Our Kids Play Hockey

Are you ready to transform your mindset and elevate your game?  This episode of "The Ride to the Rink" brings you an insightful conversation with former pro hockey player Jason Podollan, who shares the powerful "Three R's" technique: Rewind, Replay, Reset.  This episode is packed with strategies to help players recover from mistakes and build mental resilience on the ice....

Ever wondered how successful individuals handle criticism and stay grounded?  Cassie Campbell-Pascall shares her insights on managing criticism, emphasizing that it often accompanies success and the challenge of breaking norms. She advises considering the source of criticism and using it as motivation to prove naysayers wrong. Cassie also discusses her method of maintaining perspective by surround...

What role does mindset play in the journey from youth hockey to the professional leagues?  In this episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey," hosts Lee MJ Elias, Christie Casciano, and Mike Bonelli sit down with former NHL player Jason Podollan to explore this crucial question.  Jason shares his personal experiences, from watching the Vancouver Canucks as a child to winning a provincial champion...

Are you maximizing your practice sessions to their full potential?  Discover how adopting a "Practice Like You Play" philosophy can transform your performance on the ice. This episode of The Ride To The Rink explores the critical importance of approaching practice with the same intensity and mindset as a game.  Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli emphasize the need for proper warm-ups, highlighti...

What does it take to break barriers in the world of hockey?  In this episode of Our Girls Play Hockey featuring Cassie Campbell-Pascall we explore her remarkable journey as a trailblazer in women's hockey.  Cassie reflects on her playing days with elite teams like the Toronto Aeros, sharing the ice with some of the best players of her time. She discusses the evolution of women's professi...

How do you mentally prepare to play hockey when the stakes seem sky-high?  This episode of Our Kids Play Hockey brings you insights from Brianna Decker, who highlights the crucial role of mental preparation and confidence in elite hockey, where skill differences are razor-thin.  She shares her unique approach to practice, treating it with the same intensity as a game, pushing herself and her teamm...

Are you on the path to prep school?  This episode of "The Ride To The Rink" explores the critical decisions and skills that shape a successful hockey career. From preparing for prep school hockey to mastering self-advocacy, our hosts provide valuable insights for both players and parents.  Discover how surrounding yourself with better players can elevate your game, and gain wisdom from O...

Ever wondered what it takes to excel in prep school hockey?  This episode of Our Girls Play Hockey features Olympian, Pro, and United States Hockey Hall of Famer - Brianna Decker.  Brianna currently serves as the head coach at Shattuck-St. Mary's and she joins the show to offer an insider's look at prep school hockey. She breaks down the daily life of a student-athlete, where academics a...

Happy Thanksgiving! What life lessons have you learned from sports?  This special Thanksgiving episode of Our Kids Play Hockey explores the profound impact of hockey on personal growth, highlighting how the sport instills discipline, time management, and resilience in young players.  The hosts reflect on the enduring friendships formed with fellow hockey families, relationships that last long afte...

Feeling the weight of hockey burnout?  Discover how to reignite your passion with insights from Olympian Lindsay Fry. She shares her journey of overcoming burnout and anxiety while training for the Olympic team, offering invaluable advice for young players.  Lindsay highlights the crucial difference between motivation and commitment, urging players to remember their initial love for the game durin...

How do you transform a group of individuals into a cohesive team? In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, the team dives into "How to Win," Lee's new refresh on his best selling team building philosophy . This updated edition, a decade in the making, offers a streamlined approach filled with new experiences and reorganized insights. Lee's philosophy has matured to cater to all...

Are you ready to transform your approach to your hockey development?  Discover the power of patience and perseverance in this engaging episode of "The Ride To The Rink."  Ken Martel and Lee Elias explore the essential mindset shifts needed for players to thrive on and off the ice.  They discuss the critical role of coaches in fostering a supportive environment and the importance of maint...

