, 2025

ECAC Goalie of the Year, Ian Shane on Mindset, Adversity, And Doing Your Best

ECAC Goalie of the Year, Ian Shane on Mindset, Adversity, And Doing Your Best

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…

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Oct. 2, 2025

Winning Starts in the Kitchen: Hockey Nutrition Tips for Young Athletes

Winning Starts in the Kitchen: Hockey Nutrition Tips for Young Athletes

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…

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Sept. 30, 2025

Be the Teammate Everyone Remembers: Lessons from Taylor Heise & Hayley Scamurra

Be the Teammate Everyone Remembers: Lessons from Taylor Heise & Hayley Scamurra

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…

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Sept. 30, 2025

Out of the Comfort Zone: Blake Bolden's Powerful Message to Young Hockey Players

Out of the Comfort Zone: Blake Bolden's Powerful Message to Young Hockey Players

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…

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Sept. 27, 2025

Winning at Sports Nutrition: Habits That Fuel Young Hockey Players

Winning at Sports Nutrition: Habits That Fuel Young Hockey Players

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…

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Sept. 25, 2025

More Than a Hockey Player: Taylor Heise & Hayley Scamurra on Identity and Balance

More Than a Hockey Player: Taylor Heise & Hayley Scamurra on Identity and Balance

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 …

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Sept. 23, 2025

Breaking Barriers, Building Belonging: Blake Bolden's Mission to Grow the Game of Hockey

Breaking Barriers, Building Belonging: Blake Bolden's Mission to Grow the Game of Hockey

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,…

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Sept. 23, 2025

PWHL Star Taylor Heise on Resilience, Olympic Dreams & The Future of Women’s Hockey

PWHL Star Taylor Heise on Resilience, Olympic Dreams & The Future of Women’s Hockey

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…

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Sept. 20, 2025

PWHL Star Taylor Heise on Leadership, Legacy & Giving Back

PWHL Star Taylor Heise on Leadership, Legacy & Giving Back

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…

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Sept. 18, 2025

Unlocking Creativity on Ice with Christian Grunnah

Unlocking Creativity on Ice with Christian Grunnah

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 …

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Sept. 13, 2025

Power Skating Expert Christian Grunnah on Breaking Bad Habits Transforming Your Skating Game

Power Skating Expert Christian Grunnah on Breaking Bad Habits Transforming Your Skating Game

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…

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Sept. 11, 2025

Balancing School and Hockey: A Game Plan for Young Athletes

Balancing School and Hockey: A Game Plan for Young Athletes

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…

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Sept. 6, 2025

Mastering the Student-Athlete Life: Balancing School and Hockey

Mastering the Student-Athlete Life: Balancing School and Hockey

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…

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Sept. 4, 2025

Bring Your B Game: The Power of Consistency in Youth Hockey

Bring Your B Game: The Power of Consistency in Youth Hockey

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…

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Sept. 2, 2025

Lessons from Hayley Scamurra’s Youth Hockey Journey

Lessons from Hayley Scamurra’s Youth Hockey Journey

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…

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Aug. 30, 2025

Starting the Season Strong: Setting Your Hockey Family Up for Success

Starting the Season Strong: Setting Your Hockey Family Up for Success

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 …

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Aug. 28, 2025

The Real Goal of the Hockey Journey: Insights from Bobby Robins

The Real Goal of the Hockey Journey: Insights from Bobby Robins

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…

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