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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 professional career. As kids and families head to the rink, Chris shares advice on the importance of having fun, competing with effort, and being a great teammate. 💡 Key Highlights: •The Core of Hockey: Why fun and friendship should be your foundation in the game. •Overcoming Adve...

🏒 What does it take to create a positive experience in youth hockey? In this insightful episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, former NHL defenseman and mental health advocate Chris Therien joins Lee, Christie, and Mike to dive deep into the challenges and opportunities in youth hockey today. Drawing from his 12-year NHL career and personal experiences as a coach and parent, Chris shares hard-earned wisdom on how parents, coaches, and players can navigate the sport’s evolving landscape. 🔥 Topics Incl...

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 the second half of the season. They offer practical advice on setting achievable goals, managing time effectively, and honing specific skills both during team practice and personal time. With a focus on continuous learning and self-belief, this episode is packed with insig...

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 listeners to pause, reflect on their journey, and set new goals to enhance their skills and performance. By emphasizing the power of present actions, he guides players to take immediate steps toward improvement, ensuring that future success is built on today's efforts. Key Discu...

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 players and their parents as they transition back into their routines after a long winter break. The discussion centers on the importance of re-establishing daily habits that can help young athletes manage their time effectively and reduce stress. By focusing on creating str...

Hello, hockey friends and families! 🎙️ This week’s episode of Our Kids Play Hockey is a short but special one. We’re thrilled to announce that our podcast has been nominated for the 2025 Hockey Podcast of the Year by the Sports Podcast Awards! 🏆 After winning in 2023 and 2024, we’re going for the hat trick—and we need your help to make it happen. 🗳️ Vote for Our Kids Play Hockey! It’s simple: Click Here To Vote: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-hockey-podcast/ (or visit ...

Are you ready to transform your mindset and elevate your game? This episode of "The Ride to the Rink" brings you an insightful conversation with former pro hockey player Jason Podollan, who shares the powerful "Three R's" technique: Rewind, Replay, Reset. This episode is packed with strategies to help players recover from mistakes and build mental resilience on the ice. Discover how to shift from negative to positive mental states and enhance your performance with practical tips and success st...

Ever wondered how successful individuals handle criticism and stay grounded? Cassie Campbell-Pascall shares her insights on managing criticism, emphasizing that it often accompanies success and the challenge of breaking norms. She advises considering the source of criticism and using it as motivation to prove naysayers wrong. Cassie also discusses her method of maintaining perspective by surrounding herself with reminders of life's challenges and accomplishments, helping her stay grounded when ...

What role does mindset play in the journey from youth hockey to the professional leagues? In this episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey," hosts Lee MJ Elias, Christie Casciano, and Mike Bonelli sit down with former NHL player Jason Podollan to explore this crucial question. Jason shares his personal experiences, from watching the Vancouver Canucks as a child to winning a provincial championship at 13, and how these moments shaped his path. The conversation highlights the significance of mental fit...

Are you maximizing your practice sessions to their full potential? Discover how adopting a "Practice Like You Play" philosophy can transform your performance on the ice. This episode of The Ride To The Rink explores the critical importance of approaching practice with the same intensity and mindset as a game. Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli emphasize the need for proper warm-ups, highlighting that preparation for practice is just as vital as for games due to its continuous nature. They also discuss...

What does it take to break barriers in the world of hockey? In this episode of Our Girls Play Hockey featuring Cassie Campbell-Pascall we explore her remarkable journey as a trailblazer in women's hockey. Cassie reflects on her playing days with elite teams like the Toronto Aeros, sharing the ice with some of the best players of her time. She discusses the evolution of women's professional hockey, highlighting the strides made in facilities, resources, and professionalism leading to the curren...

How do you mentally prepare to play hockey when the stakes seem sky-high? This episode of Our Kids Play Hockey brings you insights from Brianna Decker, who highlights the crucial role of mental preparation and confidence in elite hockey, where skill differences are razor-thin. She shares her unique approach to practice, treating it with the same intensity as a game, pushing herself and her teammates to elevate their performance. Brianna opens up about the tough lessons learned from losing the...

Are you on the path to prep school? This episode of "The Ride To The Rink" explores the critical decisions and skills that shape a successful hockey career. From preparing for prep school hockey to mastering self-advocacy, our hosts provide valuable insights for both players and parents. Discover how surrounding yourself with better players can elevate your game, and gain wisdom from Olympic gold medalist Brianna Decker's unique coaching philosophy. Whether you're considering a hockey-focused...

