Our Kids Play Hockey Episodes

Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Our Kids Play Hockey has been honored with a nomination for the 2025 Hockey Podcast of the Year at the Sports Podcast Awards! To support us in winning this prestigious award again, we're asking for your vote. It's a simple process – just head over to https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-hockey-podcast/ and fill out the form! Thank you for your support! Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know! Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A R...

Join hosts Lee MJ Elias, Christie Casciano, and Mike Bonelli as they celebrate a remarkable year for "Our Kids Play Hockey." Reflecting on 2024, they share insights into the podcast's impressive growth, ranking in the top 10% on Buzzsprout, and reaching listeners in 77 countries. This episode highlights the top episodes that captivated audiences, from youth hockey journeys to inspiring interviews with NHL personalities. The hosts reveal their personal favorites, offering a glimpse into the stori...

Lee, Mike, Christie, and Sheri share the warmest of wishes this Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa for the whole team! We’re grateful for each and every listener this and every season and hope you have a wonderful holiday spent with your families! Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Our Kids Play Hockey has been honored with a nomination for the 2025 Hockey Podcast of the Year at the Sports Podcast Awards! To support us in winning this prestigious award again, we're asking for your vote. It's a ...

Hello, hockey friends and families! 🎙️ This week’s episode of Our Kids Play Hockey is a short but special one. We’re thrilled to announce that our podcast has been nominated for the 2025 Hockey Podcast of the Year by the Sports Podcast Awards! 🏆 After winning in 2023 and 2024, we’re going for the hat trick—and we need your help to make it happen. 🗳️ Vote for Our Kids Play Hockey! It’s simple: Click Here To Vote: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-hockey-podcast/ (or visit ...

How do you mentally prepare to play hockey when the stakes seem sky-high? This episode of Our Kids Play Hockey brings you insights from Brianna Decker, who highlights the crucial role of mental preparation and confidence in elite hockey, where skill differences are razor-thin. She shares her unique approach to practice, treating it with the same intensity as a game, pushing herself and her teammates to elevate their performance. Brianna opens up about the tough lessons learned from losing the...

Happy Thanksgiving! What life lessons have you learned from sports? This special Thanksgiving episode of Our Kids Play Hockey explores the profound impact of hockey on personal growth, highlighting how the sport instills discipline, time management, and resilience in young players. The hosts reflect on the enduring friendships formed with fellow hockey families, relationships that last long after the final whistle. They remind listeners to savor every moment, sharing stories like Lee's childr...

How do you transform a group of individuals into a cohesive team? In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, the team dives into "How to Win," Lee's new refresh on his best selling team building philosophy. This updated edition, a decade in the making, offers a streamlined approach filled with new experiences and reorganized insights. Lee's philosophy has matured to cater to all ages and settings, from sports teams to corporate environments. Discover the core elements of trust, communication, a...

How can we revolutionize youth hockey development? This week's episode of Our Kids Play Hockey explores the transformative impact of the American Development Model (ADM) on young players in the U.S. USA Hockey's Senior Director of Player & Coach Development, Ken Martel, joins the show to share insights on creating fun, game-like practices that emphasize puck touches, appropriate challenges, and decision-making. He highlights why encouraging kids to participate in multiple sports is crucial, w...

Are you raising a future sports star? John O'Sullivan offers his insights into nurturing confident, competitive athletes and discusses his upcoming book "The Champion Sports Parent: Practical Wisdom for Raising Confident, Competitive, Mentally Tough Athletes." Discover the significance of self-awareness for parents, as John emphasizes examining personal motivations in youth sports. Learn how gratitude can transform the sports experience for both parents and athletes, fostering a positive envir...

Are kids missing out by specializing in just one sport at a young age? Is specializing in one sport too soon hindering our kids' development? Discover how Kevin Shire and Top Sports are transforming youth athletics with a multi-sport approach that encourages playing hockey, soccer, and lacrosse within a single organization. Top Sports is a multi-sport model that lets young athletes explore hockey, soccer, and lacrosse within the same organization. This approach not only delays specialization b...

Have you ever witnessed a youth hockey game where the parents seemed more intense than the players? This episode of Our Kids Play Hockey tackles the pressing issue of inappropriate parent behavior at games, where cursing at referees and yelling at children can become all too common. This episode explores the ripple effects of such negativity, from driving referees away and causing shortages to impacting the overall experience for young players. The hosts highlight the crucial role of organizat...

Are smartphones stealing the spotlight from youth athletes? This episode of Our Kids Play Hockey explores the impact of excessive phone use on mental health, performance, and development. Our guest expert, Larissa Mills, gives some surprising suggestions in advocating for limited screen use until a certain age. Discover how to create healthy phone routines, establish boundaries, and balance parental monitoring with trust. Also, learn to audit your social media feeds for positivity and embrac...