How can we keep girls in girls' hockey?  This episode of Our Girls Play Hockey explores this question with Lindsay Fry, Olympian, Harvard grad, and now chair of the NHL Female Advisory Hockey Committee.  Lindsay shares her journey in expanding girls hockey in Arizona, highlighting the creation of a comprehensive pipeline from learn-to-play programs to all-girls teams. She discusses the import...

How can we revolutionize youth hockey development?  This week's episode of Our Kids Play Hockey explores the transformative impact of the American Development Model (ADM) on young players in the U.S.  USA Hockey's Senior Director of Player & Coach Development, Ken Martel, joins the show to share insights on creating fun, game-like practices that emphasize puck touches, appropriate ch...

On this week’s episode of The Ride To The Rink, John O'Sullivan shares insights on how athletes can communicate effectively with their parents, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries and choosing the right moments for these conversations. The episode highlights the significance of the car ride home, suggesting it should be a space for the athlete to decide if they want to talk about...

Have you checked out the Rivalry Series yet? In this episode of The Ride To The Rink , Sheri and Lee dive into the growing excitement around women’s hockey and the impact of watching Team USA and Canada face off in their annual Rivalry Series. They explore how USA Hockey is building the sport’s fanbase through outreach events like “try hockey for free” sessions and meet-and-greets with Olympians,...

Are you raising a future sports star? John O'Sullivan offers his insights into nurturing confident, competitive athletes and discusses his upcoming book " The Champion Sports Parent: Practical Wisdom for Raising Confident, Competitive, Mentally Tough Athletes ."  Discover the significance of self-awareness for parents, as John emphasizes examining personal motivations in youth sport...

Are you missing out by focusing on just one sport?  This episode of The Ride To The Rink explores why playing multiple sports can enhance long-term athletic development and enjoyment. Kevin Shier of TOP Sports shares insights on managing the challenges of balancing various sports and activities, offering practical advice on communicating with coaches and prioritizing passions.  The conversation hi...

How can we expand the world of girls' hockey?  This episode of Our Girls Play Hockey explores this question with Kristen Bowness, who shares her journey of growing girls' hockey programs in Nashville and now in Utah. She highlights the importance of girls-only hockey, emphasizing how these programs and tournaments foster camaraderie and provide unique opportunities for those who prefer n...

Are kids missing out by specializing in just one sport at a young age? Is specializing in one sport too soon hindering our kids' development? Discover how Kevin Shire and Top Sports are transforming youth athletics with a multi-sport approach that encourages playing hockey, soccer, and lacrosse within a single organization.  Top Sports is a multi-sport model that lets young athletes explore h...

How do you handle the pressure of negative comments from the stands?  This episode of "The Ride To The Rink" tackles this pressing issue, offering practical advice for young hockey players facing critical remarks from parents during games.  Christie, Lee, and Mike explore the impact of such behavior on performance and focus, encouraging open communication between players and their parent...

Is your mental game on point?  This week on The Ride To The Rink, Olympian and Professional Hockey Player Hayley Scamurra as she shares invaluable insights on the importance of mental fitness, reflecting on lessons she wishes she had learned earlier in her career.  Discover how positive self-talk can significantly boost confidence and performance on the ice. This episode also explores effective st...

Have you ever witnessed a youth hockey game where the parents seemed more intense than the players?  This episode of Our Kids Play Hockey tackles the pressing issue of inappropriate parent behavior at games, where cursing at referees and yelling at children can become all too common.  This episode explores the ripple effects of such negativity, from driving referees away and causing shortages to i...

Are your screens sabotaging your game?  This episode of The Ride To The Rink features expert Larissa Mills and explores how simple habits like avoiding your phone for 30 minutes after waking and shutting it off an hour before bed can boost your performance.  Discover how excessive screen time can impact your focus and intensity on the ice, and learn strategies to enhance your athletic prowess by r...

Ever wondered what it's like to be drafted into a professional hockey league?  Hayley Scamurra shares her thrilling experience of being selected by Ottawa in the inaugural PWHL draft, capturing the excitement and uncertainty of not knowing where she would land.  She also opens up about the transition from college to pro hockey, highlighting the increased physicality and the challenges of adap...