🏒 Do you know what your skates are telling you when something just doesn’t feel right on the ice? Your stick gets a lot of attention. Your gloves are fun to pick out. But when it comes to actually moving, stopping, turning, and competing on the ice, everything starts with…
🏒 Your player knows their stick flex, curve, and favorite tape job—but do they know what’s happening underneath their skates? Skate sharpening may be one of the most overlooked parts of youth hockey, yet the condition of a player’s edges can directly affect their confidence, turning, stopping, acceleration, and overall…
🏒 What if one of the best things a young hockey player can do for her game is… step away from it? In a sport where players constantly hear messages about working harder, training more, and never taking a day off, knowing when to rest, reset, and simply be a…
🏒 Ever wonder who makes sure your tournaments are booked, your hotel is ready, your ice time is scheduled, and your team actually knows where it needs to be? There’s a good chance your team manager had something to do with it. On this episode of The Ride to the…
🏒 What happens when you’re “voluntold” to become the team manager—and suddenly an entire hockey season feels like it’s resting on your shoulders? Every successful youth hockey team has players, coaches, and supportive parents. But behind the scenes, there’s often one person keeping the schedules organized, hotels booked, families informed,…
🏒 What separates a practice that simply fills an hour from one that actually makes players better? Great practices don’t happen by accident. They’re intentional, connected to the game, and designed around what players truly need to improve. On this episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli,…
🏒 What is one habit you could commit to today that would make you a better hockey player tomorrow? In this episode of The Ride to the Rink, Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli explain why setting personal standards can change the direction of your hockey journey—both on and off the…
🏒 When a young hockey player misbehaves, who is responsible—the coach, the parent, or the entire team community? Coaches are often told to “control their kids,” but the truth is more complicated: coaches can guide, mentor, manage, and establish standards, but they are not replacements for parents. In this episode…
🏒 What separates players who simply react from players who always seem to be one step ahead? In this episode of The Ride to the Rink, former professional hockey player and development coach Kevin Clark joins Lee Elias, Christie Casciano-Burns, and Mike Bonelli to share practical advice that young hockey…
🏒 Your child may know what happened during a shift—but do they understand why it happened? Goals, assists, wins, and losses are easy to see. But the small decisions that build hockey IQ, earn a coach’s trust, and help a player advance rarely appear on the score sheet. In this…
🏒 What makes a youth hockey tryout feel fair—and what causes the entire process to break down? Tryouts can be one of the most emotional parts of the hockey season. Players are nervous, parents are analyzing every drill, coaches are trying to build balanced teams, and organizations are under pressure…
🏒 What does an NHL scout really notice—and are youth hockey families focusing on the wrong things? Former NHL player, development coach, and current Anaheim Ducks scout Patrick Rissmiller joins Lee, Christie, and Mike for an honest conversation about how hockey players actually develop. Patrick’s path was anything but automatic.…
🏒 What happens when the game you’ve built your identity around is suddenly taken away? This week on Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli sit down with Doug Smith, former NHL forward, 1981 second-overall draft pick, Ottawa 67s standout, Bobby Smith Award winner, and one of the…
🏒 What really makes a hockey player better — more ice, a higher-level team, a longer commute, or the right culture? This week on Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Christie Casciano-Burns sit down with Andrew Trimble, GM and co-owner of the New England Wolves Hockey Club,…
🧠What if you could begin preparing for your best game before you even stepped onto the ice? In this episode of The Ride to the Rink, Lee is joined by goaltending and mindset expert Pete to introduce young athletes to mind mapping—a simple but powerful exercise that can help…
🏒 What if hockey’s greatest lessons have nothing to do with goals, assists, or scholarships? In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli sit down with Zechariah Thomas, founder of Swift Hockey, former high-level Ontario player, major junior athlete, and international player for Team Jamaica.…
🏒 What really separates young hockey players as they get older — talent, pressure, coaching, character, or the ability to keep loving the game through it all? This week on Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli welcome back longtime NHL forward Mike Knuble, who played over 1,000…
🏒 What does it really take to coach youth hockey the right way? This week on Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Christie Casciano-Burns sit down with Coach Tre Berg, a youth hockey coach, hockey dad, police officer, and longtime player who brings a true “in the…
🏒 What happens when hockey creators, roller hockey, youth hockey values, and a great cause all collide in Nashville? You get Team GG at the Wish Cup — and a conversation every hockey family should hear. In this special edition of Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee connects with Team GG…
🏒 Should your young hockey player train all summer… or put the bag away and just be a kid? On this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee Elias welcomes back Andrew “Albie” Alberts — nine-year NHL veteran, Boston College standout, and Hockey Development Director at NHL Sense Arena —…
🧠What if the most important hockey skill your child learns this season has nothing to do with skating, shooting, or scoring? This week on Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Christie Casciano-Burns welcome Angie Lion, author of Emerge: Rise from the Depths, Realign Your Soul, and…
🏒 What do you do when your child loves hockey, has the skill, makes the higher-level team… but freezes when everything feels new? In this fan mail episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee Elias, Christie Casciano Burns, and Mike Bonelli respond to a heartfelt letter from a hockey dad…
🏒 Our Kids Play Hockey is growing — and this micro edition is all about YOU. In this quick community update, Lee shares some exciting new ways hockey families, players, coaches, and listeners around the world can experience, connect with, and support the show. From video episodes now available on…
🏒 What if not making the “top team” was actually the best thing that could happen to a young hockey player? This week on Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee, Christie, and Mike sit down with former pro hockey player and coach Scott Howes for one of the most honest conversations…