Our Kids Play Hockey Episodes

Are you ready to unlock the secrets of successful hockey parenting? 🏒 As part of our celebration for 400 episodes of Our Kids Play Hockey, host Lee MJ Elias serves up a power play of wisdom from five top episodes for parents. From tryout truths to screen time struggles, we're breaking down the boards on what every hockey parent needs to know. 🔥 Highlights Include: The year-round tryout: Why your kid's always on the ice 🎭NHL star Daniel Briere's playbook for being a hockey dad 🏆Turning the pos...

🏒 What's the secret sauce behind 400 episodes of hockey coaching wisdom? As part of our celebration for 400 episodes of Our Kids Play Hockey, we're serving up a power play of insights from our top five coaching conversations! Join host Lee MJ Elias as he skates through game-changing advice that'll transform your coaching strategy—both on and off the ice. 🔥 Highlights Include: 5 foundational steps to kickstart your youth hockey season 🏁The hidden power of passing in developing hockey IQ ...

🏒 Ready to unlock the secrets of hockey success from NCAA to the pros? As part of our celebration for 400 episodes of Our Kids Play Hockey, host Lee MJ Elias serves up a power play of wisdom from five favorite player-focused episodes. From conquering pre-game jitters to impressing coaches, this highlight reel is packed with game-changing advice for young athletes and their biggest fans—the parents! 🔥 Highlights Include: Turn anxiety into your secret weapon on the ice 🧠11 self-reflection quest...

🏒 What can 400 episodes of hockey wisdom teach us about life, leadership, and the game we love? In this milestone 400th episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, host Lee MJ Elias takes us on an exhilarating journey through the best moments and insights from NHL legends. From Hall of Famers to coaches and current GMs, this episode is a treasure trove of hockey knowledge that goes far beyond the rink. 🔥 Highlights Include: Bryan Trottier's powerful metaphor for team unity in a diverse hockey world&nbsp...

🏒 Is your young hockey star destined for greatness, or are they just an early bloomer? In this eye-opening episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, hosts Lee MJ Elias, Christie Casciano Burns, and Mike Bonelli tackle the complex world of youth hockey development. From extra ice time advantages to the emergence of late bloomers, they explore the factors that shape a player's journey from novice to potential pro. 🔥 Highlights Include: The surprising truth about early physical advantages in youth hockey...

🏒 What if you could get NHL-level advice delivered straight to your inbox? In this game-changing episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, host Lee MJ Elias teams up with former NHL player Bobby Robins to unveil a revolutionary email newsletter series designed to transform your hockey journey. From the locker room to the living room, this dynamic duo shares insights that will elevate your game, both on and off the ice. ➡️ Subscribe now at hockeywraparound.com 🔥 Highlights Include: The inside scoop on ...

🏒 Ever wondered what it takes to become a top-notch youth hockey coach? In this eye-opening episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, hosts Lee MJ Elias and Mike Bonelli take you on an exhilarating journey through the USA Hockey Coaching Education Program (CEP). From rookie coaches to seasoned veterans, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the five levels of coaching certification that are shaping the future of American hockey. 🔥 Highlights Include: The secrets behind USA ...

Are you making these 5 summer hockey mistakes with your kids? 🏒☀️ In this eye-opening episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee MJ Elias, Christie Casciano, and Mike Bonelli reveal the top five mistakes hockey parents make during the summer—and how to avoid them before they derail your child’s development or love for the game. From packing the schedule with camps to losing sight of what summer is really for, this conversation will shift your mindset and help you make better, more balanced choices ...

“Is my kid where they’re supposed to be?” It’s one of the most common questions we hear—and this week on Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee, Christie, and Mike break it all down with a level-headed, age-by-age guide to youth hockey development. Whether your player is just learning to stand on skates or preparing for juniors, this episode helps you understand what skills are appropriate right now, what’s coming next, and how to support your child’s journey without rushing the process. 🏒 In this episode...

What does it really take to beat the odds in hockey—and stay at the top? In this inspiring episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, former NHL forward Matt Moulson joins Lee, Christie, and Mike to share the story behind his incredible 11-season career. From being a 9th round draft pick to wearing a letter in the NHL, Matt’s journey is filled with lessons for players, coaches, and parents alike. 👀 Inside the Episode: 🏒 Why work ethic and mindset matter more than early success🧢 The surprising truth abo...

Are hockey skills clinics worth your time and money? 🏒💰 In this eye-opening episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, hosts Lee, Christie, and Mike tackle the hot topic of youth hockey skills clinics. From defining what makes a great clinic to navigating the sea of options, our expert panel shares insider tips and personal experiences to help you make the best choices for your young player's development. 🔥 Highlights Include: What separates a true skills clinic from a glorified workout 🏋️‍♂️The secret...

Heads up, hockey families! We recently found out that our email— team@ourkidsplayhockey.com —was down for a while, and we may have missed your messages. The good news? It’s back up and running! If you’ve sent in questions, feedback, show ideas, or just wanted to say hi, please re-send them—we’d love to hear from you. Thanks for your patience and for being such an awesome part of our community. Keep the messages coming—we’re always listening! Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Hav...