Ever wondered what it takes to excel in prep school hockey? This episode of Our Girls Play Hockey features Olympian, Pro, and United States Hockey Hall of Famer - Brianna Decker. Brianna currently serves as the head coach at Shattuck-St. Mary's and she joins the show to offer an insider's look at prep school hockey. She breaks down the daily life of a student-athlete, where academics and hockey training are seamlessly integrated into the school day. Curious about the recruiting process? Disc...

Happy Thanksgiving! What life lessons have you learned from sports? This special Thanksgiving episode of Our Kids Play Hockey explores the profound impact of hockey on personal growth, highlighting how the sport instills discipline, time management, and resilience in young players. The hosts reflect on the enduring friendships formed with fellow hockey families, relationships that last long after the final whistle. They remind listeners to savor every moment, sharing stories like Lee's childr...

Feeling the weight of hockey burnout? Discover how to reignite your passion with insights from Olympian Lindsay Fry. She shares her journey of overcoming burnout and anxiety while training for the Olympic team, offering invaluable advice for young players. Lindsay highlights the crucial difference between motivation and commitment, urging players to remember their initial love for the game during challenging times. She stresses the importance of commitment to oneself and teammates, as motivati...

How do you transform a group of individuals into a cohesive team? In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, the team dives into "How to Win," Lee's new refresh on his best selling team building philosophy. This updated edition, a decade in the making, offers a streamlined approach filled with new experiences and reorganized insights. Lee's philosophy has matured to cater to all ages and settings, from sports teams to corporate environments. Discover the core elements of trust, communication, a...

Are you ready to transform your approach to your hockey development? Discover the power of patience and perseverance in this engaging episode of "The Ride To The Rink." Ken Martel and Lee Elias explore the essential mindset shifts needed for players to thrive on and off the ice. They discuss the critical role of coaches in fostering a supportive environment and the importance of maintaining a positive attitude, even on tough days. Whether you're a player, coach, or parent, this episode of The...

How can we keep girls in girls' hockey? This episode of Our Girls Play Hockey explores this question with Lindsay Fry, Olympian, Harvard grad, and now chair of the NHL Female Advisory Hockey Committee. Lindsay shares her journey in expanding girls hockey in Arizona, highlighting the creation of a comprehensive pipeline from learn-to-play programs to all-girls teams. She discusses the importance of early development, emphasizing quality coaching for young players to instill both skills and pass...

How can we revolutionize youth hockey development? This week's episode of Our Kids Play Hockey explores the transformative impact of the American Development Model (ADM) on young players in the U.S. USA Hockey's Senior Director of Player & Coach Development, Ken Martel, joins the show to share insights on creating fun, game-like practices that emphasize puck touches, appropriate challenges, and decision-making. He highlights why encouraging kids to participate in multiple sports is crucial, w...

On this week’s episode of The Ride To The Rink John O’Sullivan shares ways that youth athletes can overcome uncomfortable conversations regarding sports with their parents - specifically during car rides to and from the rink. John shares the best tactics needed to help young athletes communicate and advocate when they’re ready to discuss their feelings surrounding games and practices. Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! We're powered by NHL Sense Arena! NHL Sense Arena, is a virtual reality tr...

Have you checked out the Rivalry Series yet? In this episode of The Ride To The Rink, Sheri and Lee dive into the growing excitement around women’s hockey and the impact of watching Team USA and Canada face off in their annual Rivalry Series. They explore how USA Hockey is building the sport’s fanbase through outreach events like “try hockey for free” sessions and meet-and-greets with Olympians, making hockey more accessible and inspiring the next generation of fans. With the latest Riv...

Are you raising a future sports star? John O'Sullivan offers his insights into nurturing confident, competitive athletes and discusses his upcoming book "The Champion Sports Parent: Practical Wisdom for Raising Confident, Competitive, Mentally Tough Athletes." Discover the significance of self-awareness for parents, as John emphasizes examining personal motivations in youth sports. Learn how gratitude can transform the sports experience for both parents and athletes, fostering a positive envir...

Are you missing out by focusing on just one sport? This episode of The Ride To The Rink explores why playing multiple sports can enhance long-term athletic development and enjoyment. Kevin Shier of TOP Sports shares insights on managing the challenges of balancing various sports and activities, offering practical advice on communicating with coaches and prioritizing passions. The conversation highlights the importance of playing sports for the love of the game, not external pressures, ensuring...