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!
When Is It Worth Driving An Hour For Youth Hockey?
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...

Listen to the Episode
Our Kid Made It To The NHL with Tom & Ellen Atkinson
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...

Listen to the Episode
Should Coaching Youth Hockey Be Emotionally Draining?
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...

Listen to the Episode
Encouraging Youth Hockey Players to Step Out of Their Comfort Zones
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...

Listen to the Episode
Merry Christmas From Our Kids Play Hockey!
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 ...

Listen to the Episode
A Look Back at 2023 with Our Kids Play Hockey
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 ...

Listen to the Episode
Turning Youth Hockey Tournaments into Unforgettable Experiences with Showdown Hockey Tournaments
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...

Listen to the Episode
Communication As A Tool In Youth Hockey with Coach Pete Whitney
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...

Listen to the Episode
Monday Morning Coaching - Parental Influence In Youth Hockey
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...

Listen to the Episode
Developing Young Talent & The Power Of Video Analysis: Insights from NHL Development Skills Coach Sumeet Wareh on Youth Hockey Training
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...

Listen to the Episode
Nurturing Passion, Not Pressure With Desiree Hall
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, ...

Listen to the Episode
A Youth Hockey Parent's Guide to Establishing Accountability with Equipment and Routines
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 ...

Listen to the Episode
Insights From A Lifetime As The Voice Of The Philadelphia Flyers With Lou Nolan
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...

Listen to the Episode
The Evolution of a Crazy Hockey Parent
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 ...

Listen to the Episode
Insights in Hockey with NHL Broadcaster Jim Jackson
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...

Listen to the Episode
Mental Performance in Hockey with the Founders of Hone Athletics, Jessica Renney and Paula McQuaid
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...

Listen to the Episode
Embrace The Chaos: The Art of Balance with Hockey Mom of 4 & Entrepreneur, Kim Wright
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...

Listen to the Episode
Catching Up With Teenage Entrepreneur Martin Negron And Duzter Armor
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...

Listen to the Episode
The Unexplored Side of Reward Systems in Youth Sports
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...

Listen to the Episode
High School Hockey Tournaments From Planning to Execution with Flyers Cup President Eric Tye
Sept. 16, 2023

High School Hockey Tournaments From Planning to Execution with Flyers…

Ever wonder what goes into organizing a high school hockey tournament like the Flyers Cup? Eric Tye joins us this week as the President of the Flyers Cup. He takes us on a journey through the meticulous season-long preparatio...

Listen to the Episode
When Should Parents Retreat from Coaching Youth Hockey?
Sept. 9, 2023

When Should Parents Retreat from Coaching Youth Hockey?

Ever wondered when it's the right time for a parent to step back from coaching their child's sports team? Mike and Lee dig into this pressing question, examining how family dynamics, team requirements, and the individual expe...

Listen to the Episode
Cultivating a Competitive Culture in Youth Hockey
Sept. 2, 2023

Cultivating a Competitive Culture in Youth Hockey

Ever wonder how to keep the fun and competitive spirit alive in youth hockey? This week we draw on our experiences to discuss the art of fostering a vibrant, competitive culture among young players. We share practical strateg...

Listen to the Episode
Applying Lessons Learned At The Rink To Parenting with John Boruk
Aug. 19, 2023

Applying Lessons Learned At The Rink To Parenting with John Boruk

In this episode, we delve into legendary sportscaster John Boruk's remarkable journey in the world of hockey and how he seamlessly translates his professional sports experiences into valuable parenting insights. From pre-game...

Listen to the Episode
The Impact of Mentorship, On The Ice And Beyond, With Bill Cahill And Pete Sears
Aug. 12, 2023

The Impact of Mentorship, On The Ice And Beyond, With Bill Cahill And…

Embark on a remarkable journey that started with childhood dreams and culminated in Olympic glory on this week’s episode of Our Kids Play Hockey as we explore the life of Pete Sears, a member of the 1972 US Olympic hockey tea...

Listen to the Episode