Our Kids Play Hockey Episodes

🏒 Are we building great hockey teams… or just chasing superstars way too early? In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli are joined once again by hockey development consultant and writer Matt Dumouchelle for a deep, thoughtful, and at times uncomfortable conversation spar…

Happy New Year, hockey friends and families! 🎉 We’re kicking off 2026 by reflecting on how far Our Kids Play Hockey has come, thanking the incredible community that made it all possible, and sharing a few important updates as we head into our sixth year of the show. In this special New Year’s episo…

⏰ This is it. The final reminder. In this short but important episode, we’re officially in the last 24 hours of our massive year-end Wraparound Roundtable Grand Prize Giveaway—and we don’t want a single hockey family to miss their chance. 🎁 One lucky family will take home an unreal prize pack, incl…

🟦 Feeling tired, burned out, or just plain stuck halfway through the hockey season? You’re not alone. This episode lands right in that in-between space — after the early-season excitement fades and before playoff hockey really begins. The skates might be hanging in the garage, the coffee intake is …

⏰ One week left… and this might be the biggest youth hockey giveaway we’ve ever done. Every year, we look for a way to say thank you to the hockey families who make this community so special — and this year’s Holiday End-of-Year Giveaway is next level. In this short but important episode, we break …

🧠 Mental fitness isn’t a buzzword anymore — it’s a skill. And like any hockey skill, it has to be trained. Mental fitness is one of the most requested topics in the Our Kids Play Hockey community, and for good reason. Parents, coaches, and players all know it matters — but far fewer know how to act…

🔥 Ever wondered how people really get jobs in hockey? Today’s episode pulls back the curtain on an industry filled with far more opportunities — and far more good people — than most families ever realize. Nick Bowins, founder...

🧠 What if the biggest advantage your young hockey player could gain… wasn’t on their stick, but in their mind? This week on Our Kids Play Hockey , we dive deep into one of the most misunderstood and under-trained parts of the...

🎙️ Ever felt like there are too many voices on your child’s hockey bench? This mailbag episode might hit close to home. Lee, Christie, and Mike dive into a letter from a parent-coach navigating a situation many families know ...

🚗 Every hockey parent has been there. The game ends, emotions run high, and before you know it — the “coaching” starts before the gear’s even off. In one of our most revisited and requested topics, Lee, Mike, and Christie ret...

💭 Feeling the weight of being a hockey parent? You’re not alone. In this heartfelt and honest episode, Lee Elias , Christie Casciano-Burns , and Mike Bonelli open up about the mental and emotional load that comes with youth h...

💬 “If your kid’s frustrated about ice time, this episode is your playbook for turning conflict into connection.” Today, Lee and Mike sit down with Jen Fry — a sports educator, inclusion consultant, and communication strategis...

💸 Ever felt like youth hockey tournaments are taking you for a ride? You’re not alone. This week, Lee Elias, Christie Casciano-Burns, and Mike Bonelli go full “60 Minutes” mode to uncover the real cost of tournaments — from m...

🎙️ Ever wonder what “player development” really means — beyond the buzzword? This week on Our Kids Play Hockey, we sit down with Riley Armstrong, the Director of Player Development for the Philadelphia Flyers, to talk about how great players are truly made — from youth hockey to the pros. Riley’s j…

🚨 The App Every Hockey Parent Knows (and Needs!) — Inside TeamSnap with CEO Peter Frintzilas Ever wonder what it’s like to run the app that runs youth sports? In this week’s episode, the OKPH crew sits down with Peter Frintzilas, CEO of TeamSnap — hockey dad, tech leader, and the man helping 25+ mi…

🎧 What really separates players who make it to the next level from those who don’t? This week, we welcome back Jack Han — former Toronto Maple Leafs staff member, player development consultant, and author of the Hockey Tactic...

🏒 Are you fueling your young hockey star for success or setting them up for a nutritional penalty? In this game-changing episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee, Mike, and Christy team up with nutrition powerhouses Danny Drake and Mike Dalberth from Enduraphin to crack the code on youth hockey nutriti…

Ready to discover how champions are made—even when the path isn’t perfect? 🏒🔥 Taylor Heise, PWHL star and Team USA forward, joins Our Kids Play Hockey to share her incredible origin story—from picking up hockey at age 8 in a small Minnesota town to becoming the first-ever #1 overall pick in the PWH…

🎙️ Is Your Child's Skating Holding Them Back on the Ice? 🏒 In this game-changing episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, power skating expert Christian Grunnah joins Lee and Christie to unlock the secrets of elite skating skills. From when to start training to debunking myths about NHL superstars, Christi…

Can your child be a star on the ice and in the classroom? 🏒📚 In this game-changing episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, hosts Lee MJ Elias and Mike Bonelli tackle the ultimate challenge faced by young hockey players and their parents: balancing academic excellence with athletic ambition. From managing …

🏒 Are you ready to dominate the ice this season? In this game-changing episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, hosts Lee MJ Elias and Mike Bonelli reveal the secrets to starting the hockey season with unstoppable momentum. From mindset hacks to practical preparation tips, they're serving up a power play o…

Is your child's love for hockey fading? 🏒💔 In this eye-opening episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee, Christie, and Mike tackle the crucial issue of burnout in youth hockey. Through a heartwarming listener story and expert insights, they explore how to reignite the passion for the game and create a …

Every great hockey season starts with one thing: team chemistry. But how do you actually build it? After two decades of leading team-building sessions for coaches, athletes, and organizations worldwide, Lee has distilled his ...

🏒 What does it take to raise a champion on and off the ice? In this milestone 400th episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, host Lee Elias takes us on an exhilarating journey through the best non-NHL guest insights that have shaped the world of youth hockey. From ESPN legends to Olympic gold medalists, th…