Our Girls Play Hockey Episodes

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...

What does it take to break barriers in the world of hockey? In this episode of Our Girls Play Hockey featuring Cassie Campbell-Pascall we explore her remarkable journey as a trailblazer in women's hockey. Cassie reflects on her playing days with elite teams like the Toronto Aeros, sharing the ice with some of the best players of her time. She discusses the evolution of women's professional hockey, highlighting the strides made in facilities, resources, and professionalism leading to the curren...

Ever wondered what it takes to excel in prep school hockey? This episode of Our Girls Play Hockey features Olympian, Pro, and United States Hockey Hall of Famer - Brianna Decker. Brianna currently serves as the head coach at Shattuck-St. Mary's and she joins the show to offer an insider's look at prep school hockey. She breaks down the daily life of a student-athlete, where academics and hockey training are seamlessly integrated into the school day. Curious about the recruiting process? Disc...

How can we keep girls in girls' hockey? This episode of Our Girls Play Hockey explores this question with Lindsay Fry, Olympian, Harvard grad, and now chair of the NHL Female Advisory Hockey Committee. Lindsay shares her journey in expanding girls hockey in Arizona, highlighting the creation of a comprehensive pipeline from learn-to-play programs to all-girls teams. She discusses the importance of early development, emphasizing quality coaching for young players to instill both skills and pass...

How can we expand the world of girls' hockey? This episode of Our Girls Play Hockey explores this question with Kristen Bowness, who shares her journey of growing girls' hockey programs in Nashville and now in Utah. She highlights the importance of girls-only hockey, emphasizing how these programs and tournaments foster camaraderie and provide unique opportunities for those who prefer not to play co-ed. The discussion also touches on how events like the Preds Girls Classic can drive the sport'...

Ever wondered what it's like to be drafted into a professional hockey league? Hayley Scamurra shares her thrilling experience of being selected by Ottawa in the inaugural PWHL draft, capturing the excitement and uncertainty of not knowing where she would land. She also opens up about the transition from college to pro hockey, highlighting the increased physicality and the challenges of adapting to a higher level of play. Hayley stresses the significance of mental preparation, reflecting on how...

What does it take to make the Olympic team? This week's Our Girls Play Hockey brings you insights from US Women's National Team GM Katie Million on the rigorous selection process for the national hockey team. Hear the challenges of making tough roster decisions and the intense USA-Canada rivalry, celebrated as one of the greatest in sports. Learn how the 1998 Olympic gold medal ignited a surge in girls' and women's hockey participation across the U.S. Plus, get the scoop on the upcoming USA-Ca...

Ever wondered how girls hockey differs from boys hockey? Join us as Kim McCullough, director of Total Female Hockey, shares her insights on the social dynamics and skill development in youth hockey. Discover the unique challenges and opportunities in the girls' game and how they shape the future of female athletes. - Kim McCullough highlights the social aspect as a key difference between girls and boys hockey, emphasizing peer connections. - Skill levels are similar at young ages, but checki...

Dive into our essential guide to college hockey recruiting with hosts Lee MJ Elias, Mike Bonelli, Christie Casciano Burns, and Sheri Hudspeth in this episode of "Our Girls Play Hockey." Joined by Megan Myers, assistant coach for the Boston University women's ice hockey team, the discussion covers everything from the ideal age to start thinking about college hockey to crafting the perfect email to catch a coach's attention. Megan shares her expertise on navigating NCAA rules, the importance of ba...

In this episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, we dive deep into five common myths about women’s hockey with our expert guest, Hannah Beckman. Hannah, a skater for the Puerto Rican National Ice Hockey Team and recent graduate from Utica University, where she served as Director of Operations for their NCAA women’s program, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the conversation. Together, we discuss and debunk the myths that have long surrounded women’s hockey, shedding light on the realities...

In this insightful episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, hosts Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Sheri Hudspeth are joined by hockey legend Megan Bozek to tackle a question many parents and young female athletes face: “How long should girls play boys’ hockey?” Megan, a decorated Team USA member and Olympic medalist, shares her personal journey from playing boys’ hockey until the 8th grade to making the switch to girls’ hockey. She delves into the challenges and benefits of both environments, offering in...

Welcome to the premiere episode of “Our Girls Play Hockey,” a new series within the “Our Kids Play Hockey” podcast network. In this episode, hosts Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Sheri Hudspeth from the Vegas Golden Knights, dive into the intricacies of starting a girls’ youth hockey program. Our expert guest, Katelyn Parker, shares her invaluable insights and experiences. Starting a Girls’ Hockey Program: •Importance of having passionate leaders. •Initial steps: Contacting district representativ...