The Ride To The Rink Episodes

Ever wondered why elite NHL players almost never miss the net during warm-ups? Its because elite level players players always shoot with a purpose. They know exactly where they want to put the puck each and every time they shoot. In this week's episode of the Ride To The Rink, we highlight the importance of adopting a calculated approach to how you shoot. Lee mentions that shooting aimlessly is a waste of a shot and shares practical advice on shot selection, placement, and more. We also discuss...

Dreams: we all have them, and there always seems to be someone trying to shut them down on us. If you're willing to commit, work hard, and persist, nobody, absolutely no one, has the right to tell you that you can't make it. On this week's episode, we talk about the significance of self-belief, resilience, and undying grit in the journey of chasing your dreams, be it in hockey or any part of life. Throughout this episode, we'll share inspiring stories of those who were told they couldn't make ...

What is something that Carter Hart knows now that he wishes he knew as a youth hockey player? We were able to ask him this to share with you for this week’s episode of The Ride To The Rink. Take a listen before your next practice or game and don’t forget to keep the game fun! 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. Experience the ne...

Kevin Weekes, a former NHL goaltender turned the NHL's top analyst on ESPN and NHL network shares the importance of an unwavering work ethic through stories of his personal journey to demonstrate that hard work pays off. Kevin is a living example of how an insatiable drive and determination can set a strong foundation for a career beyond the rink. Kevin also highlights the power of teamwork, excellence, optimization, potential, discipline, and the indomitable spirit of grit and hunger. He firml...

On this week's Ride To the Rink, Lee shares insights on leadership that extend beyond the badge of honor stitched onto a jersey. Tune in to explore the qualities that make a good leader. We challenge the notion that leadership is confined to those donning the 'C' or 'A', provoking thought on how each team member, regardless of their designated role, can contribute to the team's success. We unpack essential leadership attributes such as trust, communication, accountability, and character, and ho...

Ever wondered why you can't seem to nail that slapshot? Or why your stick handling leaves much to be desired? It could be down to the stick you're using. Mike illuminates the often overlooked, yet crucial world of hockey sticks. From the size and flex to the tape job, he shares demonstrate how the right stick can greatly enhance your performance on the ice and emphasizes that consistency and familiarity with your equipment is key, on and off the ice. We also look into the necessity of taking ca...

Respect is a crucial part of your character and it starts with self-respect - an essential aspect that could actually help to turn around your game. It's easy to overlook the small things like having a good breakfast or making it to school on time, but we challenge you to take a close look at these seemingly insignificant details, because when done consistently they can pave the way for an exceptional display of self-respect. And here's a guarantee - not only will it make you a better athlete, b...

Ever thought about the power of your smile as you enter the rink, or how your simple hello to a teammate can change the atmosphere around you? Mike dives into the concept of deliberate positivity and the profound impact it can have on your team dynamics. We explore the ripple effect of small gestures like a smile or an engaged conversation, and how these can create a positive force that is both beneficial for your mindset and incredibly contagious. We also discuss the importance of standing up ...

Shifting your focus and quieting your mind can feel like an uphill battle, especially when you have a game on the line. What if we told you that with just 10 minutes a day, you could enhance your mental agility to not only ace those games but also tackle daily life challenges with ease? This episode of Ride to the Rink explores the power of mental fitness and how simple practices can considerably improve your performance on and off the ice. From centering your attention on a single object to li...

What if there was a tool that could help you enhance your ice skating skills right in the comfort of your home? Imagine being able to mirror almost everything you do on the ice at any hour of the day. This episode offers just that - a deep dive into the benefits of using a slide board, featuring insights from power skating coaches like Kurt Nichols. Learn how a slide board can help you master balance, strength, cadacity, agility, and much more. This isn't just about repetition - it's about refin...

Ever wondered what it takes to be a 'coachable kid'? Join us on a special road trip edition of "The Ride to the Rink" as hockey mom Christie and her daughter Sophia share their take on the essence of being coachable. Sophia, known for her adaptability on ice, leads us through the importance of being receptive to coaches' guidance, asking the right questions and adjusting game strategies on the fly. As we journey beyond the rink, Sophia sheds light on how a player's image can make a significant ...

