Our Kids Play Hockey

🏒 What if everything you’ve been told about youth hockey development… is wrong?
This week, we’re joined by 1,000+ game NHL veteran Mike Knuble—a Stanley Cup Champion who built his career the hard way: through patience, persistence, and learning how to truly play the game.
From growing up in Michigan with no “elite path”… to earning his way through college, the minors, and eventually becoming a 30-goal scorer in the NHL, Mike shares what actually matters in development—and what families are getting completely backwards.
💡 Inside this episode:
Why there is NO single path in hockey (and why that’s a good thing)
The truth about early success vs long-term development
What NHL players REALLY learn from championship cultures
Why patience is the most important—and most ignored—skill
How youth players can instantly improve by doing one simple thing: go to the net
What parents should focus on at ages 8–12 (hint: it’s not stats or rankings)
🔥 Plus, Mike shares powerful insights as both:
A former NHL player
A coach
And a hockey parent raising two high-level players
This is one of those episodes every hockey family needs to hear.
🎯 Key Takeaways:
“Your path is never done… even in the NHL.”
“If you’re good enough, you’ll be found.”
“The goal is simple—the puck has to go to the net. So why aren’t players there?”
“Don’t try to control the journey. Let your player grow into it.”
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Whether your child is just starting out or chasing higher levels, this episode will help you reset your mindset and focus on what really matters.
📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: The Truth About Youth Hockey Development (From NHL Veteran Mike Knuble)
🎧 Listen now and take a deep breath—development is a long game.
#OurKidsPlayHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyDevelopment #HockeyParents #MikeKnuble #HockeyCoaching #LongTermDevelopment #HockeyLife #PlayerDevelopment #HockeyJourney
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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.
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🔥 You asked. We delivered. The Mailbag Episode is BACK — and this one is packed with real answers from a real pro.
In this special Q&A episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, Hayley Scamurra sits down with Lee and Mike to answer YOUR biggest questions about what it actually takes to play hockey at the highest level.
From game day meals to mental prep, training habits to scoring goals — nothing is off limits. And the best part? These are the exact questions coming from young players just like you.
Whether you're a player, parent, or coach, this episode is loaded with insight you can use right away.
🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
🥗 What a pro hockey player REALLY eats on game day
🧘‍♀️ How to prepare mentally before stepping on the ice
⚡ The secret to getting faster (on and off the ice)
🥅 Where most goals actually come from (this might surprise you)
🔥 Why “small area games” are a pro favorite
🛑 The truth about burnout — and why taking breaks matters
🤝 Boys vs. girls hockey: how to make the right choice
💡 What it’s REALLY like to be a professional hockey player
💬 A Powerful Takeaway:
Sometimes the most valuable player isn’t the one scoring goals… it’s the one creating them.
🎯 Whether you're chasing goals, building confidence, or just trying to fall in love with the game again — this episode is for you.
📩 Got a question for the next mailbag? Send it in — you might be featured!
 #OurGirlsPlayHockey #HockeyTraining #YouthHockey #GirlsHockey #HockeyParents #HockeyDevelopment #HockeyMindset #TrainLikeAPro #HockeyLife #FemaleAthletes
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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🏒 Ever walk off the ice feeling like you were either the best player out there… or the worst?
This week on The Ride to the Rink, we’re joined by former NHL star Bobby Ryan (800+ NHL games, 2nd overall draft pick) to talk about one of the most important skills young players can develop: how to reflect, reset, and get better—without being too hard on yourself.
Bobby shares a simple but powerful mindset that every hockey player (and parent) needs to hear.
🔑 In This Episode:
Why you’re never as good—or as bad—as you think
The “1 positive, 1 negative” reflection method
How just 3–5 minutes of quiet time can transform your game
Why accountability is the key to improvement
How the rink can become your personal sanctuary
💡 Whether you had a great game or a tough one, this episode gives you a clear, simple way to reset and move forward with confidence.
🎧 Parents, this is a great one to listen to with your player on the way to the rink.
And players—next time you step on the ice, remember:
 You get to be there. Make it count.
📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: The Simple 5-Minute Hockey Mindset Shift Every Player Needs (Bobby Ryan’s Advice)
#️⃣ #HockeyMindset #YouthHockey #BobbyRyan #HockeyDevelopment #MentalGame #RideToTheRink #HockeyParents #ConfidenceInSports #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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🏒 What if the rink isn’t just where kids play… but where they feel safest?
In this powerful and deeply personal episode, former NHL star Bobby Ryan joins us to share a perspective every hockey parent and coach needs to hear. From a difficult childhood to a 14-year NHL career—and now life as a hockey dad—Bobby opens up about how the game shaped him, saved him, and continues to guide how he raises his own child today. 
This conversation goes far beyond goals and assists. It’s about identity, pressure, mental health, and the responsibility we all share in creating the right environment for young players.
🔑 In This Episode, We Cover:
🧠 Why the rink should be a sanctuary for kids
📊 The danger of tying identity to stats and performance
👨‍👦 What Bobby Ryan does differently as a hockey parent
💬 How to talk to kids about mental health and comparison
🏒 Why effort > talent in youth development
🚫 The hidden harm of social media in youth sports
🎯 How coaches can create confidence, not pressure
💡 Key Takeaway
Success in hockey isn’t about who scores the most—it’s about who grows the most.
🎧 Plus:
Bobby shares behind-the-scenes NHL stories, his upcoming international experience representing Team USA again, and why giving back to the game is now his mission.
If you're a parent, coach, or young player navigating today’s hockey world—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
👉 Listen now, share it with your hockey community, and start building better environments for our kids.
📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Bobby Ryan on Youth Hockey, Parenting, and Mental Health
🔗 Have a topic you want us to cover?
Reach out anytime—we’d love to hear from you.
#YouthHockey #HockeyParenting #BobbyRyan #MentalHealthInSports #HockeyDevelopment #OurKidsPlayHockey #PositiveCoaching #HockeyLife #SportsParenting #HockeyCommunity
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 were YOU doing at 14 years old? Because Estela Vazquez was winning GOLD on the international stage.
In this inspiring episode of Our Kids Play Goalie, we sit down with Estela Vazquez — a rising star goaltender for the Connecticut Junior Rangers, Greenwich Country Day School, and the Puerto Rico Women’s National Team 🇵🇷.
At just 13 years old, Estela stepped onto the international stage in Buenos Aires and walked away as Goaltender of the Tournament, helping Puerto Rico capture gold. But her story goes far beyond the medal…
This conversation dives into the mindset, discipline, and maturity it takes to balance elite hockey, school, and life — all while staying grounded and driven.
🧠 In this episode, we cover:
What it really takes to succeed as a young goalie
How Estela manages school, travel, and multiple teams
The mental side of goaltending (and how to stay calm under pressure)
Why positive self-talk (“lock in”) can change your game
The role of parents, coaches, and teammates in development
Why facing adversity (and NOT getting pulled) matters for growth
The importance of dreaming big — and working for it every day
💬 One of the most powerful takeaways:
“You always want to think positive… when you think negative, it goes bad.”🎯 Whether you're a goalie, parent, or coach, this episode is packed with real, actionable insight — straight from a player living it right now.
📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: How a 14-Year-Old Goalie Is Redefining Youth Hockey Success | Estela Vazquez Story
👉 Loved this episode?
Text us, share it with a goalie family, and help grow the next generation of players!
#YouthHockey #GoalieLife #HockeyParents #GirlsHockey #MentalToughness #Goaltending #HockeyDevelopment #EliteAthlete #OurKidsPlayHockey #GoalieMindset
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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