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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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

"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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Expert Goalie Coaches Matt Tendler and Mitch Harris have built something that goes way beyond the crease for goaltenders in the South-East Pennsylvania area. We discuss mental fitness training, emulating other goaltenders, the need for fundamentals, and even goalie parent education on this episode. It is a longer episode, but be sure to leave us some feedback or questions for the next time we’re able to welcome Matt and Mitch to the show! You can find more about what they do by visiting www.g...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

This is one you will want to listen to with your kids. Carter Hart, starting goaltender for the Philadelphia Flyers and World Junior Championship Gold Medalist joined us for a chat filled with valuable insight for youth hockey skaters and goalies alike. We spoke about how professionals must stay present to be at their best, how sharing a team first mentality with great communication creates results, and how NHL players don’t like the word "rebuild.” Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! We're p...

Do you take the time to pack your bag like a pro, or do you just grab and go? In this 5 minute episode, Mike shares a pro-level equipment preparation routine to help you be ready to go for every 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 specifically to improve hockey sense and IQ for both players and goalies. Experience the next generation of off-ice training in VR with over 100+ drills a...

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 ...

Are you a hockey player who experiences nervousness or anxiety before games? Want to learn how to channel those feelings into a winning mindset? This week on "The Ride to the Rink" Lee shares powerful strategies to conquer pre-game jitters, stay present, and focus on what you can control. Discover how to use those tactics to further your potential on the ice and redefine your identity beyond the game's outcome. This 3.5 minute episode has valuable insights and practical advice. Buckle up and ta...