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Happy Holidays!! This week our expert panel of Hockey Parents and Coaches discuss how to prepare and approach the magical time of the year when things can make or break your season - Christmas! Lee, Mike, and Christie share their tips and tricks to keep your team gelled even as they start to feel tired of each other at this critical point in the youth hockey season! Make sure you get your pre-order in for "When Hockey Stops," Lee and Christie's new children's book! With every pre-order during t...

Our panel this week, joined by our culture and leadership expert, JB Spisso, discusses their viewpoints of how what we think is development can be destructive and what we should be on the look out for when coaching and raising young athletes. Be sure to pre-order a copy of our new children's book, "When Hockey Stops," written by Lee and Christie. The first 500 pre-orders will receive a very special, limited edition hockey card with artwork from the book! Visit WhenHockeyStops.com now to order! ...

Mental fitness has become a major point of discussion in sports from the youth level to the pro levels, and is something we care deeply about on this show. Our guest today, Dan Blackburn, is an award winning speaker on mental fitness and the habits, rituals, and skills needed to build mental resilience on an athlete's path to success. -- Don't forget to check out WhenHockeyStops.com to pre-order your copy of our new children's book, which deals with mental fitness in young athletes. When you ...

While life after hockey isn't something we all want to think about all the time, it is a reality that all players must eventually face. Former NHL Defenseman Mike Weaver joins the show this week to discuss his journey in and out of the game and the traits he learned along the way that helped him in his professional career and his life post-hockey. Stay tuned to hear about Mike's program CoachThem and how it is enhancing hockey practice and training at all levels. Text The Our Kids Play Hockey T...

Pre-Order Our New Children's Book: When Hockey Stops! Lee and Christie have been hard at work behind the scenes to bring the world a new children's book, titled “When Hockey Stops”! The story follows a character who suffers a season ending injury and serves as a guide for kids to overcome adversity when their worlds suddenly come to a halt. Join Lee, Christie, and Mike as they discuss why they wanted to share this story with the world and some of their process in creating it. Now available for...

Ice Hockey In Puerto Rico has recently made headlines with their participation, and victory, in the Amerigol Latam Cup. Our guest today, Scott Vargas, has been working hard to help grow the game for Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. He shares his hockey story and the mission behind Ice Hockey Puerto Rico. 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...

Based on an article from USA Hockey's October 2021 edition - Christie, Mike, and Lee discuss the 5 tips given to ensure the best youth hockey practices. Tune in now to hear their professional advice and opinions on what you should and shouldn't do when it comes to practice! 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...

Former NHL Captain, Bryce Salvador, recently made the decision to forfeit a championship game in lieu of putting his 12u team's mental health first following a traumatic injury to not one but two of their teammates. He opens up on what went into his decision, the push back and support he has received, and the conversations that he hopes to see in the youth hockey culture moving forward. Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! We're powered by NHL Sense Arena! NHL Sense Arena, is a virtual reality t...

Everyone knows that big wins are a ton of fun, but what should coaches and teams look to do in the days following the big win? Lee raised this question to both Mike and Christie who both shared valuable insight from their experiences. 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 wi...

Before you leave for your young athlete's practice or game today, take a moment to think about what they're putting in their bodies and the impact it may have on their game. Coach Mariah Fujimagari has had over 20 years experience in and around the game of hockey and has devoted her professional life to educating young players and their families on the importance of nutrition when it comes to performance on the ice! Be sure to follow Coach Mariah's nutrition team online - https://youngeliteathl...

This 8x Gold Medalist guest should serve as an anchor in all of our lives. From a super young age he has worked hard to be the best at what he does and achieve his dreams. Josh Pauls is the captain of Team USA's Sled Hockey Team, and he joined us this week to talk about his journey in the game of hockey and how it has shaped his life. Be sure to check out Josh's book, "Lesson's Learned: My Journey To The Podium" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lessons-Learned-My-Journey-Podium/dp/1525551477 ...

This topic raised a pretty lively debate from the panel - should youth players be expected to dress professional or wear team apparel when heading to the rink? Or, like the Arizona Coyotes, are you ok with them dressing casually on game day? Leave a comment letting us know who you sided with!! 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...

We often say that you don't always have to support a dream, but you should always support a person's right to have a dream. We also believe it's important to highlight the jobs around the sport of hockey outside of being an athlete. Our guest this week, Franny Drummond, was told that there was no future in sports illustration when he was a kid, but now he's sharing his artwork on goalie helmets worn all throughout the NHL and, really, every level of hockey. Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! W...

It's the biggest game of the season, and you were up three goals going into the third period, but the opponent is finding a way to quickly cut your lead. If you're a hockey parent or coach, you know the anxiety of situations like this. What if we told you that theres ways to overcome that anxiety? Mike, Christie, and Lee share how they stay calm in the stands and on the bench when things don't go exactly as they would like during hockey games and practices. Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! W...

As referee burnout plagues the sport of hockey, we sat down to talk with Kerry Fraser about some of the lessons he learned during his famously long tenured career as an NHL official. It is our hope that these lessons serve as inspiration and impact future interactions with officials and opponents in a positive way. 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 bot...

What if we told you that the competitive spirit of hockey knows no bounds? Dan Brennan began working with USA hockey in 1996 and now serves as the General Manager for the US National Sled Team. He recently joined our panel to talk about the how the tenacity of hockey players is not unique to any one style of play. He also shares what it's like to experience a championship at the international level and how we can get involved with USA Sled Hockey. Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! We're powe...

When it comes to being a student athlete, the word student comes first. Lee, Christie, and Mike offer their advice to parents and players on how to balance a busy hockey life as school starts back 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 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 and training p...

Fundraising is an important part of hockey season. It not only can help you fund your season but can offer a unique way to team bond and shape young athletes as individuals. Christie, Mike, and Lee dive into different types of fundraising and all the benefits on this episode of 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 training game designed specifically to improve hockey sense and IQ for both players and go...

The season is around the corner and there's so many things to get ready!! What do you need to do before the season starts to ensure success? Take these tips from Mike, Christie, and Lee and hit the ground running this year!! 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 10...

What should parents, coaches and athletes know as they navigate their hockey journey from youth through college? Ed Gosek, Head Coach of Oswego State University (NCAA DIII), joins us to share his experience and advice from his time in the game. Ed has an incredible resume as a player and coach with Oswego, including coaching them to their only National Title while sporting some of the top students in college hockey. Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! We're powered by NHL Sense Arena! NHL Sense...

With the start of the 2021-22 season around the corner, we're making sure everyone is aware of all the new changes in USA Hockey's handbook. 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 and training plans curated from top coaches and players. Use Code "Hockey...

Do you know exactly what should be in your team's first aid kit?? Teresa Marzec, a Doctor of Physical Therapy for 42 years who also serves as a level four hockey coach shares what to check your first aid kit for and more with Lee, Mike, and her sister, Christie! 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 ...

Can you imagine having to write a hockey story for every day of the year? Dr. Commito PhD did it, twice. We dig deep into his process for writing "Hockey 365" and why having a historian is important for teams and clubs to boost team morale and bonding. 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 we sat down to talk with Jennifer Flowers, the WCHA Vice President and women’s league commissioner, as well as the chair for a new group called College Hockey for Diversity. We were also joined by Sophia Burns, a junior student-athlete at St. Michaels College, a student representative from the group, and Christie’s daughter. Join us as we discuss the ways the group is looking to help grow the game of hockey by making it more equitable and inclusive for all! Text The Our Kids Play Hock...