Our Kids Play Hockey Episodes

These episodes are our flagship show meant for all youth hockey parents, coaches, and athletes regardless of position, age, or gender!
Feb. 24, 2024

How to Choose a Summer Camp for Youth Hockey Players

When the summer sun hits, every hockey parent starts facing the ultimate power play - selecting the perfect hockey camp for their young athlete. Andrew's heartfelt letter kicks off our heartfelt discussion on aligning camp ch...

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Feb. 17, 2024

March Madness! Preparing for Tryouts in Youth Hockey

As youth hockey tryouts loom on the horizon, the anticipation and nerves can feel overwhelming for players and parents alike. In this insightful episode, our seasoned hosts Lee Elias, Christie Casciano Burns, and Mike Bonelli...

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Feb. 10, 2024

Cultivating Love for Hockey Beyond the Ice: Insights from the Capital…

In this edition of Our Kids Play Hockey, we dive deep into the world of youth hockey development with Peter Robinson who is the Director of Youth Hockey Development for the Washington Capitals. With a career spanning 17 seaso...

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Feb. 3, 2024

A Deep Dive into Hockey, Parenting, and Life Lessons with John Buccig…

In this episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey," we have the privilege of welcoming John Buccigross, a renowned figure in ESPN's hockey coverage and a passionate advocate for the sport. Known for his in-depth knowledge and love for...

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Jan. 27, 2024

Secrets Of Working For A Hockey Retailer With Chase Barud of Ice Ware…

Chase Barud from Ice Warehouse joins Mike, Christie and Lee this week on Our Kids Play Hockey to arm you with the insider knowledge you need for your next hockey gear shopping adventure. Chase is here as our guide, drawing ba...

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Jan. 20, 2024

When Is It Worth Driving An Hour For Youth Hockey?

This week's episode of Our Kids Play Hockey covers a few topics sent into us asking about travel time and how you know its too much, and the correct way to solve some team-level discipline issues! Tune in as Lee, Christie, an...

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Jan. 13, 2024

Our Kid Made It To The NHL with Tom & Ellen Atkinson

In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, we're joined by Tom and Ellen Atkinson, the parents of NHL star Cam Atkinson and four brothers who all played youth hockey. Their journey is a compelling tale of love, sacrifice, and t...

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Jan. 6, 2024

Should Coaching Youth Hockey Be Emotionally Draining?

In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, hosts Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli delve into the emotional aspects of youth hockey coaching. They discuss the important role coaches play in not only teaching the game but also in shapi...

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Dec. 30, 2023

Encouraging Youth Hockey Players to Step Out of Their Comfort Zones

How do you help young hockey players step out of their comfort zones and grow both on and off the ice? This week's conversation centers on practical advice for parents, coaches, and mentors, focusing on building resilience, c...

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Dec. 24, 2023

Merry Christmas From Our Kids Play Hockey!

As the festive lights twinkle and the ice glistens Lee, Christie, and Mike are wrapping up the year with a heartfelt thank you to our hockey family. We're toasting to the incredible milestones we've reached together. In this ...

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Dec. 23, 2023

A Look Back at 2023 with Our Kids Play Hockey

Join us this week as we celebrate the year's end with heartfelt gratitude. The final episode of 2023 draws the curtain on a year of conversations that have been listened to around the world from Toronto to Nepal, uniting our ...

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Dec. 16, 2023

Turning Youth Hockey Tournaments into Unforgettable Experiences with …

With a combined experience of 30 years in the industry, Brian and Whitney Harrington join the show to give an insider's look into the world of organizing hockey tournaments, straight from the trenches. The Harringtons are exp...

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Dec. 9, 2023

Communication As A Tool In Youth Hockey with Coach Pete Whitney

Ever wondered why some sports teams perform far better than others, despite having similar levels of talent? One answer lies within the realm of communication, and in our latest conversation with the insightful retired NCAA c...

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Dec. 2, 2023

Monday Morning Coaching - Parental Influence In Youth Hockey

Who says parents can't play a crucial role in youth sports? With the right tools and mindset, you can navigate the complicated role of being a "Monday morning coach," thereby nurturing your young hockey player's skills and cr...

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Nov. 25, 2023

Developing Young Talent & The Power Of Video Analysis: Insights from …

In this week's episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, we dive into the intricacies of developing youth hockey skills with NHL developmental skill coach Sumeet Wareh. Sumeet is a renowned NHL Development Skills Coach known for his i...

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Nov. 18, 2023

Nurturing Passion, Not Pressure With Desiree Hall

Imagine nurturing the passion for hockey in your children without pressuring them to love the game. Sounds tough, right? Add in raising 5 kids who are all active in sports, while also being a team manager for multiple teams, ...

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Nov. 11, 2023

A Youth Hockey Parent's Guide to Establishing Accountability with Equ…

Ever felt overwhelmed by the chaos of your child's hockey experience? Do you wonder if there's a better way to manage all those bits of equipment, schedules, and laundry? We've got you covered. In this episode, we delve deep ...

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Oct. 28, 2023

Insights From A Lifetime As The Voice Of The Philadelphia Flyers With…

Lou Nolan, who's been the voice of the Flyers since 1967, joins the show to share his insights from the game that he has watched evolve firsthand. We dive into how he has been instrumental in crafting moments that have left f...

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Oct. 21, 2023

The Evolution of a Crazy Hockey Parent

Ever cringed over the sight of a rabid hockey parent, screaming at the sidelines and pushing their child beyond reasonable limits? We sure have, and this episode is all about that - navigating the perilous landscape of youth ...

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Oct. 14, 2023

Insights in Hockey with NHL Broadcaster Jim Jackson

What if you could get behind-the-scenes insights from a veteran NHL play-by-play broadcaster? Our guest, Jim Jackson, has an incredible 30-year career under his belt, and he shares lessons from his wealth of experience with u...

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Oct. 7, 2023

Mental Performance in Hockey with the Founders of Hone Athletics, Jes…

The Co-Founders of Hone Athletics have dedicated their lives to helping professional athletes on the mental fitness journeys. Jessica Renney grew up with a unique perspective of the game having spent most of her life close to...

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Sept. 30, 2023

Embrace The Chaos: The Art of Balance with Hockey Mom of 4 & Entrepre…

Being a hockey parent is a tiresome job, but what would happen if you multiply that by four kids? Add in a few successful businesses to make life more chaotic and you have today's guest, Kim Wright. Kim is the mastermind behi...

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Sept. 26, 2023

Catching Up With Teenage Entrepreneur Martin Negron And Duzter Armor

In this special mid-week edition of our show - Martin Negron, the young entrepreneur who, along with his father, created Duzter Armor checks back in to share some amazing updates after their first year on the market. Their in...

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Sept. 23, 2023

The Unexplored Side of Reward Systems in Youth Sports

Ever wondered if it's a good idea to pay your young hockey player each time they score a goal? Join in on our discussion challenging the practice of financial payouts in youth hockey. We dig into the implications and how such...

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