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In this week's episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey," hosts Lee Elias, Christy Casciano-Burns, and Mike Bonelli welcome Jenna Trubiano, head coach of the University of Michigan Women’s ACHA Division I hockey team. Jenna shares her inspiring journey from a late-start youth player to leading one of the most promising women's club hockey programs in the country. Key Topics Covered: Jenna's Hockey Journey: Discover how Jenna went from learning to skate at age nine to becoming the head coach at her alma...

Hello, hockey skaters and goalies around the world! Welcome back to another edition of The Ride to the Rink. This is Lee Elias with you today, and we have a special guest from the Vegas Golden Knights, Sheri Hudspeth. Sheri is the Director of Development for Youth Hockey and Fan Engagement, and she joins us to discuss the importance and benefits of ball hockey. Sheri emphasizes that ball hockey is a fantastic way for ice hockey players to improve their skills at home. It’s also a great social a...

In this week’s episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey," Lee, Mike, and Christie are joined by Sheri Hudspeth, Director of Youth Hockey Programs and Fan Development for the Vegas Golden Knights. With an extensive background as both a player and coach, Sheri discusses her journey through the world of hockey and her pivotal role with an NHL team that's swiftly become a community pillar in Las Vegas. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Sheri Hudspeth’s Hockey Roots: Discover how growing up in a hockey-lov...

In this week's episode of The Ride To The Rink, hockey mom Christie Casciano Burns opens up about the emotional and physical toll of hockey injuries. Sharing her personal experience with her 12U son's wrist fracture during a Niagara Falls tournament, Christie highlights the challenges of dealing with injuries far from home. The episode emphasizes the importance of not playing through pain, especially when dealing with head injuries, and encourages young athletes to prioritize their health for a ...

On this week's episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey" we chat with Dave Caruso, former Ohio State University goaltender and professional player, now the Senior Director of Hockey Programming for the Columbus Blue Jackets. From growing up in non-traditional hockey markets to coaching in the New Jersey Devils organization and contributing to the U.S. Youth Olympic team's recent gold medal success, Dave shares his unique insights and experiences that span across playing, coaching, and administration in ...

In this episode of The Ride To The Rink, we're thrilled to have Sean Ellis, Vice President of Hockey Operations for the NHL, join us. Sean works in the NHL’s Situation Room in Toronto, making crucial calls during games that can turn the tide of play. Sean shares invaluable advice for young hockey players on how to respond to calls on the ice. He discusses the importance of managing emotions, whether it's a good call or a bad one, and how to use those feelings to fuel your performance positively...

On this week's episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey," we take you behind the scenes look at NHL operations with our special guest, Sean Ellis, a Vice President of Hockey Operations at the NHL. We dive deep into the mechanics and the thrill of managing the famed NHL Situation Room. Key Highlights: Sean's Hockey Journey:Sean shares his personal journey from playing junior hockey in Massachusetts to finding his path in the NHL. Discover the series of fortunate events and the pivotal decisions that sha...

In this episode of "The Ride to the Rink," Lee MJ Elias, Christie Casciano Burns, and Mike Bonelli dive into an essential topic for young athletes: leadership. Inspired by a question from Logan, a young listener eager to become a role model for his teammates, our hosts share their insights on what makes a great leader in youth hockey. Mike starts the discussion by emphasizing the importance of compassion and the ability to understand and support teammates facing adversity. He highlights the val...

In this week's episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey," Lee Elias speaks with Rob Baer, the Director of Youth Hockey and Amateur Programs for the Philadelphia Flyers. Rob has dedicated over two decades to the sport, significantly impacting both youth and amateur hockey through various programs and initiatives. Notably, he's a key figure in the Flyers' Learn to Play program and an assistant coach for the Flyers Warriors. Discussion Highlights: Rob Baer's Hockey Journey:From playing at Archbishop Carro...

On this week's Ride To The Rink, Lee takes a detailed look into one of the most crucial aspects of hockey strategy — understanding "time and space." This episode is especially valuable for young players and their parents as we decode what coaches mean when they instruct players to "create time and space" on the ice. Key Episode Highlights: - Introduction to Time and Space: Lee kicks off the episode with a fundamental question from our Facebook group about what exactly coaches mean by "time and...

In this episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey," Lee Elias, Christie Casciano Burns, and Mike Bonelli host Amber Ross, a trailblazer for women's hockey in Minnesota. A former collegiate player and current youth hockey coach, Amber shares her journey from a late start in the sport at age 15 to coaching youth teams. She discusses the importance of female role models in coaching, highlighting her motivations to empower young girls through sport, including her own daughters. Amber dives into the challeng...

This week's episode of Our Kids Play Hockey tackles a pivotal question straight from the Our Kids Play Hockey community: How can you be a good teammate or supportive parent, especially when you or your child doesn't make the desired team? Lee delves into the importance of maintaining a positive and proactive attitude, regardless of the team placement. Drawing from personal experiences, he shares how some of his most rewarding hockey seasons were those where he didn't make the team he initially ...

