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🎧 Want to become a better hockey player before you even step onto the ice? Today’s Ride to the Rink is a special one — because cognitive performance coach Satoshi Takano joins Lee, Christie, and Mike to share simple, game-changing ways kids can think faster, scan better, and make smarter decisions on the ice. Young players often focus on chasing the puck or scoring the goal… but what about the other 95–98% of the game when the puck isn’t on your stick? Satoshi breaks it all down in a way kids c...

Welcome to this week’s Wraparound Roundtable, where the game meets grit and grassroots passion. We’re joined by Will Stephens — founder of Trailer Park Sports Network — a one‑man media machine operating out of a trailer in North Alabama, with a mission to grow hockey (and other under‑the‑radar sports) in nontraditional markets. Once a skeptic, Will became a fan of the game after witnessing the intensity of the 4 Nations Face-Off — and that moment flipped a switch. Since then, he’s used roller h...

This week on The Wraparound Roundtable, we’re honored to welcome Katie Cummings — a women’s hockey forward whose journey from a non‑traditional hockey market in Nashville all the way to collegiate ice proves that passion and perseverance break barriers. From starting hockey at age 12 as one of just a few girls in her area, to logging basement stick‑handling hours to catch up — Katie opens up about what it truly takes to chase the dream when the odds aren’t stacked in your favor. She also talks ...

🎧 Ever wonder what it actually looks like when a pro athlete is chasing an Olympic roster spot? In this new Ride To The Rink episode, Lee Elias checks back in with Team USA forward and PWHL Montreal star Hayley Scamurra — and a lot has happened since her last update. From moving cities twice, to training with Team USA, to preparing for the Rivalry Series, to staying grounded while chasing her Olympic dream… Hayley opens up about the realities behind the scenes — the excitement, the pressure, th...

🧠 What if the biggest advantage your young hockey player could gain… wasn’t on their stick, but in their mind? This week on Our Kids Play Hockey, we dive deep into one of the most misunderstood and under-trained parts of the game: Hockey IQ — the ability to read, decide, anticipate, and act faster than the play itself. And joining us is one of the world’s leading innovators in cognitive performance for athletes: Satoshi Takano, founder of ReactForge Cognitive Performance Institute and the creat...

🧼 Hockey kids… we love you. But some of you stink. And today, we’re tackling a topic every parent is cheering for and every young player needs to hear: HYGIENE. Don’t panic. Don’t turn us off. This one’s going to help you stay healthy, stay in the lineup, and yes… stop clearing the bench with your gear odor. In this Ride to the Rink, Lee and Mike break down why taking care of your body isn’t just a “parent rule” — it’s a hockey advantage. From brushing your teeth to washing your gear to actuall...

This week on The Wraparound Roundtable, we sit down with Ryan Beckmann — father, coach, mental health advocate, and founder of The Last Save and Ultimate Goalie Showdown — to explore how hockey became the pathway for his recovery and his mission to help others heal. From ICU hospital visits to launching nationwide events with NHL players, Ryan shares how pain shaped his purpose — and how he’s using the sport to support families and individuals battling mental health and addiction. 📌 In this ep...

This week on the Wraparound Roundtable, we sit down with Danny Bdzoch, the creative mind behind DB16 Media, known for his viral 711 jersey shoot, custom gear concepts, and wildly unique content that’s capturing the spirit of hockey one post at a time. Danny shares how a Christmas GoPro turned into a content career, why authenticity beats algorithm, and how he balances fun, fandom, and originality — all while fielding DMs from major brands and fans begging for his custom jerseys. 📌 In this epis...

💥 Is Women’s Hockey Becoming a Full-Contact Sport? Let’s Talk About It. In today’s episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, Lee and PWHL/Team USA forward Hayley Scamurra dive into one of the most talked-about topics in the sport right now: physicality, checking, and the evolution of competitive contact in women’s hockey. With the PWHL playing faster and more physical than ever, parents and coaches everywhere are asking: ➡️ Should girls start learning how to hit earlier? ➡️ What counts as competitiv...

🎙️ Ever felt like there are too many voices on your child’s hockey bench? This mailbag episode might hit close to home. Lee, Christie, and Mike dive into a letter from a parent-coach navigating a situation many families know all too well — four coaches on the bench, nonstop yelling during games, and a sidelined head coach who isn’t guiding the staff. The result? Chaos, confusion, and kids who don’t know who to listen to. In this honest and relatable conversation, our hosts unpack: ✨ Why “one vo...

This one’s for the hockey gearheads and budget-savvy parents! In this episode, Lee introduces Mode Hockey, a brand creating elite-level sticks specifically built for youth players. With correct flex, shaft size, and kid-friendly curves, these true one-piece sticks are ideal for mites to intermediates. And right now, it’s BOGO on all sticks—no code needed! 🪄 Pro-quality sticks without the pro price tag. 🔗 Visit: ModeHockey.com Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Have A Topic You Want Us ...

Transform your hockey home setup with this incredible Black Friday deal from Ultimate Hockey Fans! From custom ceiling fans to lamps and wall art, these one-of-a-kind heirlooms bring hockey fandom to life. Lee highlights how his own family uses these amazing pieces and shares an exclusive 35% off code (UHF35)—the deepest discount they’ve ever offered! 🏒 Light up your home like a true hockey fan. 🔗 Visit: UltimateHockeyFans.com 🔑 Use Code: UHF35 Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Have...

