Our Kids Play Hockey

🏒 Should your 9-year-old play up… or just play?
This week on Our Girls Play Hockey, we tackle a question every hockey parent faces sooner or later—and it’s not as simple as it seems.
A parent writes in with a tough decision:
 ➡️ Stay at 10U close to home
 ➡️ Play co-ed locally
 ➡️ Or accept a 12U opportunity that comes with a 2-hour commute multiple nights a week
Sounds like a great opportunity… but is it really?
Olympian Haley Scamurra joins Lee and Mike to break down what actually matters at this age—and why chasing “better competition” might not be the answer.
🔑 What We Cover:
Why fun and love of the game should come first at 9U/10U
The real impact of long travel on kids (and families)
When (and if) playing up actually makes sense
Why more ice time doesn’t always mean better development
The truth about “elite” teams at young ages
How different coaches shape players (even the bad ones 👀)
What Haley’s journey really looked like—and when travel actually mattered
💡 Key Takeaway:
You’re not choosing your child’s future—you’re choosing their experience.
📣 If you’ve ever felt pressure to “do more,” “go further,” or “keep up”… this episode is your reset.
🎯 Have a question for the show?
Send us a message—we might feature it in a future episode!
📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Should Your Child Play Up in Hockey? A Real Guide for Parents of 9–10 Year Olds
#OurGirlsPlayHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyParents #GirlsHockey #HockeyDevelopment #PlayHockey #YouthSports #ParentingInSports #HockeyLife
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Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽
Trusted by our kids! Trust it with yours! Trusted at the NHL level through youth hockey, Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace. 
And their March offer is huge:
50% off an annual plan compared to paying monthly, plus a free hockey training ball, free Green Biscuit, and free shipping.
Or go all in with
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🏒 What if the most important thing you do for your team today…has nothing to do with hockey skills?
In this powerful Ride to the Rink episode, Lee, Mike, and Christie are joined by Rob to talk about a simple idea that’s making a BIG impact across hockey: the “Shoulder Check.”
It’s not about looking over your shoulder on the ice—it’s about checking in on the people around you. Because the truth is, you never know what a teammate might be going through.
💬 Inspired and supported by NHL players like Chris Kreider and Trevor Zegras, this movement is changing how teams connect, communicate, and care for each other.
🔥 In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why small actions can make the biggest difference
How checking in builds stronger teams (and better people)
Real stories of youth players leading the movement
How YOU can bring the “Shoulder Check” to your team
💡 The best part? You don’t need to be a captain to lead. You just need to care.
👉 Take action today:
 Talk to your teammates. Talk to your coach. Visit shouldercheck.org and bring this to your team.
Because we all have a hand to give.
🎧 Listen now—and don’t forget to check in.
📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: The “Shoulder Check” That Could Change Your Hockey Team Forever
#HockeyLife #TeamCulture #MentalHealthInSports #YouthHockey #BeATeammate #Leadership #ShoulderCheck #RideToTheRink #HockeyFamily #StrongerTogether
Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!
Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽
Trusted by our kids! Trust it with yours! Trusted at the NHL level through youth hockey, Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace. 
And their March offer is huge:
50% off an annual plan compared to paying monthly, plus a free hockey training ball, free Green Biscuit, and free shipping.
Or go all in with
Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know!

Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow!

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🔥 What if the most important thing in youth hockey isn’t winning… but noticing when someone isn’t okay?
In this powerful and deeply moving episode, we sit down with Rob Thorsen, founder of the Shoulder Check Foundation and HT40 Foundation, to talk about how one simple idea — checking in on each other — can change lives.
After the heartbreaking loss of his son Hayden, Rob turned pain into purpose, creating a movement that’s transforming locker rooms, teams, and communities across hockey and beyond. From youth teams to NHL players, the message is spreading: you are not alone — because I’m right here beside you.
This conversation goes far beyond hockey. It’s about parenting, coaching, mental health, team culture, and the small actions that make a massive difference.
💡 In This Episode, We Cover:
The story behind the Shoulder Check movement ❤️
Why peer-to-peer support is the most powerful tool we have
How youth sports culture impacts mental health
What parents should (and shouldn’t) say after games 🚗
Simple ways coaches can build empathy into team culture
Why “checking in” can literally save lives
How teams across the country are bringing this to life
🧠 Key Takeaway:
You don’t need to be an expert to make a difference.
You just need to show up, ask, and care.
🏒 Resources & How to Get Involved:
Visit: shouldercheck.org
Bring the program to your team, school, or community
Start with one simple action: reach out, check in, make contact
💬 If this episode resonated with you, share it with a coach, parent, or teammate. These conversations matter.
📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: How the Shoulder Check Movement Is Changing Youth Hockey Culture
#OurKidsPlayHockey #YouthHockey #MentalHealthInSports #ShoulderCheck #HockeyParents #TeamCulture #BeKind #CheckIn
Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!
Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽
Trusted by our kids! Trust it with yours! Trusted at the NHL level through youth hockey, Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace. 
And their March offer is huge:
50% off an annual plan compared to paying monthly, plus a free hockey training ball, free Green Biscuit, and free shipping.
Or go all in with
Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know!

Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow!

Follow Us On Social Media:
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🚨 What if the difference between good and great in hockey… wasn’t just talent—but data?
This week on Our Girls Play Hockey, we’re joined by trailblazer Meghan Chayka, co-founder of Stathletes and one of the leading voices in hockey analytics. From working with NHL teams to breaking down the game on major broadcasts, Meghan is helping redefine how hockey is played, evaluated, and understood.
In this episode, we dive into how analytics is shaping the future of hockey—from youth development all the way to the pros—and what players, parents, and coaches need to know to stay ahead.
💡 Whether you’re a player chasing your next level, a parent trying to understand the game better, or a coach looking for an edge… this conversation is packed with insight.
🔑 Episode Highlights:
📊 What “expected goals” really means—and why it matters
🧠 How hockey IQ shows up in data (and how to improve it)
🚀 The 5 key traits all elite players share
📈 Why players can’t “hide” anymore in the era of analytics
🏒 How youth players can use data to develop faster
💬 Why failure, curiosity, and confidence are critical for success
👩‍💼 Breaking barriers: building a career in hockey beyond the ice
🎯 Key Takeaway:
Analytics isn’t replacing the human side of hockey—it’s enhancing it. The players who understand both? They’re the ones who separate themselves.
📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: How Hockey Analytics Is Changing Player Development (with Meghan Chayka)
📩 Got questions about stats, development, or your game? Email us—we’d love to hear from you!
🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and keep growing the game.
#OurGirlsPlayHockey #HockeyAnalytics #PlayerDevelopment #WomenInSports #HockeyIQ #YouthHockey #SportsData #GirlsHockey #LeadershipInSports #HockeyTraining
Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!
Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽
Trusted by our kids! Trust it with yours! Trusted at the NHL level through youth hockey, Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace. 
And their March offer is huge:
50% off an annual plan compared to paying monthly, plus a free hockey training ball, free Green Biscuit, and free shipping.
Or go all in with
Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know!

Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow!

Follow Us On Social Media:
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🏒 What does it really take to show up every single day—no matter what?
This week on The Ride to the Rink, Lee and Mike are joined by former NHL defenseman Karl Alzner, who played an incredible 428 consecutive NHL games. 🤯
But this conversation isn’t about stats—it’s about mindset, toughness, and understanding your body.
Karl shares what it takes to stay consistent at the highest level, how to handle bumps and bruises, and—most importantly—how young players can learn the difference between being hurt and being injured.
🚨 In this episode, we cover:
🧠 The mental toughness required to never miss a game
💪 Why loving competition is the foundation of success
⚖️ The critical difference between discomfort and injury
🏒 How young players can safely push their limits
🔥 Why resilience matters just as much in life as it does in hockey
Karl breaks it down in a way every young player can understand:
 👉 Some things hurt… but you can still play
 👉 Some things are injuries… and you need to stop
Learning that difference? That’s a game-changer.
🎯 Take this ride as a challenge:
How far can YOU push yourself—mentally and physically—while still being smart about your body?
Because the best players don’t just work hard… they know when to push—and when to pause.
📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog:Hurt vs Injured in Hockey: Lessons from NHL Ironman Karl Alzner
💬 Share this episode with a teammate who needs a boost today—and don’t forget:
We believe in you. You should too.
#YouthHockey #HockeyMindset #MentalToughness #KarlAlzner #HockeyDevelopment #RideToTheRink #HockeyLife #Resilience #AthleteMindset #PlaySmart
Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!
Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽
Trusted by our kids! Trust it with yours! Trusted at the NHL level through youth hockey, Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace. 
And their March offer is huge:
50% off an annual plan compared to paying monthly, plus a free hockey training ball, free Green Biscuit, and free shipping.
Or go all in with
Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know!

Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow!

Follow Us On Social Media:
Facebook Group
X
Instagram
LinkedIn
YouTube