Our Girls Play Hockey Episodes

🏒 What does it actually feel like to get the call that you’ve made Team USA? In this unforgettable episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, hosts Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Hayley Scamurra sit down with Boston Fleet rookie and newly named Team USA Olympian Haley Winn to talk about the moment her childhood dream became reality. From backyard battles with her three older brothers to the USA Hockey Development Program, starring at Clarkson University, and now playing professionally in the PWHL — Hale...

🏒 What does a “normal day” look like when you’re a PWHL player, a Team USA Olympian, and right in the middle of a historic season for women’s hockey? In this mid-season edition of A Day in the Life, we go behind the scenes with Hayley Scamurra as she balances professional hockey, Olympic preparation, travel, recovery, leadership, and the daily grind that fans rarely get to see. From getting the call that officially made her a Team USA Olympian to turning the page the very next day and preparing...

🔥 “We want a team!” That’s what 17,228 fans shouted inside Capital One Arena — and it perfectly captured what made the PWHL Takeover Tour stop in Washington, D.C. such a historic, emotional, and game-changing moment for women’s hockey. In this episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, Lee sits down with Hayley Scamurra to recap an unforgettable weekend that was about so much more than a final score. From a sold-out open practice packed with young girls and families, to record-breaking game-day energy,...

💥 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: ...

🏒 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 thoug...

🚨 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 innova...

💭 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, ...

🎁 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 —...

📣 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 Aw...

💥 Is Women’s Hockey Becoming a Full-Contact Sport? Let’s Talk About It. In today’s episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, Lee and PWHL/Team USA forward Hayley Scamurra dive into one of the most talked-about topics in the sport right now: physicality, checking, and the evolution of competitive contact in women’s hockey. With the PWHL playing faster and more physical than ever, parents and coaches everywhere are asking: ➡️ Should girls start learning how to hit earlier? ➡️ What counts as competitiv...

🔥 Is “a hockey-life balance” even real—or is it just about priorities? This week on Our Girls Play Hockey, Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and PWHL star Hayley Scamurra dig into one of the biggest questions families face: how do young athletes juggle hockey, school, family, and downtime without burning out? From missed school dances and long road trips to the reality of puberty and injuries, Hayley shares her honest experience growing up in hockey—and what she wishes she knew about balance, rest, an...

✨ Do young girls take coaching more literally than boys? That’s the big question we dig into on this week’s episode of Our Girls Play Hockey! Lee, Mike, and Team USA’s Hayley Scamurra share their coaching insights and personal experiences on how language, confidence, and context impact the way girls receive and process feedback compared to boys. From locker room dynamics to building trust, the panel gets real about what works (and what doesn’t) when helping young female players thrive — and wh...

🏒 Can a teammate be your greatest mentor in hockey? In this game-changing episode of Girls Play Hockey, Olympian Hayley Scamurra and Coach Nick Stoop join host Lee MJ Elias to explore the powerful impact of mentorship in youth and girls' hockey. From locker room dynamics to on-ice performance, they share invaluable insights on creating supportive environments that nurture both athletic excellence and personal growth. 🔥 Highlights Include: Redefining mentorship: It's not just about age, but im...

🏒 Feeling overwhelmed on the ice? PWHL stars Hayley Scamurra and Gabbie Hughes join "The Ride to the Rink" to share game-changing strategies for managing those big hockey emotions. From breathing techniques to teammate support, this episode is packed with practical advice to help young players stay cool under pressure. We dive into the mental game, offering insights that'll transform how you approach those tough moments. Whether you're battling negative self-talk or struggling to stay p...

🏒 What does it really mean to be tough in hockey? In this episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, PWHL Ottawa star Gabbie Hughes joins Hayley and Lee to open up about her journey from Minnesota pond hockey to professional play—and her fight to bring mental health into the conversation through Sophie’s Squad. Awarded the 2023 Hockey Humanitarian Award, Gabbie proves that leadership goes far beyond the ice. She shares the real story behind Sophie’s Squad, the pressures young athletes face, and how vu...