Struggling with managing your schedule? Worried about juggling homework and hockey practices, or any other extracurricular activities? If so, we've got a special treat for you. Join Christie and Sophia, for 3 minutes on the go, as we dive into an essential skill that's best learned young - time management. Sophia, recent college hockey graduate, spills the beans on how she kept up with her dual commitments. Sophia makes it all sound so simple with her practical advice: Imagine turning your trav...

What if a simple tap on the pads and a few words of encouragement could make all the difference to a goalie's game? It's not all about what has happened on the ice, it's what is going to happen next. Join us as we chat with the Goalie Doctors, Matt Tendler and Mitch Harris, who share invaluable advice on how to keep your goalie in the game. They’re not just discussing techniques and strategies but highlighting the importance of team support and positive reinforcement in boosting a goalie's perfo...

"Success leaves clues," but are you noticing them? This week, Mike & Lee take a look at the importance of human interaction, emotional awareness, and the power of putting your phone down. We're tackling the concept of seeking out connections with other players and coaches - not just for the growth of the team, but for individual personal development as well. In the latter part of our episode, we dig deeper into making conscious choices to interact with peers, even those you might only meet bri...

Christie and her daughter Sophia check in from their car this week to chat about how you get pumped up before a game!! Leave us a comment on social media with your pre-game pump up routine and/or your favorite song to listen to before you take the ice. 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. Experience the next generation of off-ice...

This week's 5 minute long episode promises to be a game-changer for young skaters and goalies as Lee addresses the importance of expressing gratitude and appreciation to parents or guardians. We're flipping the script on our previous episode that advised parents on the key messages to share with their kids before a game. Now, it's the kids' turn to learn what they can say in return to acknowledge and appreciate their parents' support. We dissect three powerful phrases - 'Thank you for supporti...

"It’s not about doing 100% all the time as much as not doing 0% weeks.” Mike and Lee dive into how to stay active throughout the off-season in any scenario in this week's ride to the rink. Share this with a player or teammate that would benefit from it!! 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. Experience the next generation of off...

In this two minute and ten second episode of The Ride To The Rink, Lee guides you through a pre-skate meditation using your sense of vision and touch to get you centered and focused before your next game or practice! Stay present with us, and have a great skate! Come Back To This Episode Before Every Game Or Practice To Get Present! 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 ...

Reading is a valuable asset for everyone! In this 4 minute episode, Caroline Potolicchio, former Division I hockey player and director of Fan Development for the Washington Capitals, shares how adding reading to your hockey tool belt is important and the resources you have available to you to help you find something to read that interests you! 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 impro...

In this week's under 4 minute episode of The Ride To The Rink, we wanted to share Rick Nash's Advice For Leaders that he shared with Lee and JB Spisso on WIN: Championship Traits For Life via Pivotal Moments Media. Blue Jackets legend and former captain shares details of what he learned when he was given a letter and how leadership is so much deeper than just having it on your sweater. Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! We're powered by NHL Sense Arena! NHL Sense Arena, is a virtual reality t...

In this two minute and ten second episode of The Ride To The Rink, Lee guides you through a pre-skate meditation to get you centered and focused before your next game or practice! Stay present with us, and have a great skate! Come Back To This Episode Before Every Game Or Practice To Get Present! 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 goa...

Do you know a puck hog? Hopefully its not you! In this 2 minute 40 second episode, our favorite hockey mom, Christie Casciano Burns and her daughter, Sophia Burns, a recent graduate and D-1 hockey player, go over some quick tips and questions to know how to spot the puck hog on your team, and how to turn them around to be an asset. Enjoy this Ride to the Rink! Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! We're powered by NHL Sense Arena! NHL Sense Arena, is a virtual reality training game designed spe...

Stop comparing yourself to others! On this 3 minute episode of The Ride To The Rink, Mike and Lee share why its better to be curious about what you can do to become a better hockey player rather than comparing yourself to others. - Identify your own journey - Work on what’s going to give you the upper edge - Develop your own skill set 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 hoc...

Want some quick tips on how to impress your coach? In this 4. min episode, Lee quickly reviews three ways to improve both your communication and your approach in order to benefit everyone involved. ⁃Great questions demand great answers ⁃Phrase questions with intention ⁃Be accountable to feedback 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 goal...