In this episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey," Lee takes us on a reflective journey through the 23-24 hockey season, sharing personal anecdotes, triumphs, challenges, and the invaluable lessons learned along the way. From the early skating strides of his daughter, Alina, in her first mite hockey season, to his son, Logan, embracing the goalie crease in his first squirt season, Lee delves into the transformative power of family, fun, and community in the youth hockey experience. What You'll Discover...

In this heartfelt episode of The Ride To The Rink, Hockey Mom Christie shares a powerful story penned by her son, Joey at age 14, illustrating his profound journey through the world of hockey. Titled "Challenged and Inspired by Hockey," Joey's narrative delves into his relentless work ethic and determination that set him apart from his peers in a generation often criticized for its instant gratification mindset. Despite starting hockey later than most of his peers, Joey’s commitment turned his ...

In this week's episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey," hosts Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli dive into the crucial topic of youth athlete health and workload management. The episode features a special guest, Dr. Addison Lerner-Lentz, a seasoned expert in physical therapy and sports coaching. With Christie Casciano-Burns on assignment, Lee and Mike lead a conversation that explores the delicate balance between pushing young athletes towards greatness and ensuring they remain healthy and injury-free for the...

Hockey Mom Christie offers young hockey players invaluable advice on how to tackle tryouts with confidence and grace. Drawing from wisdom imparted by a respected coach, Christie outlines key strategies to help players stand out and effectively manage the inevitable stress and drama of tryouts. Key points include adopting the right mindset by viewing it as your responsibility to make the team, staying active and engaged whether you have the puck or not, and demonstrating strong character both on...

Welcome back to "Our Kids Play Hockey"! In this enlightening episode, Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Christie Casciano Burns dive deep into the essential skill of passing in youth hockey. Inspired by a letter from a coach in Norway, our hosts engage in a lively discussion, shedding light on the significance of passing, teamwork, and the development of hockey IQ at the youth level. Key Highlights: The Importance of Passing: Explore the critical role passing plays in developing young athletes' hock...

In this week's episode of "The Ride to the Rink," Lee Elias dives into the multifaceted benefits of being a well-rounded individual, not just for hockey players but for anyone striving to enhance their cognitive and physical abilities. Lee shares personal insights and experiences, highlighting the importance of engaging in various activities outside of hockey. Key Points Discussed: - The Value of Playing Multiple Sports: Lee discusses the well-documented benefits of engaging in various sports ...

In this week's episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey," hosts Lee Elias, Christie Casciano Burns, and Mike Bonelli dive into a conversation with two hockey legends, Neil Smith and Vic Morren. Neil and Vic share their invaluable experiences and philosophies on building successful teams and fostering leadership qualities in young athletes. What You'll Learn: The Art of Team Building: Discover Neil Smith's approach to creating a championship team, focusing on the blend of talent, character, and leadersh...

On this week's episode of "The Ride To The Rink," Lee dives into an often-overlooked aspect of hockey tryouts and evaluations: the mental and emotional journey that players and their parents experience. While the physical challenges of tryouts are widely acknowledged, the psychological pressures accompanying them can significantly impact performance and well-being. Episode Highlights: Understanding Anxiety in Tryouts: Lee shares insights into the common anxieties faced by both players and pare...

This week's episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey" features an inspiring conversation with Jaime Faulkner, President of Business Operations for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jaime shares insights into her multifaceted role, which largely focuses on advancing the fan experience—a goal the Blackhawks' team is truly succeeding at. Jaime’s leadership and vision in a pivotal position within the Blackhawks organization highlights the evolving landscape of hockey at all levels. Key Insights: The significance of ...

In this week’s episode of "The Ride to The Rink," Mike shares invaluable advice for young athletes heading to their hockey tryouts. Whether you're a seasoned player familiar with the team or someone stepping into a new organization, Mike's tips are designed to help you prepare effectively and stand out during tryouts. Key Points Discussed: Preparation is Key: Mike emphasizes the importance of arriving at the rink fully prepared. This includes knowing the location and timing of your tryouts, en...

In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, we explore the evolving landscape of hockey training, emphasizing the blend of physical and cognitive skills necessary for modern players. We dive into the discussion with Justin Scott, a renowned power skating specialist and certified hockey skills coach, to understand the global perspective of hockey's growth and how it translates into local training methodologies. Key Points Discussed: Expanding Hockey Globally: We discuss the worldwide expansion of h...

In this week’s episode of "The Ride to the Rink," we dive into the essence of what makes a great teammate with the guidance of Madison Packer, a renowned professional hockey player known for her leadership on and off the ice. Madison shares her insights into the simple yet profound principles of kindness, inclusivity, and respect within the team dynamic. What You Will Learn: The fundamental qualities of being a fantastic teammate. The importance of creating a safe and inclusive environment wit...