🏒 Feeling unmotivated to hit the ice? You're not alone—even the pros struggle sometimes! This episode of "The Ride to the Rink" tackles the tough days when hockey feels more like a chore than a passion. Hosts Lee MJ Elias and Hayley Scamurra team up with Jessie Thompson from the Washington Capitals to share game-changing strategies for young players facing motivation slumps. Key Points: Turn your frown upside down: Find one thing to look forward to at the rinkIt's okay to not be okay: How to ...

🏒 Can women's hockey break through the ice ceiling? In this game-changing episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, we're joined by Jessie Thompson from the Washington Capitals to explore their groundbreaking "All Caps All Her" initiative. From learn-to-play programs to leadership development, Jessie shares how the Capitals are revolutionizing women's hockey and creating a more inclusive ice for all. 🔥 Highlights Include: The four pillars of the All Caps All Her program that are transforming the game...

What makes a truly great teammate? It’s not just about scoring goals or making big plays—it’s about how you treat the people around you. In this episode of The Ride to the Rink, PWHL stars Taylor Heise and Hayley Scamurra share powerful stories about what it means to be the kind of teammate that others never forget. From offering encouragement and building confidence to accepting challenges and learning from mistakes, they remind us that being a great teammate is about character, respect, and c...

How do you balance Olympic dreams, pro hockey pressure, and still find joy in the game? 🏆🇺🇸 In Part 2 of our conversation, Taylor Heise shares the habits, mindset, and lessons that fuel her success as a two-time Walter Cup champion and Playoff MVP. From being cut by Team USA to leading the PWHL’s next generation, Taylor opens up about resilience, confidence, and what it takes to thrive at the highest level. 💡 And she’s not just talking hockey—this episode is loaded with life lessons that ever...

Ready to unlock the secrets of hockey success? 🏒✨ Blake Bolden, a trailblazer in women's hockey, shares her journey from Division 1 college player to NHL scout in this inspiring episode of "Ride to the Rink." Joined by host Lee MJ Elias and co-host Hayley Scamurra, Blake offers game-changing advice for young players looking to level up their mental game and push past their limits. Ever wonder how top athletes overcome self-doubt? Or what it takes to make it to the national team? This episode'...

🏒 What does it take to break barriers and grow the game of hockey for everyone? In this inspiring episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, trailblazer Blake Bolden joins Lee and Hayley to share her incredible journey from player to scout to ambassador. From her early days with the Cleveland Lumberjacks to her groundbreaking role with the LA Kings, Blake offers a unique perspective on making hockey more accessible, diverse, and inclusive for all. 🔥 Highlights Include: Blake's path from youth hockey t...

Are you ready to unlock the secrets of a pro hockey player's journey? 🏒✨ Hayley Scamurra, Olympian and PWHL star, takes us on a wild ride through her youth hockey days in this eye-opening episode of "The Ride to the Rink." From midnight practices to fast food pit stops, Hayley's story is a rollercoaster of dedication, exhaustion, and valuable lessons learned. But here's the kicker: Are you making the same mistakes Hayley did? 🤔 Discover how to navigate the intense world of youth hockey wit...

🏒 What does it take to balance Olympic dreams with professional hockey stardom? In this captivating episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, Olympian and PWHL star Hayley Scamurra joins host Lee MJ Elias to unveil the thrilling—and demanding—world of elite women's hockey. From grueling Team USA camps to the excitement of professional free agency, Hayley offers an unfiltered look at the passion, dedication, and challenges that define her journey. 🔥 Highlights Include: Inside the intense Team USA Olym...

🏒 What does it take to become a champion in women's hockey? In this milestone 400th episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, we're celebrating the best of our "Girls Play Hockey" series with Olympic gold medalist and PWHL star Hayley Scamurra joining as our new co-host! Join Lee, Mike, and Hayley as they dive into game-changing conversations with some of the most influential figures in women's hockey. 🔥 Highlights Include: Brianna Decker's secret to outworking every opponent 💪Megan Bozek's guide to t...