Our Kids Play Hockey Episodes

Imagine being the Captain of multiple teams, being a senior in high school, owning and operating two companies, all while trying to earn the gaze of colleges and scouts. Our guest today is doing just that. Max Rutkowski is an...

Discover a fresh perspective on youth hockey success in this episode. We delve into an unconventional approach that prioritizes personal growth over the final score. By shifting the focus away from just the outcome of winning...

Ever wondered how one woman could change the game of ice hockey? Let me introduce you to our guest, Michelle Billingsley, a true pioneer in women's ice hockey. In our conversation, Michelle narrates her groundbreaking experie...

One of our most popular episodes was titled “3 things to say to your kids before they take the ice.” Today we are reversing it. Here’s “3 things your kids should say to you before they take the ice.” Grab your kids, grab some...

Ever wonder how NHL players workout their minds? Our guest this week, Dr. Alicia Naser, is an expert behavioral coach for pro athletes who works with NHL, junior and collegiate athletes and coaches, amongst others, to build m...

Imagine playing in D1 college, the world junior championships (and winning gold) and then competing in the Olympics in just 5 years. Then having an NHL and international career after. Our guest, Adrien Plavsic, did just that....

There are a lot of ways to have a professional career in hockey aside from playing. Our guest this week, Caroline Potolicchio, is a former Division 1 hockey player and is the current Director of Fan Development for the Washin...

Matteau! (I’m not gonna shout it more than that). We are honored to be joined this week by NHL Alum and NY Rangers Legend Stéphane Matteau. In this episode we dive into the trials and tribulations of being hockey Dad to two c...

It’s the question almost every hockey parent wants to know, “how do you spot talent at a young age?” In this episode Mike and Lee answer and explore the question while providing listeners with actionable items to make sure th...

Every chapter in this man’s book could be an episode title for one of our episodes. So naturally you are gonna love this episode. Tim Cook played hockey at an extremely high level and now coaches at a high level in Northern N...

Hockey has evolved more than most realize over the past decade. Boo Nieves (Former NY Ranger) has seen a lot of these changes first hand during his career and as a coach/trainer at his gym, Top Line Hockey. In this episode we...

How can you use the NHL playoffs as a coaching tool for your young athletes? We discuss the lessons that can be learned just from watching professional athletes perform in a high-stress environment like the playoffs, the ment...

A lot of us want to change the game, but where do you start? Our guest today may be the perfect answer. John O’Sullivan is an award winning author, acclaimed speaker and the founder of the “Changing the Game Project” which ha...

Imagine being thrown into net during an NHL game without any warm-up and very little heads up. Our guest, David Ayres, did just that - and won. Many of you will remember when he took over our hockey news feeds for a short tim...

Who does your child get their work ethic from? In the Carmichael-Hart household there’s no shortage of examples of hard work for their children. Lauren Hart and Todd Carmichael are both Philadelphia legends in their own right...

How do you decide what kind of coach is the right fit for your kid? Mike and Lee breakdown some of the best qualities to look for when joining a new hockey program. Do you need a Level-5 USA Hockey instructor or is a parent v...

How would you summarize the 2023 youth hockey season? As this season comes to a close, we talk about moving up (or graduating - CONGRATS Sophia and Christie!!!), thoughts on coaching styles, adversities conquered, coaches gif...

Are you on the path to college hockey? Topher Scott and Jeff LoVecchio of The Hockey Think Tank podcast talk with us this week about what you can do to set yourself up for success when working towards college hockey. Both Top...

Is your kid(s) moving to the next age level this coming season? The gang dives right into how to prepare for that on this week’s episode of Our Kids Play Hockey. -- Hockey friends and families, we need your help! We have been...

Should we be taking a break this spring? It’s a question that’s on the minds of a lot of hockey families right now. Ask yourself - Do YOU want a break? Does your kid want a break? Its okay to take time away from the ice if yo...

Coaches are only as great as the standards they keep for themselves and their teams. Aaron Wilbur’s work as the founder of The Coaches Site is no exception. In addition to educating hockey coaches on the tactics of the game, ...

The echoes of a hockey game played 43 years ago today still reverberate. There’s a reason the U.S.A. defeating the USSR in 1980 was selected as the most significant sports moment of the 20th century. It lifted a team, a town ...

Youth hockey is stressful on us as parents and coaches, imagine how it must feel for the kids! 😳 Scott Kelsey is a former pro and shared with us how his journey in the game taught him how to approach Youth Hockey as: 🧭 A Jour...

Tryout & evaluation season is upon us! It’s a weird time. 😳 It’s a stressful time. 🙃 It’s an important time. 🏒 (Trust us, we know) The gang shares as many tips and tricks on how to navigate this time of year as calmly as poss...