Our Kids Play Hockey

🔥 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
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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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🏒 What’s the one thing every young hockey player can control every single day?
On this Ride to the Rink, the hosts are joined by 17-year NHL veteran Scott Hartnell, who shares the mindset that helped him build a long, successful NHL career.
Growing up as the youngest of three hockey-playing brothers, Hartnell learned early what it meant to compete, battle, and push himself just to keep up. Those backyard games, bumps and bruises, and sibling rivalries helped shape the hardworking style that defined his career.
His advice for young players is simple—but incredibly powerful:
👉 Be the hardest working player on the ice.
Not just during games… but especially during practice.
Scott explains why the habits you build in practice become the instincts you rely on in games, and why coaches, teammates, and scouts always notice the players who compete the hardest.
Whether you're battling in the corner, backchecking, or making the right play on a two-on-one, the effort you put in every day matters.
🚗 So as you head to the rink today, ask yourself:
Are you ready to be the hardest worker out there?
🏒 In This Episode Kids Will Learn:
Why effort can be more important than talent
How growing up with older siblings builds toughness
Why practice habits shape game performance
What NHL coaches really notice about players
How small moments in practice can lead to big plays in games
🎥 Scott also suggests something fun:
 Look up Scott Hartnell highlight videos to see the mix of skill, grit, personality, and hard work that defined his career.
💬 And remember, wherever you are in your hockey journey…
We believe in you. And you should too.
#RideToTheRink #YouthHockey #HockeyMindset #HockeyWorkEthic #ScottHartnell #HockeyPractice #HockeyDevelopment #HockeyKids #FutureHockeyStars
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 does it really take to make it to the NHL—and what lessons can young players and parents learn from the journey?
In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Christy Casciano-Burns are joined by 17-year NHL veteran Scott Hartnell. Known for his grit, personality, and relentless work ethic, Hartnell shares stories from growing up as a rink rat in small-town Saskatchewan to becoming a 300-goal scorer with over 1,200 NHL games played.
But this conversation goes far beyond NHL highlights.
Scott dives deep into the lessons he learned throughout his career — from understanding team roles, handling pressure as a teenager in the NHL, dealing with slumps, and why doing the little things (like going to the front of the net) can make all the difference.
Now a broadcaster and youth hockey parent himself, Hartnell also shares invaluable insights for parents navigating youth hockey development today.
Whether your child is chasing the NHL dream or simply learning to love the game, this episode is packed with wisdom you won't want to miss.
🎯 Highlights from this episode
🏒 Growing up a rink rat in small-town Saskatchewan
🏒 How Scott Hartnell made the NHL at just 18 years old
🏒 Why understanding your role is critical for success in hockey
🏒 Advice for players moving up to higher levels of competition
🏒 The importance of confidence vs. development years in youth hockey
🏒 Why parents should think carefully about AAA vs. development opportunities
🏒 How NHL locker rooms build culture and accountability
🏒 Lessons Hartnell learned from his dad’s coaching advice
🏒 What it’s like transitioning from NHL player to broadcaster
You don’t need to be the flashiest player on the ice to succeed. The players who thrive—at any level—are the ones who understand their role, work relentlessly, and stay true to who they are.
📩 Have questions or topics you'd like us to cover?
 Email the team: [email protected]

#OurKidsPlayHockey #YouthHockey #ScottHartnell #HockeyDevelopment #HockeyParents #HockeyLeadership #NHLVeteran #YouthSports #HockeyPodcast #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 does it actually feel like to win Olympic gold?
In this special Our Girls Play Hockey listener Q&A, Olympic gold medalist Hayley Scamurra pulls back the curtain on the Olympic experience — from the electric energy of playing in front of fans to the unforgettable moments inside the Olympic Village.
In Part 1 of this two-part series, Hayley joins Lee Elias to answer questions sent in by the audience, teammates, and young players around the hockey world. The result? A behind-the-scenes look at the Olympic journey that most fans never get to hear.
Hayley shares her “welcome to the Olympics” moment, what it was like preparing for the gold medal game, and how the rise of the PWHL has elevated the level of international competition. She also gives us a glimpse of life inside the Olympic Village — including unexpected celebrity encounters, unforgettable celebrations, and what it really means to represent your country on the biggest stage in sports.
You’ll also hear heartfelt moments about inspiring the next generation of girls in hockey and the advice Hayley gives young players chasing the same dream.
✨ Whether you're a player, parent, coach, or fan of the women’s game, this episode brings you inside the Olympic experience like never before.
🎧 In This Episode We Discuss:
🏅 Hayley’s “welcome to the Olympics” moment in front of fans
🏒 How the PWHL has raised the level of Olympic competition
🔥 Preparing mentally for the Olympic gold medal game
🏟 The atmosphere of playing in front of a global audience
🌍 What life is really like inside the Olympic Village
🎤 Meeting celebrities like Snoop Dogg and the Kelce family
👕 The wild amount of gear Olympic athletes receive
🥇 The emotional high of winning a gold medal
💬 Hayley’s advice for young girls dreaming of playing in the PWHL
🎙 Part 2 of this Olympic Q&A is coming soon, where Hayley answers even more listener questions about the tournament, the future of women’s hockey, and her journey through the sport.
If you love the growth of girls’ hockey and want a true insider perspective, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Inside the Olymp
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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🚗 Heading to a hockey tryout or evaluation? Take a deep breath — this Ride to the Rink is exactly what you need to hear.
Evaluations can bring out a lot of emotions: excitement, nerves, pressure, and sometimes even fear. But the truth is, a great tryout isn’t about doing something flashy or trying to be someone you’re not. It’s about preparation, mindset, and showing coaches the best version of YOU.
In this episode of The Ride to the Rink, the guys break down how young hockey players should approach tryouts — from the days leading up to the evaluation, to how you carry yourself on the ice, and even how you handle the results afterward.
The biggest lesson? Control what you can control: your effort, your attitude, your preparation, and your response to adversity. Coaches notice those things more than any fancy move.
And remember — one evaluation will never define your hockey journey.
🏒 In This Episode, We Talk About:
How to prepare 24–48 hours before a tryout
The simple preparation mistakes that can hurt players at evaluations
The difference between motivation and anxiety
Why trying to “stand out” the wrong way can backfire
The importance of playing your own game
Why versatility (not just one position) can impress coaches
What coaches really notice when players make mistakes
The powerful story of a player who earned a roster spot through pure effort
How to respond if you don’t make the team you hoped for
Why your reaction to results says more about you than the tryout itself
One of the biggest takeaways from this episode:
 A player who works hard, stays positive, and keeps growing will always stand out over time. Tryouts are just one moment — your attitude and effort over the long run are what truly define you.
So whether you're heading into a big evaluation today or just thinking about the next season ahead, remember why you started playing in the first place.
📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: The Right Mindset for Hockey Tryouts and Evaluations
Have fun. Skate hard. And believe in yourself.
#TheRideToTheRink #YouthHockey #HockeyTryouts #HockeyMindset #YouthSports #HockeyDevelopment #HockeyPa
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
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