How can mindfulness transform the way young athletes experience hockey? In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, retired NHLer Riley Cote explores the profound impact of teaching mindfulness and mental fitness to young players. He highlights how these practices can enhance focus, emotional regulation, and overall enjoyment of the game. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of maintaining the joy and fun of hockey, rather than pushing for elite development too early. Riley shares his per...

Ever wondered how to stay calm and enjoy your child's hockey games without the stress? Join Lee MJ Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Christie Casciano Burns as they share invaluable insights on managing anxiety as a hockey parent. Through personal stories and practical advice, they explore the journey from being a nervous wreck to finding peace at the rink. Learn how to support your young athlete, understand the importance of letting kids learn from failure, and discover the power of unconditional love a...

What does it take to build a winning team in the NHL? In this special crossover edition of "Our Kids Play Hockey," host Lee MJ Elias joins the NHL Wraparound podcast, featuring Neil Smith, former GM of the 1994 New York Rangers Stanley Cup champions, and Vic Morren, award winning ESPN veteran. Together, they interview Keith Jones, President of the Philadelphia Flyers, discussing the intricacies of team building, the importance of character in professional hockey, and how these principles apply t...

Are you already feeling the pressure of the season? This episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey" offers essential tips to help parents manage anxiety and enjoy the game. Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli discuss the common tendency of parents to hyper-focus on their own child, often leading to unnecessary stress. They emphasize the importance of viewing the game from a broader perspective, understanding that youth hockey is about development over the season, not just individual games. The conversation also t...

Do you have team building built into your practice plans this season? Hosts Lee MJ Elias and Mike Bonelli dive into the importance of team building in youth hockey. They share practical tips and fun exercises to help coaches and parents create a tight-knit team. From trust falls to tic-tac-toe with hockey sticks, they show how just 20 minutes a week can make a big difference. Whether your team is on a winning streak or facing challenges, these simple activities can help build trust, communicatio...

What are the key questions every young hockey player should ask to elevate their game and personal growth? Hosts Lee MJ Elias and Mike Bonelli explore eleven essential questions designed to help players, coaches, and parents foster development throughout the season. From turning problems into opportunities to understanding the importance of being a thoughtful listener, this episode offers valuable insights for anyone involved in youth hockey. Whether you're a player looking to enhance your skill...

In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, we’re thrilled to welcome back Coach Pete Whitney to dive deep into the world of NCAA coaching. Whether you’re an aspiring coach, a parent, or simply curious about what it takes to climb the coaching ladder in college hockey, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Key Points Discussed: 1.Passion and Mentality: •The mindset required to transition from youth coaching to the NCAA level, including the importance of passion, patience, and willingness ...

In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli tackle the intense pressures young athletes face. Inspired by a letter from a concerned parent, they explore how pressures from coaches, parents, and scouts impact youth hockey players. Lee and Mike begin by discussing what pressure means for kids and adults in the sport. They share real-world examples that highlight the emotional toll these pressures can have on young players. The discussion focuses on recognizing when pressur...

In this inspiring episode of “Our Kids Play Hockey,” hosts Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli sit down with NHL legend & Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier. With seven Stanley Cups to his name—six as a player and one as a coach—Trottier shares his journey from a small town in Saskatchewan to the pinnacle of hockey success. He opens up about his commitment to honoring his First Nation heritage and the vital work he does to grow the game in Indigenous communities across Canada. Trottier discusses the resilienc...

What do coaches need to do to prepare for the new season??? In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, hosts Mike Bonelli and Lee Elias share essential tips and tactics for coaches to prepare for the upcoming season. Whether you’re a seasoned coach or volunteering for the first time, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you build a successful and enjoyable season for your team. Remember: •Successful coaching starts with good communication and a supportive staff. •Proper planni...

In this episode of “Our Kids Play Hockey,” hosts Lee Elias and Christy Casciano Burns discuss the challenges and opportunities that come with being the new kid or new family on a hockey team. Whether you’ve switched clubs, moved to a new town, or joined a different hockey team for any reason, this episode offers valuable tips on how to integrate smoothly, make new friends, and create a positive environment. With Mike Bonelli on assignment in Norway, Lee and Christy share personal stories, practi...

Show Notes: In this engaging episode of “Our Kids Play Hockey,” hosts Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli welcome Luke Croucher, a Division III hockey player from Neumann University with a passion for motivating, inspiring, and educating young hockey players. Luke shares his unique hockey journey from Ancaster, Ontario, to college hockey near Philadelphia, highlighting the importance of perseverance, hard work, and capturing life lessons. This episode dives into overcoming challenges, the significance of...