Three Pieces of Advice Hockey Parents Ask For—Then Ignore
We get asked for advice all the time… but what happens when that advice goes in one ear and out the other?In this episode, Lee and Mike dive into three common pieces of guidance that youth hockey parents frequently seek out—then completely disregard. From multi-sport overload, to the myth of showcases, to chasing teams hours away for more letters, we tackle the realities of what kids really need to develop and thrive in this sport.🏒 Topics include:✅ Why playing multiple sports at the same time can backfire✅ The truth about “showcases” and being “seen”✅ Travel time vs. development time—what matters more?✅ How burnout often starts way before it shows up✅ Choosing development over “the best” team✅ Why off-ice habits and creativity are just as important as ice timeWhether you’re new to the game or a seasoned hockey parent, this one is packed with real talk, proven experience, and thoughtful questions to help guide your hockey family’s journey.💬 As always, we’re not here to judge—just to share what we’ve seen and learned along the way.Click 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
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The Ride To The Rink - Mastering the Goalie Mindset with Olympian Sami Small
🏒 Ever wondered what it takes to create a winning goalie partnership in youth hockey? Discover the secrets behind successful team dynamics with insights from Olympian Sami Small on "Ride to the Rink." This episode is packed with valuable advice for young players and coaches, emphasizing the power of teamwork and mutual support.Key Discussion Points:- Multiple Goalies on a Team: Understanding the dynamics and choices involved in who plays.- Goalie Partnerships and Support: Why there's no "backup goalie"—just teammates supporting each other.- Skater-Goalie Interactions: Tips for skaters on effective communication and interaction with goalies.- Goalies Advocating for Themselves: Strategies for young goalies to enhance practice engagement.- Dealing with a Goalie's Bad Game: How teammates can constructively support a struggling goalie.Sami Small shares her wisdom on fostering a positive environment where every player thrives. Whether you're a goalie, skater, or coach, these insights will help you build a cohesive and supportive team. 🥅#YouthHockey #GoaliePartnerships #Teamwork #RideToTheRink #HockeyInsightsClick 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
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Our Kids Play Goalie - Sami Jo Small on Goaltending, Grit, and Growth
In this week's episode of Our Kids Play Goalie, Lee Elias, Christy Casciano-Burns, and Mike Bonelli welcome a true icon in women’s hockey—Sami Jo Small, three-time Olympian, two-time gold medalist, and a lifelong advocate for inclusion, purpose, and team unity.From being the only girl on the street in Winnipeg playing road hockey with her brother’s friends, to starting in net for Team Canada, Sami’s path wasn’t just unconventional—it was groundbreaking.We explore:Her early days as “the girl goalie” and how inclusion, support, and street hockey shaped her identity.Why playing in boys’ leagues taught her resilience—and what we can all learn from being “different” on the team.What her parents got right about letting her play—and how small decisions from adults can shape a child’s future.Stanford, mechanical engineering, and club hockey on a men’s team—how she kept joy in the game without the pressure of being seen.How she made Team Canada almost by accident, thanks to a chance meeting, a bold leap of faith, and one coach who believed in her.How it felt to be told she wouldn’t start in the 2002 Olympic gold medal game—and how that moment shaped her understanding of roles, leadership, and humility.The myth of the “one goalie system” and how goalies can and should support each other.What it really means to be part of a championship team—and how we can teach this to our kids now, at every level of youth hockey.Why joy—not ambition—should drive a young athlete’s development.Her daughter’s decision to leave hockey and how Sami learned to support a completely different kind of journey.This episode is a masterclass in humility, perspective, and purpose. Whether you’re raising a goalie, coaching one, or are one, Sami’s story will change the way you see the game—and the people in it.📚 Also mentioned: The Role I Played by Sami Jo Small – a must-read memoir about elite sports, adversity, and identity.Click 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
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The Ride to The Rink: Why You Need To Play Your Role with Zac Rinaldo
What’s your role on the ice—and how can you lean into it, even if it’s not the one you wanted? In this Ride to the Rink, NHL veteran and current youth coach Zac Rinaldo shares real-world advice for players navigating team dynamics, finding their identity, and expanding their skillset.From his own evolution through junior, pro, and now coaching, Zac breaks down how players can:🔑 Understand and embrace their role🧰 Build a versatile “toolbox” of skills💬 Communicate effectively with coaches🧠 Develop the mindset to grow through challengesWhether you’re a first-liner or still figuring it out, this episode is packed with practical insights for becoming a more complete hockey player—and teammate.Click 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
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6:26
The Ride To The Rink: Adversity Is a Privilege: What Getting Cut Teaches You – With Tessa Bonhomme
Getting cut from a team hurts—but it doesn’t define your future. Olympic gold medalist and broadcaster Tessa Bonhomme joins The Ride to the Rink to deliver an inspiring message to every young player who didn’t make the team this season.In just 10 minutes, Tessa shares:Why being cut can actually be a giftHow to turn disappointment into fuel for growthThe truth about building a winning team (hint: it’s not all top scorers)Her personal “Google Maps” analogy for navigating your unique hockey pathA powerful mindset shift: “Face Everything And Rise”Whether you’re on a new team or still searching for your next opportunity, this episode is a reminder that adversity is part of every great hockey story—including yours.🎙️ Press play, get motivated, and get to the rink ready to rise.Click 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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