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🏒 Ready to unlock your hockey potential without breaking the bank? NHL veteran Matt Moulson joins "Ride to the Rink" to share game-changing tips for young players looking to level up their skills—no fancy equipment required! From DIY shooting ranges to water balloon target practice, this episode is packed with creative hacks to turn your backyard into a hockey development playground. But it's not just about drills. Moulson dishes out hard-hitting advice on bouncing back from setbacks, taking ...

What does it really take to beat the odds in hockey—and stay at the top? In this inspiring episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, former NHL forward Matt Moulson joins Lee, Christie, and Mike to share the story behind his incredible 11-season career. From being a 9th round draft pick to wearing a letter in the NHL, Matt’s journey is filled with lessons for players, coaches, and parents alike. 👀 Inside the Episode: 🏒 Why work ethic and mindset matter more than early success🧢 The surprising truth abo...

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Are hockey skills clinics worth your time and money? 🏒💰 In this eye-opening episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, hosts Lee, Christie, and Mike tackle the hot topic of youth hockey skills clinics. From defining what makes a great clinic to navigating the sea of options, our expert panel shares insider tips and personal experiences to help you make the best choices for your young player's development. 🔥 Highlights Include: What separates a true skills clinic from a glorified workout 🏋️‍♂️The secret...

Are private hockey lessons worth the investment for your young player? 🏒💰 In this eye-opening episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, hosts Lee, Christie, and Mike tackle the hot topic of private hockey lessons for youth players. From finding the right coach to balancing extra training with team practices, our expert panel dives into the world of personalized hockey instruction, offering invaluable insights for parents navigating this crucial decision. 🔥 Highlights Include: The surprising benefits o...

Private lessons can be a great way to grow your game—but only if you approach them the right way. In this Ride to the Rink, Lee shares advice directly with young players on how to make private coaching sessions truly valuable. From asking the right questions to tracking your progress off the ice, this episode is all about helping players take ownership of their development and turn every lesson into lasting improvement. 🏒 Key Takeaways: ✔️ Don’t just show up—show up with a goal ✔️ Ask smart, ...

On this episode of Ride to the Rink , we’re joined by a true hockey visionary— Howard Dolgon , founder and longtime owner of the Syracuse Crunch , who turned a dream into a franchise and a franchise into a legacy. Howard reflects on his journey from a tough Brooklyn neighborhood to the New York State and Syracuse Hockey Halls of Fame —a path paved not by luck, but by passion, perseverance, and relentless belief. He opens up about the power of effort over excuses, the importance of chasi...

What does it take to build a hockey franchise from the ground up—and keep it thriving for 30+ years? In this inspiring episode of Our Kids Play Hockey , we’re joined by Howard “Howie” Dolgon , the founder, owner, and president of the Syracuse Crunch , AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning. From growing up on the streets of Brooklyn to hosting the first outdoor AHL game in history, Howie shares his incredible journey and the lessons he’s learned about perseverance, community, and buildi...

Team USA gold medalist and NCAA champion Caroline Harvey joins us for a special Ride to the Rink episode—and she’s talking directly to young players chasing big goals. Whether you dream of playing high school, college, or even Olympic hockey, this quick conversation is packed with the kind of advice that helps you take the next step in your game. 🏒 In this episode: ✅ Why small, daily habits matter more than highlight-reel moments ✅ What Caroline still does every day to improve her game ...

Fresh off a national championship with Wisconsin and a gold medal at the 2025 Women’s World Championship, Caroline Harvey joins Lee, Sheri, and Mike for a powerful conversation about her rise through the hockey world—and what it really takes to make it. From playing boys’ hockey in New Hampshire to becoming the best defenseman on the planet, Caroline (aka “KK”) shares the real behind-the-scenes work that led to her success. She opens up about what helped her stay driven, how to handle nerves be...

🏒 Ever wondered what it takes to create a winning goalie partnership in youth hockey? Discover the secrets behind successful team dynamics with insights from Olympian Sami Small on "Ride to the Rink." This episode is packed with valuable advice for young players and coaches, emphasizing the power of teamwork and mutual support. Key Discussion Points: - Multiple Goalies on a Team: Understanding the dynamics and choices involved in who plays. - Goalie Partnerships and Support: Why there's no "b...

What’s your role on the ice—and how can you lean into it, even if it’s not the one you wanted? In this Ride to the Rink, NHL veteran and current youth coach Zac Rinaldo shares real-world advice for players navigating team dynamics, finding their identity, and expanding their skillset. From his own evolution through junior, pro, and now coaching, Zac breaks down how players can: 🔑 Understand and embrace their role 🧰 Build a versatile “toolbox” of skills 💬 Communicate effectively with coaches ...

