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 were 8, 9, and 10 years old. They also unpack the rising expectations in the sport, the realities of burnout, and why supporting your child as a person—not just an athlete—is the key to lasting success.Oh, and yes—Christie even shares a legendary story of calling in “sick” to work for a tournament… and getting caught at Wayne Gretzky’s restaurant. 🤦♀️🎧 Listen in for honest stories, practical advice, and plenty of laughs from the hockey trenches.👨👩👧👦 This episode is for every parent wondering how to balance ambition, reality, and the joy of the game.Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!🚨 The Puckaround™ Pro Training Puck is being called the best off-ice puck ever — same weight, size, and feel as the real thing. Perfect for training in the driveway or on the outdoor rink.🎁 Use code OKPH at hockeywraparound.com for a special discount on a 2-pack — just for our listeners.Let’s puck-around and find out. 🏒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
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58:18
The Ride To The Rink - Reflecting on Your Hockey Season: A Player's Guide
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 timing and mindset matter when you reflect• 🏒 What to consider about your team, your coach, and even your parents• 💬 How honest conversations can help set the stage for future successThis isn’t just about looking back—it’s about building a stronger foundation for what’s next. Every season is a stepping stone. Let’s make sure you’re stepping forward.👉 Listen now and start your season reflection today!#YouthHockey #HockeyDevelopment #HockeyParents #HockeyLife #TheRideToTheRink #OurKidsPlayHockeyClick To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!🚨 The Puckaround™ Pro Training Puck is being called the best off-ice puck ever — same weight, size, and feel as the real thing. Perfect for training in the driveway or on the outdoor rink.🎁 Use code OKPH at hockeywraparound.com for a special discount on a 2-pack — just for our listeners.Let’s puck-around and find out. 🏒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
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13:40
A Coach's Guide For Parents to Reflect on The Season
How should coaches, parents, and players truly evaluate a hockey season—especially when it didn’t end with a trophy? This week on Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee and Mike (with Christie on assignment) take a deep dive into what it really means to have a successful season—and it’s not just about the scoreboard.From fostering a positive team culture to navigating tough losses, they share strategies for reflecting on the year with purpose. They also discuss the importance of development, goal-setting, communication, and knowing when it’s time for a break from the rink.In this episode, we cover:🏆 Why your last game doesn’t define your whole season📈 How to set—and revisit—goals with your players🧰 Tools for coaches to reflect on their own impact and growth🧒 Why your child’s experience may be very different than yours🛑 The benefits of taking time off from hockeyThis episode is packed with honest insights and actionable takeaways for coaches, parents, and players alike—perfect for anyone looking to close out the season with clarity, intention, and a plan to move forward.📬 Have questions or reflections of your own? Email us at [email protected] or use the link in the episode notes. We’d love to hear from you!Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!🚨 The Puckaround™ Pro Training Puck is being called the best off-ice puck ever — same weight, size, and feel as the real thing. Perfect for training in the driveway or on the outdoor rink.🎁 Use code OKPH at hockeywraparound.com for a special discount on a 2-pack — just for our listeners.Let’s puck-around and find out. 🏒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
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54:18
The Ride To The Rink: Turning Mistakes into Fuel for Momentum with Danielle McDonough
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 is just like practicing stickhandling or skating—the more you do it, the better you’ll be when it matters most!Plus, we tackle how to reset after a mistake, overcome peer pressure, and get back to having fun on the ice. This short but powerful episode is packed with real-life strategies that can help you in hockey, school, and beyond.So sit back, relax, and get ready to breathe in confidence and skate out stronger on your next Ride to the Rink!Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!🚨 The Puckaround™ Pro Training Puck is being called the best off-ice puck ever — same weight, size, and feel as the real thing. Perfect for training in the driveway or on the outdoor rink.🎁 Use code OKPH at hockeywraparound.com for a special discount on a 2-pack — just for our listeners.Let’s puck-around and find out. 🏒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
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13:16
GIVEAWAY - Puckaround and Find Out: The Story Behind Our Hottest New Product (+ Win A Limited Edition T-Shirt!)
🔥 It sold out in 24 hours.🧪 It took 7 prototypes to perfect.👕 And now… five of you are getting a free “Puck Around and Find Out” t-shirt.Welcome to a special edition of the Wraparound Roundtable where host Lee Elias is joined by longtime friend and Hockey Wraparound’s Head of Operations, Matt Eastman, to puckaround and find out exactly how the Puckaround™ Off-Ice Training Puck came to life.In this episode, we dive into:• 🛠️ The 18-month journey of development, failure, and finally success• 🧠 The innovation that make this puck glide, shoot, and handle like the real deal• 👕 The story behind the viral “Puck Around and Find Out” slogan and t-shirt• 🚨 Why you NEED to get yours before the price jumps — and how to win one of five exclusive t-shirts💥 Giveaway Alert: Buy a Puckaround between now and April 9th at hockeywraparound.com and you’ll be entered to win one of five limited-edition “Puck Around and Find Out” shirts. These are gone-gone… so this is your only shot to score one for free!If you’re part of the Our Kids Play Hockey community, a Wraparound loyalist, or just someone who wants to improve their off-ice game — this one’s for you.👉 Head to hockeywraparound.com🎯 Grab your Puckaround™ (ships in 2-packs!)📩 Questions? Hit up us up directly: [email protected]—🔁 Leave a review, share with your team, and tag us with your off-ice setups.Let’s keep building this game — one shot at a time.#PuckAround #OffIceHockey #HockeyTraining #HockeyWraparound #PuckAroundAndFindOut #WraparoundRoundtable #OurKidsPlayHockeyClick To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!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
Our Kids Play Hockey is a podcast that focuses on youth hockey, offering insights, stories, and interviews from the hockey community. It provides valuable advice for parents, coaches, and players, covering various aspects of the game, including skill development, sportsmanship, teamwork, and creating a positive experience for young athletes. The show frequently features guests who share their expertise and personal experiences in youth hockey, both on and off the ice.The show features three hockey parents, who all work in the game at high levels: Christie Casciano-Burns - USA Hockey Columnist, Author, and WSYR AnchorMike Bonelli - USA Hockey Coach and Organizational ConsultantLee M.J. Elias - Hockey Entrepreneur, Author, and Team StrategistIn addition to the main podcast, there are several spin-off series that dive into specific aspects of youth hockey:1.Our Girls Play Hockey – This series highlights the growing presence of girls in hockey, addressing the unique challenges they face while celebrating their accomplishments and contributions to the sport. Each episode of Our Girls Play Hockey is also hosted by Sheri Hudspeth who is the Director, Youth Hockey Programs and Fan Development for the Vegas Golden Knights.2.The Ride to The Rink – A shorter, motivational series designed to be listened to on the way to the rink, offering quick, inspirational tips and advice to help players and parents get into the right mindset before a game or practice. 3.Our Kids Play Goalie – This series is dedicated to young goalies and the unique challenges they face. It provides advice for players, parents, and coaches on how to support and develop young goaltenders, focusing on the mental and physical demands of the position.Together, these shows provide a comprehensive platform for parents, players, and coaches involved in youth hockey, offering insights for all aspects of the sport, from parenting, playing, or coaching to specialized positions like goaltending.
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