Looking for the ideal hockey gift for a young player or new hockey family? In this micro-episode, Lee introduces Twig & Biscuit: Learn to Play Hockey, an award-winning children’s book co-authored with Paul Cohen. Perfect for ages 4–8, this beautifully illustrated book walks new players through getting dressed for the game. Plus, discover bonus merch like puck lamps and equipment checklists—only at TwigBiscuit.com! 🎁 Support small businesses AND the show this season! 🔗 Visit: TwigBiscuit.com Cli...

Get ready to protect your sticks and your wallet this holiday season! In this special episode, Lee Elias shares a limited-time deal from Hockey Wraparound, the industry leader in off-ice stick protection. For four days only, you can get 25% off all Wraparound and Green Biscuit products—no code needed! Learn how this family-owned business is helping players train smarter and save money, and how supporting it helps keep Our Kids Play Hockey going strong. 🔗 Visit: HockeyWrapAround.com Click To Tex...

🍁 This week, we’re giving thanks — for YOU, our listeners, our incredible hockey community, and the five amazing years of Our Kids Play Hockey! Join hosts Lee Elias, Christy Casciano-Burns, and Mike Bonelli for a heartwarming Thanksgiving special that’s all about gratitude, laughter, and celebrating how far this podcast (and our hockey families) have come. In this special holiday edition, the team shares: ✨ Reflections on five years of growing the OKPH community ✨ Heartfelt gratitude for listen...

This week, Our Kids Play Hockey is taking a brief break from the Wraparound Roundtable giveaway series to celebrate the holiday season and encourage our community to support small and medium-sized hockey businesses. While there’s no weekly giveaway this week, the grand prize is still on its way, and the full series continues soon! 🎁 Holiday Shoutouts: HockeyWrapAround.com – The original wraparound blade protector. TwigBiscuit.com – Our brand-new youth book series, perfect for new hockey famil...

🔥 Is “a hockey-life balance” even real—or is it just about priorities? This week on Our Girls Play Hockey, Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and PWHL star Hayley Scamurra dig into one of the biggest questions families face: how do young athletes juggle hockey, school, family, and downtime without burning out? From missed school dances and long road trips to the reality of puberty and injuries, Hayley shares her honest experience growing up in hockey—and what she wishes she knew about balance, rest, an...

🚗 Every hockey parent has been there. The game ends, emotions run high, and before you know it — the “coaching” starts before the gear’s even off. In one of our most revisited and requested topics, Lee, Mike, and Christie return to a fan-favorite message: the car ride is STILL not for coaching. In this heartfelt follow-up, the trio breaks down why post-game analysis in the car can damage your relationship with your player — and what to do instead. From anxious parents to over-enthusiastic dads (...

🧠 Ever wonder what separates good hockey players from great ones? It’s not just skating or shooting — it’s how they see the game. In this quick but powerful mini-episode, Lee and Mike dive deep into one of hockey’s most underrated superpowers: situational awareness. From blue-line turnovers to risky rushes, goalie decisions to smart dump-ins, this episode breaks down how learning to “zoom out” and see the full 200x80 sheet can transform a young player’s game — and make coaches trust them more. ...

Welcome to another Wraparound Roundtable — our holiday special series where we spotlight the biggest creators in the game and give away major prizes! This week, we’re joined by the one and only Pavel Barber — stickhandling phenom, skills coach, and one of the most recognized names in online hockey content. 🎁 Giveaway Alert: Every episode = a chance to win a Green Biscuit + Puck Around This week’s multiplier: A Goalie Wraparound (Pavel’s pick!) 🔗 Head to HockeyNeverStops.com and enter now! 📌 ...

This week on the Wraparound Roundtable, we sit down with one of the most colorful personalities in hockey — literally. Known online as RSpike20, the Purple Goalie has taken the beer league world (and Instagram) by storm with his hilarious skits, mic’d-up moments, and genuine love for the game. 🎧 In this episode, we dive into: How a love for the Lightning sparked his late start in hockey What it’s like learning to play goal as an adult — and turning that journey into content His creative proc...

✨ Do young girls take coaching more literally than boys? That’s the big question we dig into on this week’s episode of Our Girls Play Hockey! Lee, Mike, and Team USA’s Hayley Scamurra share their coaching insights and personal experiences on how language, confidence, and context impact the way girls receive and process feedback compared to boys. From locker room dynamics to building trust, the panel gets real about what works (and what doesn’t) when helping young female players thrive — and wh...

💭 Feeling the weight of being a hockey parent? You’re not alone. In this heartfelt and honest episode, Lee Elias, Christie Casciano-Burns, and Mike Bonelli open up about the mental and emotional load that comes with youth hockey — the long weekends, the money, the pressure, and the expectations we quietly carry. 🔥 In this conversation: Why so many parents tie their own worth to their kids’ performance 🧠 The guilt, stress, and second-guessing that come after every game How money, time, and com...

🎙️ “Okay.” “K.” “👍.” Sound familiar? In this week’s episode of The Ride To The Rink, Mike and Lee tackle one of the sneakiest challenges facing young hockey players today — texting instead of talking. From locker room group chats to misread messages, they break down why communication has become so complicated — and how simple face-to-face conversations can make you not only a better teammate, but a better person. 🔥 Highlights include: The hidden dangers of texting tone (and why emojis don’t fi...