The Ride To The Rink Episodes

🏒 Our Kids Play Hockey is growing — and this micro edition is all about YOU. In this quick community update, Lee shares some exciting new ways hockey families, players, coaches, and listeners around the world can experience, connect with, and support the show. From video episodes now available on Apple Podcasts to a new and improved way to send fan mail, voicemails, hockey questions, team shout-outs, and future episode ideas, this update is all about making Our Kids Play Hockey even more inte...

🎥 Most young hockey players watch highlights. The best players? They study the game. On this episode of The Ride To The Rink, Lee, Christie, and Mike welcome former pro player and youth coach Scott Howes for an important conversation about one of the most overlooked skills in hockey: Hockey IQ. From learning how to watch games with purpose to breaking down your own shifts on video, Scott shares practical advice every young player can start using immediately — no extra ice time required. This ...

🏒 Thinking about moving up to the next level in hockey? Before you decide… listen to this. On this episode of The Ride to the Rink, Christie, Mike, and Lee tackle a question so many young players (and parents) face: Should you move up to a higher team—or stay where you are? It’s exciting to be recognized for your talent. But is moving up always the right move? This conversation is all about helping YOU take ownership of your hockey journey—because your voice matters more than you think. 🔑...

🚗💭 Ever hear something from your parents right before a game… and it just doesn’t sit right? On this episode of The Ride To The Rink, we’re diving into the messages players hear before they step out of the car—and how those words can impact confidence, nerves, and performance. Here’s the truth: your parents care. A lot. ❤️ But sometimes, even well-meaning words can add pressure instead of helping you play your best. So what can you do about it? 🎯 In this episode, we break down: The 3 mo...

🧠 This might not be your favorite hockey topic… but it could be the most important one you ever hear. On this Ride to the Rink, we’re talking about something every player needs to understand: concussions. With the help of concussion expert Dr. Baric (myconcussiondr.com), we break down what actually happens when you take a hit to the head—and why speaking up could protect your entire hockey future. 💥 You’ll learn: What a concussion really is (in simple terms)The signs your body gives you when ...

🏒 What if the most important thing you do for your team today…has nothing to do with hockey skills? In this powerful Ride to the Rink episode, Lee, Mike, and Christie are joined by Rob to talk about a simple idea that’s making a BIG impact across hockey: the “Shoulder Check.” It’s not about looking over your shoulder on the ice—it’s about checking in on the people around you. Because the truth is, you never know what a teammate might be going through. 💬 Inspired and supported by NHL players l...

🏒 What does it really take to show up every single day—no matter what? This week on The Ride to the Rink, Lee and Mike are joined by former NHL defenseman Karl Alzner, who played an incredible 428 consecutive NHL games. 🤯 But this conversation isn’t about stats—it’s about mindset, toughness, and understanding your body. Karl shares what it takes to stay consistent at the highest level, how to handle bumps and bruises, and—most importantly—how young players can learn the difference between bei...

🏒 Want to score more goals? It might be simpler—and tougher—than you think. On this episode of The Ride to the Rink, we’re joined by former NHLer and Stanley Cup Champion Mike Knuble, a player who made a career out of doing the hard things: going to the net, battling in tough areas, and evolving his game year after year. Mike shares a powerful mindset shift that every young player needs to hear: if you want more goals, you have to go where the goals actually happen. 💥 In this episode, we cove...

🏒 Ever walk off the ice feeling like you were either the best player out there… or the worst? This week on The Ride to the Rink, we’re joined by former NHL star Bobby Ryan (800+ NHL games, 2nd overall draft pick) to talk about one of the most important skills young players can develop: how to reflect, reset, and get better—without being too hard on yourself. Bobby shares a simple but powerful mindset that every hockey player (and parent) needs to hear. 🔑 In This Episode: Why you’re never as g...

🏒 What’s the one thing every young hockey player can control every single day? On this Ride to the Rink, the hosts are joined by 17-year NHL veteran Scott Hartnell, who shares the mindset that helped him build a long, successful NHL career. Growing up as the youngest of three hockey-playing brothers, Hartnell learned early what it meant to compete, battle, and push himself just to keep up. Those backyard games, bumps and bruises, and sibling rivalries helped shape the hardworking style that d...

🚗 Heading to a hockey tryout or evaluation? Take a deep breath — this Ride to the Rink is exactly what you need to hear. Evaluations can bring out a lot of emotions: excitement, nerves, pressure, and sometimes even fear. But the truth is, a great tryout isn’t about doing something flashy or trying to be someone you’re not. It’s about preparation, mindset, and showing coaches the best version of YOU. In this episode of The Ride to the Rink, the guys break down how young hockey players should app...

🚨 Think tryouts start on evaluation day? Think again. If you’re heading to a pre-skate or ID skate, this episode is your mindset reset before you walk through those rink doors. Lee and Mike break down what these “tryout before the tryout” skates really are — and more importantly, how YOU should approach them. Because here’s the truth: it’s not just about what you do on the ice… it’s who you are from the parking lot to the final whistle. In this episode, we talk about: 🏒 What coaches are reall...

