Our Kids Play Hockey Episodes

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 the NHL and witnessing the importance of mental fitness to pro players, and Paula McQuaid serves as a mental performance consultant for Hockey Canada's Women's u-18 National team. She has won two golds, silver and bronze medals with the team in IIHF World Championships sinc...

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 behind multiple successful Nothing Bundt Cakes locations, and the mother of four young, lively hockey players (two goalies, a defenseman, and a mite!). Her story is not just inspiring; it's a testament to the power of resilience, passion, and an unwavering positive attitude. K...

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 invention, Duzter Armor, has acquired the official nod for use in NHL games, and their product range now includes junior sizes. To recap our original conversation with Martin - this isn’t just your run-of-the-mill protective garment; Duzter Armor offers an added layer of safe...

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 practices can shape not only the player's attitudes on the ice but also their personal growth off it. As we dive deeper, we warn of creating a self-centered player at the expense of a team ethos. Instead of cash incentives, we advocate for recognizing well-rounded team pla...

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 preparation, revealing the complexities of handling five divisions and the relentless attention to detail a tournament of this caliber needs. The episode also sheds light on the burgeoning growth of girls' hockey, and Eric's ambitious goal of establishing a state championship for gir...

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 experiences of the child factor in. We specifically dissect the controversies around the 12U mark, pondering the pros and cons of continued parental involvement in coaching. We also venture into the realm of autonomy in youth sports. The spotlight here is on the evolving game o...

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 strategies for coaches and parents alike, on how to manage the emotions that come with competition, and how to start the season off in a manner that keeps the game exciting and engaging for the players. We reveal the secrets of nurturing a competitive culture within a team, from s...

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 analyses to post-game reflections, John provides a unique and insightful perspective. He shares his conversations with hockey parents, underscoring the importance of fostering players' ambition and personal growth. Drawing from his interactions with Canadian players, he re...

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 team, alongside his close friend, mentee, and fellow hockey enthusiast, Bill Cahill. Pete and Bill share their lifelong passion for hockey and the profound impact that mentorship has had on their paths. This isn't just a story of sports; it's a tale of friendship, resilience, ...

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 extraordinary high school senior juggling the responsibilities of being a hockey team captain (on TWO teams) while also running his own businesses. Max's story is a true testament to perseverance and determination. Through his experiences on the ice, he has honed a unique...

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, we explore how a mindset of discovering multiple wins can benefit young hockey players, reducing anxiety and enhancing performance. Drawing inspiration from legendary athletes like Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky, we explore the power of being in the moment and how it po...

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 experience of being the first girl to join a boys-only league, an event that ignited her lifelong commitment to promoting and advancing opportunities for girls and women in this sport. From coaching at the NCAA level to co-founding Women's Hockey United, Michelle has continually br...

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 Kool-Aid, and enjoy this one. P.S. Kids - we are giving you the secrets to post game slurpees and treats after every game. Listen up! Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! We're powered by NHL Sense Arena! NHL Sense Arena, is a virtual reality training game designed speci...

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 mindset skills, emotional agility and other mental skills to help athletes succeed. There a lot of gold in this episode. It’s a great one to listen to with kids. Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! We're powered by NHL Sense Arena! NHL Sense Arena, is a virtual reality tra...

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. But above and beyond that impressive hockey resume, he is a great person who is dedicated to helping others. You will hear about how he has dedicated his life to the mental fitness space and discuss how as a child he used his imagination (or what he now knows is visualiza...

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 Washington Capitals where she oversees many aspects of hockey in the DC area including working closely with the Cap’s youth development department with a major focus on education. This is an awesome listen for anyone that dreams to work in the game one day. Text The Our Kids Pl...

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 children who both played pro hockey in addition to serious talk about how he is working with local youth groups to discuss anxiety and depression, something he has dealt with his whole life. For you Ranger fans out there, Stéphane officially ranks where his famous game 7 OT...

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 they progress in their hockey journey. Remember to share this episode with your hockey family and friends and join our private Facebook group “Our Kids Play Hockey.” Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! We're powered by NHL Sense Arena! NHL Sense Arena, is a virtual reality ...

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 New Jersey. We were ecstatic to have him on as a guest this week! Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! We're powered by NHL Sense Arena! NHL Sense Arena, is a virtual reality training game designed specifically to improve hockey sense and IQ for both players and goalies. Ex...

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 discuss how youth players must grow their games beyond just the talent needed to play if they want to be successful. Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! We're powered by NHL Sense Arena! NHL Sense Arena, is a virtual reality training game designed specifically to improve ...

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 mental side of the game, and how to react in high-tension situations. We also stress the importance of parents and coaches discussing the adversity, successes, and failures of pro-athletes with their children as they can be easily equated to their own playing experiences. Text...

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 has taken some incredible steps to push the conversation forward in youth sports. You’re not gonna wanna miss this one. Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! We're powered by NHL Sense Arena! NHL Sense Arena, is a virtual reality training game designed specifically to improve...

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 time in 2020 after he stepped into a game for the Carolina Hurricanes as an EBUG. On today’s episode of Our Kids Play Goalie, we dive in deeper beyond that moment and into David’s life as a hockey coach to explore his thoughts on the importance of preparation and a coach's rol...

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, but beyond all their personal accolades they are hockey parents - and that’s exactly what we brought them on our show to talk about. -- Look what y'all did! Our Kids Play Hockey has been named the BEST HOCKEY PODCAST of 2022 and it's all thanks to our amazing community! ...