The Ride To The Rink Episodes

These episodes are recorded specifically for the youth hockey players who are looking to sharpen their edges on the way to their games and practices. Tune in for motivation and advice from the Our Kids Play Hockey team and legends from in and around the game of hockey.
The Ride To The Rink - Mastering the Goalie Mindset with Olympian Sami Small
May 8, 2025

The Ride To The Rink - Mastering the Goalie Mindset with Olympian Sam…

🏒 Ever wondered what it takes to create a winning goalie partnership in youth hockey? Discover the secrets behind successful team dynamics with insights from Olympian Sami Small on "Ride to the Rink." This episode is packed with valuable advice for young players and coaches, emphasizing the power o…

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The Ride to The Rink: Why You Need To Play Your Role with Zac Rinaldo
April 30, 2025

The Ride to The Rink: Why You Need To Play Your Role with Zac Rinaldo

What’s your role on the ice—and how can you lean into it, even if it’s not the one you wanted ? In this Ride to the Rink, NHL veteran and current youth coach Zac Rinaldo shares real-world advice for players navigating team dy...

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The Ride To The Rink: Adversity Is a Privilege: What Getting Cut Teaches You – With Tessa Bonhomme
April 28, 2025

The Ride To The Rink: Adversity Is a Privilege: What Getting Cut Teac…

Getting cut from a team hurts—but it doesn’t define your future. Olympic gold medalist and broadcaster Tessa Bonhomme joins The Ride to the Rink to deliver an inspiring message to every young player who didn’t make the team t...

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The Ride To The Rink: Building Your Off-Season Hockey Habits
April 24, 2025

The Ride To The Rink: Building Your Off-Season Hockey Habits

The birds are chirping, the season’s winding down—and that means it’s the perfect time to start thinking about how to build a better hockey player this off-season. In this episode of Ride to the Rink , Lee and Mike dive into ...

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The Ride to The Rink: You Don’t Need Permission to Dream Big
April 16, 2025

The Ride to The Rink: You Don’t Need Permission to Dream Big

“Why You Should Never Let Anyone Tell You ‘You Won’t Make It’” On this ride, Lee, Christie, and Mike get real about one of the most common — and harmful — things kids in hockey (and beyond) hear: “You’ll never make it.” Wheth...

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The Ride To The Rink - Reflecting on Your Hockey Season: A Player's Guide
April 9, 2025

The Ride To The Rink - Reflecting on Your Hockey Season: A Player's G…

As the hockey season wraps up, it’s time to hit pause—and look back. In this episode of The Ride to the Rink , Lee MJ Elias and Mike Bonelli team up to help young players reflect on their season the right way. Whether you hoi...

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The Ride To The Rink: Turning Mistakes into Fuel for Momentum with Danielle McDonough
April 2, 2025

The Ride To The Rink: Turning Mistakes into Fuel for Momentum with Da…

In this episode of The Ride to the Rink , we’re joined by mental performance coach and former professional hockey player Danielle McDonough to help young athletes develop a winning mindset before they even step onto the ice. ...

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The Ride To The Rink: Unlocking Your Game by Talking About Your Feelings with Jon Nelson
March 26, 2025

The Ride To The Rink: Unlocking Your Game by Talking About Your Feeli…

On this episode of The Ride to the Rink , we’re joined by Jon Nelson , a hockey coach and mental health advocate, to talk about the highs and lows of a hockey season and what to do when you’re feeling down. 🏒 How to recognize...

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The Ride to the Rink - Winning Strategies for Youth Hockey Players with the Bruins' Kevin Neeld
March 19, 2025

The Ride to the Rink - Winning Strategies for Youth Hockey Players wi…

Are you fueling your game with the right habits? 🏒 Discover how sleep and nutrition can transform your performance on the ice! Hosts Lee MJ Elias and Christie Casciano team up with NHL performance coach Kevin Neeld to share e...

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The Ride to The Rink - How to Prepare and Perform Your Best for Tryouts and Evaluations
March 12, 2025

The Ride to The Rink - How to Prepare and Perform Your Best for Tryou…

Tryout season is here, and whether you’re heading to the rink feeling confident or battling nerves, we’re here to help you approach it with the right mindset. In this episode of The Ride to the Rink , Lee, Mike, and Sherry br...

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The Ride to The Rink - Work Hard, Be Kind & Stay Curious with Lindsay Pennal
March 11, 2025

The Ride to The Rink - Work Hard, Be Kind & Stay Curious with Lindsay…

🏒 Ever wondered what it takes to succeed both on and off the ice? Lindsay Pennal from the NHL Coaches Association shares her insights on achieving success in hockey and beyond. With hosts Lee MJ Elias and Sheri Hudspeth, this...

