Our Girls Play Hockey Episodes

🎁 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...

Fresh off a national championship with Wisconsin and a gold medal at the 2025 Women’s World Championship, Caroline Harvey joins Lee, Sheri, and Mike for a powerful conversation about her rise through the hockey world—and what it really takes to make it. From playing boys’ hockey in New Hampshire to becoming the best defenseman on the planet, Caroline (aka “KK”) shares the real behind-the-scenes work that led to her success. She opens up about what helped her stay driven, how to handle nerves be...

From the outdoor rinks of Sudbury to the heights of Olympic glory, Tessa Bonhomme has lived nearly every chapter of a hockey dream—and she’s still writing new ones. In this powerful episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, Tessa joins Lee, Sherri, and Mike for a heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply insightful conversation about the journey from “just wanting to play” to becoming one of the most recognizable voices in hockey. Tessa opens up about: Her path from a neighborhood daycare game to captaining T...

How do we get more women behind the bench in hockey? Lindsay Pennal, the Executive Director of the NHL Coaches Association, joins Our Girls Play Hockey to share her journey in leading the NHLCA, the impact of the Female Coaches Development Program, and the steps being taken to create more opportunities for women in coaching. Lindsay opens up about her unconventional path into the hockey world, the importance of networking, and how the NHLCA is helping shape the next generation of coaches—both m...

In this episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, we welcome Jamie Hersch, a trailblazing broadcaster and studio host for the NHL Network, MLB Network, PWHL, Minnesota Wild, and Vegas Golden Knights. From growing up as a passionate sports fan in Minnesota to becoming a respected voice in hockey broadcasting, Jamie shares her inspiring journey, the challenges she’s faced, and the evolving role of women in sports media. 🚨 Inside This Episode: ✅ How Jamie got her start in sports journalism—from high schoo...

In this episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, goaltender-turned-advocate Kendra Fisher shares her journey from making Team Canada to battling severe anxiety and panic disorder. She reveals how hockey became both her escape and her lifeline, leading her to champion mental fitness in sports. Hockey players are told to be tough, but what happens when the battle is internal? Kendra discusses the pressures of elite competition, the impact of social media on young athletes, and the critical role of par...

In this episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, we’re joined by none other than Cherie Piper—a three-time Olympic gold medalist and the Senior Manager of Scouting and Player Development for Hockey Canada. Fresh off another gold medal win at the U18 Women’s World Championship, Cherie shares her journey to becoming one of hockey’s most accomplished athletes. Together with hosts Lee MJ Elias, Sheri Hudspeth, and Mike Bonelli, Cherie dives deep into what it takes to succeed in high-performance hockey, bo...

What role does mindset play in the journey from youth hockey to the professional leagues? In this episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey," hosts Lee MJ Elias, Christie Casciano, and Mike Bonelli sit down with former NHL player Jason Podollan to explore this crucial question. Jason shares his personal experiences, from watching the Vancouver Canucks as a child to winning a provincial championship at 13, and how these moments shaped his path. The conversation highlights the significance of mental fit...