From California to Cornell: Lessons from Goalie Ian Shane’s Incredible Journey When you think of hockey hotbeds, California isn’t first on the list. But Ian Shane didn’t need a traditional zip code to become an Ivy League standout…
If you ask any hockey parent what helps their child succeed, the answers usually sound the same: more ice time, better coaching, extra practice. And while all of those are important, there’s one factor that often gets overlooked but has just a…
The Secret to Being a Great Teammate: Lessons from Taylor Heise When we think about great hockey players, we often picture highlight-reel goals, big saves, or championship wins. But as USA Hockey’s Taylor Heise reminds us, the real measure of…
Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone: A Lesson in Courage and Growth In a standout episode of Ride to the Rink, former pro player and NHL scout Blake Bolden joined Lee Elias and Hayley Scamurra to talk about one of the most essential lessons in sports…
Featuring Danny Drake and Mike Dalberth, Co-Founders of Enduraphin As hockey parents and coaches, we’ve all faced the “hungry hockey kid” dilemma—rushing from rink to rink, trying to feed our athletes in between games, pract…
You Are More Than Just a Hockey Player On this episode of Ride to the Rink, Lee Elias sits down with two powerhouse PWHL athletes—Olympian Taylor Heise and veteran forward Hayley Scamurra—to talk about something every young player (and …
Blake Bolden Is Growing Hockey, One Skate at a Time In a powerful episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, trailblazer Blake Bolden joined Lee Elias and Hayley Scamurra to share her journey from youth hockey in Cleveland to becoming a professional player,…
From Dreamer to Trailblazer: Taylor Heise on PWHL Stardom and Inspiring the Next Generation In Part 2 of our Girls Play Hockey interview with Taylor Heise, the PWHL's first-ever #1 draft pick and two-time Walter Cup champion offers powerful insight…
From Outdoor Rinks to Olympic Dreams: The Rise of Taylor Heise What does it take to go from an 8-year-old trying hockey for the first time to becoming a playoff MVP, PWHL champion, and leader for Team USA? In a special two-part Our Kids Play Hockey…
What if we told you that creativity is just as important as edge work in hockey? In a recent Ride to the Rink episode, Christian Grunnah of Grow Up Power Skating joined Lee Elias and Christie Casciano to offer a fresh perspective on the connection …
Mastering the Most Important Skill in Hockey: Skating with Christian Grunnah Skating isn’t just another hockey skill—it is the skill. That’s the message Christian Grunnah, founder of GRA Power Skating, brings to the ice in this ep…
As the hockey season kicks into gear, young players are lacing up their skates and diving into the action. But there’s another arena where many are also competing: the classroom. In this energizing episode of Ride to the Rink, Mike Bonelli and…
Balancing school and hockey is one of the greatest challenges young athletes and their families face. Between practices, tournaments, homework, and tests, it can feel like there are never enough hours in the day. In a recent episode of Our Kids Play…
In this inspiring episode of Ride to the Rink, former Boston Bruins forward Bobby Robins drops one of the most impactful pieces of hockey wisdom you may ever hear: "You don’t have to bring your A game every night, but you better bring your B g…
From Buffalo to the Big Stage When you watch Team USA forward and PWHL star Hayley Scamurra dominate on the ice, it’s easy to see the results — speed, skill, and poise under pressure. What you don’t see is the demanding youth hock…
The puck is about to drop on another hockey season, and whether your child is a returning player or lacing up for a new team, those first few weeks can set the tone for everything that follows. In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee Elias and …
When Bobby Robins joined "Ride to the Rink" with Lee Elias, he didn’t just talk about skating drills or stickhandling tips—he delivered something far more valuable: perspective. Bobby’s journey from driveway puck battles to the NH…
The Grind Behind the Glamour When you picture a professional hockey player and Olympian, you might imagine big games, big moments, and the thrill of competition. But what’s life really like at the highest level?In this episode of Our Girls Pl…
When the Spark Fades At the end of last season, a parent noticed something troubling — their 12-year-old daughter wasn’t smiling on the ice anymore. Her effort dropped. Her confidence dipped. And for the first time, hockey didn’t …
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in over 20 years of working with teams, it’s this: no team ever achieved lasting success without strong chemistry. Sure, you might win a few games on talent alone—but without trust, communica…
As part of our 400th episode celebration at Our Kids Play Hockey, we’re shining a spotlight on the best of our Girls Play Hockey series—a show within our network that uplifts women in the game through powerful stories, candid advice, and…
Celebrating 400 Episodes with Impactful Voices In honor of reaching our 400th episode, we’re spotlighting something a little different—but deeply meaningful. While NHL names often grab the headlines, some of the most unforgettable and i…
To celebrate 400 episodes of Our Kids Play Hockey, the team put together a special "Best Of" list—and this one’s all about the goalies. Whether your child just laced up the pads for the first time or is vying for a varsity or junior tea…
Navigating youth hockey as a parent can be a rollercoaster of emotions, decisions, and commitments. From tryouts to post-game car rides, your role is pivotal in shaping your child's hockey experience. In celebration of 400 episodes, the Our Kids Pla…