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The Ride To The Rink: Feel Good, Play Good: Mastering Your Hockey Equipment
March 5, 2025

The Ride To The Rink: Feel Good, Play Good: Mastering Your Hockey Equ…

Are you ready to elevate your hockey game by practicing like a pro? 🏒 This week's "Ride to the Rink" dives into the essentials of equipment usage and safety gear, ensuring young players and their parents are well-prepared for...

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The Ride to the Rink - Should You Play Spring Hockey? 🏒
Feb. 27, 2025

The Ride to the Rink - Should You Play Spring Hockey? 🏒

Spring is here! As the temperatures rise and the ice starts to melt, you might be wondering: Should I keep playing hockey in the spring, or is it okay to take a break? In this episode, Lee MJ Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Sherry H...

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The Ride To The Rink - Pressure is a Privilege with Coach Vinny Malts
Feb. 25, 2025

The Ride To The Rink - Pressure is a Privilege with Coach Vinny Malts

🚨 Feeling the pressure before a big game? You’re not alone. But what if we told you that pressure is actually a privilege ? In this episode, mental performance coach Vinny Malts —who works with NHL players and teams—joins us ...

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The Ride To The Rink - The Game Changing Power of Positive Body Language
Feb. 13, 2025

The Ride To The Rink - The Game Changing Power of Positive Body Langu…

In this episode of The Ride to the Rink , Lee and Mike discuss the often-overlooked power of positive body language in hockey. While much attention is given to avoiding negative habits like sulking or smashing sticks, this ep...

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The Ride To The Rink - Supporting Yourself & Your Teammates with Kendra Fisher
Feb. 11, 2025

The Ride To The Rink - Supporting Yourself & Your Teammates with Kend…

Hockey is more than just a game—it’s a team, a family, and a place where players support one another both on and off the ice. In this episode of The Ride to the Rink , we welcome world-class hockey player and mental health ad...

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The Ride to The Rink - Wearing the Logo with Pride
Feb. 6, 2025

The Ride to The Rink - Wearing the Logo with Pride

What does it take to become a great hockey player—and a great teammate? In this episode of The Ride to the Rink episode, Lee Elias, Christie Casciano Burns, and Mike Bonelli are joined by Matt Dumouchelle, author of the Hocke...

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The Ride To The Rink - Cherie Piper on Chasing Your Goals
Jan. 28, 2025

The Ride To The Rink - Cherie Piper on Chasing Your Goals

In this episode of The Ride to the Rink , three-time Olympic gold medalist Cherie Piper shares wisdom for young hockey players chasing their dreams. Whether your goal is to play in the PWHL, make it to the NHL, or pursue exce...

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The Ride To The Rink - Don’t Let 12 Seconds Define Your Game
Jan. 23, 2025

The Ride To The Rink - Don’t Let 12 Seconds Define Your Game

In this week's episode of Ride to the Rink , Lee and Mike dive into a crucial lesson for young players: how to keep your emotions in check and stay present, no matter what happens on the ice. Using relatable examples and prac...

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The Ride To The Rink - Overcoming Obstacles In Youth Hockey with NHLer Chris Therien
Jan. 16, 2025

The Ride To The Rink - Overcoming Obstacles In Youth Hockey with NHLe…

How do you bounce back from massive adversity in your life? On today’s episode of Ride to the Rink , NHL veteran Chris Therien joins Lee, Christie, and Mike to inspire young players with wisdom drawn from his 12-year professi...

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The Ride To The Rink - The Bonelli Blueprint for Crushing Your Hockey Goals
Jan. 9, 2025

The Ride To The Rink - The Bonelli Blueprint for Crushing Your Hockey…

Are you ready to elevate your hockey game and finish this season strong? On this episode of "The Ride to the Rink" hosts Lee and Mike share motivational strategies to help young players enhance their skills and performance in...

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The Ride To The Rink - Resetting Your Hockey Goals for the New Year
Jan. 7, 2025

The Ride To The Rink - Resetting Your Hockey Goals for the New Year

Are you skating into 2025 with a fresh perspective? On this episode of "The Ride to the Rink," host Lee Elias offers a motivational boost for players looking to reset and refocus as the new year unfolds. Lee encourages listen...

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The Ride To The Rink - Resetting Your Hockey Routine After Winter Break
Jan. 2, 2025

The Ride To The Rink - Resetting Your Hockey Routine After Winter Bre…

Are you ready to jump back into the swing of things after a long winter break? In this episode of "Ride to the Rink," hosts Christie Casciano-Burns, Lee MJ Elias, and Mike Bonelli provide essential guidance for young hockey p...

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The Ride To The Rink - Happy Holidays From Our Team To Yours!
Dec. 26, 2024

The Ride To The Rink - Happy Holidays From Our Team To Yours!

Happy Holidays from the Our Kids Play Hockey team! On today’s episode of The Ride To The Rink, Lee, Christie, Mike, and Sheri share their advice for kids as they celebrate the holidays. From taking care of your gear, to havin...

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