Getting cut from a team hurts—but it doesn’t define your future. Olympic gold medalist and broadcaster Tessa Bonhomme joins The Ride to the Rink to deliver an inspiring message to every young player who didn’t make the team this season. In just 10 minutes, Tessa shares: Why being cut can actually be a gift How to turn disappointment into fuel for growth The truth about building a winning team (hint: it’s not all top scorers) Her personal “Google Maps” analogy for navigating your unique hocke...

How do young players find their identity, toughness, and purpose—on and off the ice? This week on Our Kids Play Hockey, we’re joined by former NHL forward and current junior hockey coach Zac Rinaldo, whose career was defined by grit, heart, and relentless work ethic. Zac shares his journey from leaving home at 14 to attend Notre Dame in Saskatchewan, to becoming a fan favorite in Philadelphia and playing 11 years in the NHL. Now coaching the Pelham Panthers, Zac is focused on developing the nex...

The birds are chirping, the season’s winding down—and that means it’s the perfect time to start thinking about how to build a better hockey player this off-season. In this episode of Ride to the Rink, Lee and Mike dive into how players (and parents) can start planning a development calendar that fits real life and drives real growth. From simple 20-minute habits like daily push-ups or shooting pucks, to blocking out time in a shared Google Calendar, it’s all about building consistency, not cramm...

From the outdoor rinks of Sudbury to the heights of Olympic glory, Tessa Bonhomme has lived nearly every chapter of a hockey dream—and she’s still writing new ones. In this powerful episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, Tessa joins Lee, Sherri, and Mike for a heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply insightful conversation about the journey from “just wanting to play” to becoming one of the most recognizable voices in hockey. Tessa opens up about: Her path from a neighborhood daycare game to captaining T...

This week on Our Kids Play Hockey, Christie takes over the host seat to ask the big question: what does it really take to be a great coach in youth hockey? With Mike and Lee in the hot seat, we dive deep into the reality of coaching—far beyond X’s and O’s. From balancing passion and pressure to dealing with criticism, managing parents, and constantly learning, they break down the challenges and rewards that come with the title of “Coach.” Whether you’re thinking about coaching for the first ti...

“Why You Should Never Let Anyone Tell You ‘You Won’t Make It’” On this ride, Lee, Christie, and Mike get real about one of the most common — and harmful — things kids in hockey (and beyond) hear: “You’ll never make it.” Whether it’s a coach, a parent, or even your own doubts, this episode is a rallying cry for young athletes to chase their dreams and embrace the journey — with eyes wide open and skates on the ice. We talk about why dreaming big matters, how to handle criticism, what it really t...

Whether your kid is just starting out in youth hockey or already eyeing their college path, this episode is a must-listen. Lee, Christie, and Mike dive into the big questions every hockey parent faces—when should we start thinking about the future, how much should school and social life weigh in, and what really matters in the long run? From navigating early travel tournaments to the intense pressure of high school and junior hockey, the trio reflects on what they wish they knew when their kids...

As the hockey season wraps up, it’s time to hit pause—and look back. In this episode of The Ride to the Rink, Lee MJ Elias and Mike Bonelli team up to help young players reflect on their season the right way. Whether you hoisted a championship trophy or just gave it your all every day, there are key lessons waiting to be uncovered—if you take the time to look. Lee and Mike break down a coach-approved reflection process, including: • ✅ How to assess your personal growth beyond stats • 🧠 Why t...

In this episode of The Ride to the Rink, we’re joined by mental performance coach and former professional hockey player Danielle McDonough to help young athletes develop a winning mindset before they even step onto the ice. Feeling nervous about a big game? Stressed about a mistake from last time? Danielle shares simple but powerful tools—like breathing techniques, visualization, and superpower statements—to help you stay calm, confident, and focused. She explains how practicing mental skills i...

How do young athletes build confidence, resilience, and a strong mindset both on and off the ice? This week on Our Kids Play Hockey, we welcome Danielle McDonough, former professional hockey player, mindset coach, and author of The Empowered Athlete. Danielle shares her incredible journey from playing boys’ hockey in Southern California to earning a full scholarship at Providence College, playing professionally in the NWHL and Switzerland, and ultimately transitioning into mental performance co...

On this episode of The Ride to the Rink, we’re joined by Jon Nelson, a hockey coach and mental health advocate, to talk about the highs and lows of a hockey season and what to do when you’re feeling down. 🏒 How to recognize and talk about your feelings 🤝 What makes a great teammate on and off the ice 💡 Why engaging with teammates, coaches, and even rink staff can change your game Jon shares simple but powerful advice for young players on supporting each other, embracing the team-first mindset, ...

In this powerful episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, we sit down with Jon Nelson, a hockey coach, father, and mental health advocate, to discuss his incredible journey through hockey, mental health challenges, and the groundbreaking treatment that changed his life. Jon shares his deeply personal battle with depression, the life-saving deep brain stimulation procedure he underwent, and how hockey helped him persevere through it all. He also discusses his advocacy work through Pulverize the Stigma, a...