Our Kids Play Hockey

🥅 What does it take to go from being cut… to standing on top of the Olympic podium?

In this special crossover episode of Our Girls Play Hockey and Our Kids Play Goalie, we sit down with Olympic gold medalist and one of the most dominant goaltenders in the world, Aerin Frankel.

From growing up playing boys hockey in New York… to leaving home for Shattuck-St. Mary’s… to being cut from the 2022 Olympic team… and ultimately becoming the backbone of Team USA’s gold medal run in 2026 — Aerin’s journey is the definition of resilience, belief, and elite mindset.

💥 This episode is packed with powerful lessons for players, parents, and goalies alike.

🔑 In This Episode, We Cover:

🥅 Why playing boys hockey helped shape Aerin’s compete level
💡 The real truth about being an “undersized” goalie
🚫 Getting cut from Team USA… and using it as fuel
🧠 How to build confidence without letting doubt creep in
🔁 Why failure is actually just experience
🤝 The importance of team culture, trust, and goalie partnerships
🔥 Competing against your friends at the highest level
🎯 Focusing only on what you can control (and why it matters)
✨ Whether you’re a goalie, a parent, or a player chasing big dreams, this episode will challenge the way you think about development, adversity, and success.
📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog:🏒 From Setback to Stardom: What We Can Learn from Aerin Frankel
📩 Got questions or want to connect? Use the link in the description to send us a message — we’d love to hear from you!

 #OurGirlsPlayHockey #OurKidsPlayGoalie #AerinFrankel #WomensHockey #GoalieMindset #HockeyDevelopment #OlympicGold #GirlsHockey #YouthHockey #MentalGame
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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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🧠 This might not be your favorite hockey topic… but it could be the most important one you ever hear.
On this Ride to the Rink, we’re talking about something every player needs to understand: concussions. With the help of concussion expert Dr. Baric (myconcussiondr.com), we break down what actually happens when you take a hit to the head—and why speaking up could protect your entire hockey future.
💥 You’ll learn:
What a concussion really is (in simple terms)
The signs your body gives you when something’s wrong
Why getting a second hit too soon can be dangerous
How to recognize symptoms—even if no one saw the hit
Why the smartest players are the ones who speak up
👀 The truth? Hockey players are tough. But when it comes to your brain, being smart beats being tough every time.
🎯 Whether you're on the bench, in the car, or heading to practice—this is one episode every player (and parent) should hear.
📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Youth Hockey Concussions: What Every Young Player (and Parent) Needs to Know
👉 Listen, learn, and remember: your future in the game depends on the decisions you make today.
#RideToTheRink #HockeySafety #YouthHockey #Concussions #HockeyParents #PlaySmart #HockeyDevelopment #BrainHealth #DrBaric #HockeyLife
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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🧠 Concussions can be one of the most misunderstood injuries in youth hockey — and one of the most important for families to understand.
In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee, Mike, and Christie are joined by Dr. Robert Baric, founder of MyConcussionDoctor.com, for a practical, eye-opening conversation about concussion awareness, brain health, and what hockey parents really need to know.
This isn’t about fear. It’s about being informed.
Dr. Baric breaks down what a concussion actually is, why symptoms can be subtle, how head injuries can happen both on and off the ice, and why parents need to trust their instincts when something feels off. The crew also dives into return-to-play decisions, protective equipment, the role of neck strength, and why no game is worth risking a child’s future.
In this episode:
🏒 What a concussion really is — and why it’s not always obvious
👀 Signs and symptoms parents should watch for after a hit or fall
🧩 Why multitasking, balance, and behavior changes can reveal a problem
⏳ How concussion symptoms can show up later, not just immediately
🛑 Why “shake it off” is the wrong mindset in youth sports
🧠 What parents and coaches should know about return-to-play protocol
💪 How neck strengthening and overall brain health may help reduce risk
⭐ Why Sidney Crosby helped change the concussion conversation in hockey
This is one of those episodes every hockey family should hear — because the information you learn today could help protect a player tomorrow.
Have fun, skate hard, stay safe, and keep learning.
#OurKidsPlayHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyParents #ConcussionAwareness #BrainHealth #SportsSafety #YouthSports #HockeySafety #ConcussionProtocol #ReturnToPlay #ParentingAthletes #DrRobertBaric
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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🏒 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
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
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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!

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