🚨 Parents — this one’s for you. 🚨 Tryout season is here. Emotions are high. FOMO is real. And decisions made right now can shape your child’s hockey journey for years to come. In this special Parent Edition of The Ride to the Rink, Lee and Mike Bonelli flip the script and ask the kids to turn to YOU and say: “Are you listening?” Because when it comes to hockey evals, team jumping, chasing elite labels, and negotiating during tryouts… parents matter more than anyone. Mike brings the perspectiv...

🏒 What would an Olympian tell her 10-year-old self? On this episode of The Ride to the Rink, we get something special — two Olympians talking directly to young hockey players. Haley Winn joins Hayley Scamurra, Lee Elias, and Mike Bonelli for a powerful conversation about confidence, development, rest, and what really matters if you dream of playing at the highest level. If you're a young player chasing big goals — or a parent supporting one — this episode is your reminder that the journey mat...

🏒 What if the most important hockey development tool isn’t a skills coach… but a backyard rink? This week on The Ride to the Rink, Lee and Mike are joined by Stanley Cup Finalist, Team USA alum, and all-around great human Ryan Carter — and he’s taking us back to where it all started. Not in a fancy arena. Not at an elite showcase. But on a Minnesota cul-de-sac with a tennis ball. Ryan shares how street hockey, outdoor rinks, and unstructured play shaped his hands, his hockey IQ, h...

📊 Stats. Love them. Hate them. Ignore them. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, one thing is certain — statistics are part of hockey, and how you use them can shape your growth as a player. On this episode of The Ride to the Rink, Mike and Lee dive into one of the most emotional and misunderstood parts of the game: hockey stats. Goals, assists, plus-minus, turnovers, save percentage — they can motivate you, frustrate you, or even expose parts of your game you’d rather not see. 🚨 But here...

🚗💬 What if getting better at hockey isn’t about going faster — but about slowing down? On this Ride to the Rink, we pull one of the most important messages from our Our Kids Play Hockey conversation with Pavel Barber and turn it into a lesson every hockey family needs to hear. Pavel shares why today’s kids are more skilled than ever, why their ceilings are higher than they realize, and why comparison — especially on social media — can quietly derail confidence and development. This isn’t abou...

🚗💨 Kids, buckle up — this one’s special. On this episode of The Ride to the Rink, we’re joined by one of the most creative and recognizable puck handlers in the world — Pavel Barber. If you’ve ever dreamed of dangling like the pros, pulling off trick shots, or making defenders look silly… Pavel is here to tell you what actually matters most when it comes to getting better at hockey. And spoiler alert: it’s not the tricks. 🏒 In this episode, Pavel shares: Why skating and edge work matter more ...

🏒 The season is winding down… but the work isn’t over yet. As playoffs approach — or the final games come into view — this episode of The Ride to the Rink is all about how you finish. Because whether you’re chasing a championship or counting down the last few skates, the habits you build right now matter more than you think. In this solo ride, Lee shares the exact messages he’s delivering to teams across age groups as the season enters its final stretch — lessons that apply no matter where yo...

🚗 What if your best shift actually starts before you step on the ice? On this episode of The Ride to the Rink, Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli are joined by mindset coach Sandy Cohan to talk about something every player can control — how you prepare mentally on the way to the rink. Too many players think they can just flip a switch once the puck drops. The truth? Your competitive engine needs to be warmed up before you lace up your skates. 💡 In this ride, we break down: 🧠 Why your brain doesn’t un...

🚗💨 What if not being “identified” as a top player early… actually worked in your favor? On this episode of The Ride to The Rink, Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli are joined by their good friend Matt Dumouchelle, creator of Hockey Factories and a global student of hockey development. Matt has traveled the world studying how different countries develop players — and what he’s learned challenges a lot of the North American mindset around early selection, elite teams, and “being picked.” Together, they...

🧠 What if your thoughts and emotions were actually your biggest teammates? On this episode of The Ride to The Rink, hosts Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli are joined live from Sweden by sports psychology experts Johan Fallby and Henrik Cronebäck for a powerful conversation just for young hockey players. Together, they break down simple, practical mental fitness tools kids can use: On the way to practice 🚌Before a big game 🏒Even before a test at school 📚💡 You’ll learn why feeling nervous is complete...

🎙️ Hockey friends and family — Happy Holidays from our team! In this special, lighthearted holiday episode, Christie Casciano is joined by her two favorite cohosts, Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli for a festive check-in with the Our Kids Play Hockey community. Between laughs, movie references, and holiday banter, the trio delivers an important reminder parents and players often need to hear this time of year: it’s okay to step back, say no, and simply enjoy the season. Whether your ...

🎮 What if your love of hockey could become a lifelong career… even if you’re still a kid? On today’s Ride to the Rink, Lee, Mike, and Christie are joined by Nick Bowins, founder of Working in Hockey, to open young players’ eyes to just how many opportunities exist beyond playing the game. Whether you love video games, math, technology, social media, photography, coaching, or just being around the rink — there’s a path for you in hockey. Nick shares real examples and powerful reminders that th...