Are private hockey lessons worth the investment for your young player? 🏒💰 In this eye-opening episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, hosts Lee, Christie, and Mike tackle the hot topic of private hockey lessons for youth players. From finding the right coach to balancing extra training with team practices, our expert panel dives into the world of personalized hockey instruction, offering invaluable insights for parents navigating this crucial decision. 🔥 Highlights Include: The surprising benefits o...

In this special mailbag episode of Our Kids Play Hockey , Lee and Mike dive into some powerful listener-submitted questions that hit at the heart of today’s youth hockey experience—from the overwhelming costs of AAA, to what really matters when choosing a team, to how concussions can change the way young players approach the game. Whether you’re a hockey parent struggling with financial decisions, a coach wondering how to build true team culture, or just trying to figure out how to support yo...

What does it take to build a hockey franchise from the ground up—and keep it thriving for 30+ years? In this inspiring episode of Our Kids Play Hockey , we’re joined by Howard “Howie” Dolgon , the founder, owner, and president of the Syracuse Crunch , AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning. From growing up on the streets of Brooklyn to hosting the first outdoor AHL game in history, Howie shares his incredible journey and the lessons he’s learned about perseverance, community, and buildi...

We get asked for advice all the time… but what happens when that advice goes in one ear and out the other? In this episode, Lee and Mike dive into three common pieces of guidance that youth hockey parents frequently seek out—then completely disregard. From multi-sport overload , to the myth of showcases , to chasing teams hours away for more letters, we tackle the realities of what kids really need to develop and thrive in this sport. 🏒 Topics include: ✅ Why playing multiple sports ...

How do young players find their identity, toughness, and purpose—on and off the ice? This week on Our Kids Play Hockey, we’re joined by former NHL forward and current junior hockey coach Zac Rinaldo, whose career was defined by grit, heart, and relentless work ethic. Zac shares his journey from leaving home at 14 to attend Notre Dame in Saskatchewan, to becoming a fan favorite in Philadelphia and playing 11 years in the NHL. Now coaching the Pelham Panthers, Zac is focused on developing the nex...

This week on Our Kids Play Hockey, Christie takes over the host seat to ask the big question: what does it really take to be a great coach in youth hockey? With Mike and Lee in the hot seat, we dive deep into the reality of coaching—far beyond X’s and O’s. From balancing passion and pressure to dealing with criticism, managing parents, and constantly learning, they break down the challenges and rewards that come with the title of “Coach.” Whether you’re thinking about coaching for the first ti...

Whether your kid is just starting out in youth hockey or already eyeing their college path, this episode is a must-listen. Lee, Christie, and Mike dive into the big questions every hockey parent faces—when should we start thinking about the future, how much should school and social life weigh in, and what really matters in the long run? From navigating early travel tournaments to the intense pressure of high school and junior hockey, the trio reflects on what they wish they knew when their kids...

How should coaches, parents, and players truly evaluate a hockey season—especially when it didn’t end with a trophy? This week on Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee and Mike (with Christie on assignment) take a deep dive into what it really means to have a successful season—and it’s not just about the scoreboard. From fostering a positive team culture to navigating tough losses, they share strategies for reflecting on the year with purpose. They also discuss the importance of development, goal-setting, ...

How do young athletes build confidence, resilience, and a strong mindset both on and off the ice? This week on Our Kids Play Hockey, we welcome Danielle McDonough, former professional hockey player, mindset coach, and author of The Empowered Athlete. Danielle shares her incredible journey from playing boys’ hockey in Southern California to earning a full scholarship at Providence College, playing professionally in the NWHL and Switzerland, and ultimately transitioning into mental performance co...

In this powerful episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, we sit down with Jon Nelson, a hockey coach, father, and mental health advocate, to discuss his incredible journey through hockey, mental health challenges, and the groundbreaking treatment that changed his life. Jon shares his deeply personal battle with depression, the life-saving deep brain stimulation procedure he underwent, and how hockey helped him persevere through it all. He also discusses his advocacy work through Pulverize the Stigma, a...

What truly defines a successful young athlete in today's competitive world? In this compelling episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, performance coach Kevin Neeld joins Lee and Christie to share insights from his work with the Boston Bruins and beyond. From the traits of successful NHL players to the critical role of sleep and nutrition, Neeld offers a treasure trove of advice for parents and coaches aiming to nurture young talent. 🔥 Highlights Include: The key characteristics that set NHL players...

In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, hosts Lee MJ Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Sheri Hudspeth, tackle the often daunting world of youth hockey tryouts. They share personal stories and professional insights to guide parents and players through the pressures and misconceptions of the tryout process, emphasizing the importance of long-term development over immediate team placements. 🔥 Highlights Include: The reality behind youth hockey tryouts and evaluations 🏒 Essential preparation tips ...