Our Kids Play Hockey

Feeling the weight of expectations on the ice? In this insightful episode of The Ride to the Rink, we delve into mastering the mental game of hockey and managing the pressures from coaches, parents, and scouts. You’ll gain practical strategies to help young athletes recognize and address their stress and anxiety, understanding that these tough feelings are not only normal but temporary. We emphasi...

In this episode of The Ride To The Rink , we sit down with Olympian and professional hockey player Megan Bozek to discuss the power of having dreams and the journey it takes to achieve them. Megan shares her personal story, from dreaming of playing college hockey to representing her country on the Olympic stage. She offers valuable advice for young athletes about the importance of setting goals, t...

In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey , Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli tackle the intense pressures young athletes face. Inspired by a letter from a concerned parent, they explore how pressures from coaches, parents, and scouts impact youth hockey players. Lee and Mike begin by discussing what pressure means for kids and adults in the sport. They share real-world examples that highlight the emotiona...

Welcome back, hockey skaters and goalies! On this special edition of The Ride to the Rink , we are honored to have a true hockey legend joining us—NHL Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier. As one of the top 100 NHL players of all time, Bryan has an impressive resume with seven Stanley Cups under his belt—six as a player and one as a coach. Today, he shares valuable insights on the importance of being reso...

In this insightful episode of Our Girls Play Hockey , hosts Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Sheri Hudspeth are joined by hockey legend Megan Bozek to tackle a question many parents and young female athletes face: “How long should girls play boys’ hockey?” Megan, a decorated Team USA member and Olympic medalist, shares her personal journey from playing boys’ hockey until the 8th grade to making the sw...

In this inspiring episode of “Our Kids Play Hockey,” hosts Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli sit down with NHL legend & Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier. With seven Stanley Cups to his name—six as a player and one as a coach—Trottier shares his journey from a small town in Saskatchewan to the pinnacle of hockey success. He opens up about his commitment to honoring his First Nation heritage and the vital...

Welcome back, hockey skaters and goalies around the world, to another edition of The Ride to the Rink! With the new season fast approaching, it’s time to get prepared. Inspired by our recent episode on Our Kids Play Hockey, we’ve created a quick three-step checklist to help you get ready for the season. 1. Equipment Check : •Make sure all your gear fits properly. •Replace any equipment that is too...

What do coaches need to do to prepare for the new season???  In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, hosts Mike Bonelli and Lee Elias share essential tips and tactics for coaches to prepare for the upcoming season. Whether you’re a seasoned coach or volunteering for the first time, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you build a successful and enjoyable season for your team. Rem...

In this episode of “The Ride to the Rink,” hosts Lee Elias and Christie Casciano Burns provide invaluable advice for kids who are either joining a new hockey team for the first time or welcoming new teammates. The hosts discuss common anxieties, how to make a positive first impression, and the importance of teamwork both on and off the ice. This episode is packed with practical tips to help young...

Welcome to the premiere episode of “Our Girls Play Hockey,” a new series within the “Our Kids Play Hockey” podcast network. In this episode, hosts Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Sheri Hudspeth from the Vegas Golden Knights, dive into the intricacies of starting a girls’ youth hockey program. Our expert guest, Katelyn Parker, shares her invaluable insights and experiences. Starting a Girls’ Hockey Pr...

In this episode of “Our Kids Play Hockey,” hosts Lee Elias and Christie Casciano Burns discuss the challenges and opportunities that come with being the new kid or new family on a hockey team. Whether you’ve switched clubs, moved to a new town, or joined a different hockey team for any reason, this episode offers valuable tips on how to integrate smoothly, make new friends, and create a positive e...

Show Notes: In this episode of “The Ride to the Rink,” host Lee Elias is joined by Division 3 hockey player and online influencer Luke Croucher. Currently playing for Neumann University, Luke shares his journey from Canada to Philadelphia and dives into the importance of building habits for success in hockey and life. They discuss how small, consistent actions can lead to significant improvements...

Show Notes: In this engaging episode of “Our Kids Play Hockey,” hosts Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli welcome Luke Croucher, a Division III hockey player from Neumann University with a passion for motivating, inspiring, and educating young hockey players. Luke shares his unique hockey journey from Ancaster, Ontario, to college hockey near Philadelphia, highlighting the importance of perseverance, hard...

Welcome back to another exciting edition of “The Ride To The Rink!” Today, host Lee Elias dives into a significant change coming to youth hockey players: the mandatory use of neck guards starting August 1, 2024. Whether you’re new to neck guards or have been wearing them for years, this episode offers valuable insights on how to adapt to new regulations and unexpected changes both on and off the i...

Welcome back, hockey friends and families! This week on Our Kids Play Hockey, hosts Lee Elias, Christie Casciano Burns, and Mike Bonelli dive into the crucial rule changes coming to USA Hockey for the 2024-25 season. From mandatory neck guards to SafeSport certification for 18U players and updated locker room policies, we cover everything you need to know to ensure a smooth start to the season. Tu...

In this inspiring episode of “The Ride to the Rink,” we are joined by, Kim Davis, an extremely high-ranking official at the NHL and a global influencer in the world of hockey. Kim shares a powerful message directly aimed at young hockey players about the importance of courage and leadership in shaping the future of the sport and society. Join us as Kim emphasizes the vital role that today’s youth...

On this week's episode of “Our Kids Play Hockey,” Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli sit down with Kim Davis, the Senior Executive Vice President of Social Impact, Growth Initiatives, and Legislative Affairs for the National Hockey League. Kim Davis is a transformative figure in hockey, working tirelessly to promote inclusivity and growth within the sport. In this episode, Kim shares her insights on...

Welcome to a special holiday edition of "The Ride To The Rink" with Lee Elias! As we celebrate the 4th of July and reflect on Canada Day, Lee emphasizes the importance of family time during these festive occasions. In this brief but heartfelt episode, Lee reminds us that: Family Time is Precious : Whether it’s family dinners, holidays, or just spending time together, being with your love...

In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee Elias, Christie Casciano Burns, and Mike Bonelli tackle a critical topic for hockey parents and coaches alike: burnout. Is your young athlete losing their passion for the game? Are they showing signs of exhaustion and lack of enthusiasm? Today, we delve into the three main signs of burnout in youth hockey players and provide actionable steps you can tak...

In this episode of The Ride to The Rink Mike and Lee dive into the joys and opportunities of summer and spring league hockey. With the summer heat in full swing, it’s time to embrace the fun and freedom these leagues offer, while still focusing on personal growth and development. In this episode, we discuss: •The unique, relaxed atmosphere of summer and spring league hockey, with no practices and...

On this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, hosts Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Christie Casciano Burns are joined by Bob Apter, President of the Northern Illinois Hockey League (NIHL), the largest youth hockey league in the United States.  Bob shares his journey from a passionate young player to the leader of a league with over 50 organizations and 300 teams. Discover how NIHL’s innovative approach t...

On this week's episode of The Ride to The Rink, Mike and Lee discuss the critical role of environment in a young hockey player’s development. Drawing from a recent interview with professional goaltending coach Brian Daccord and insights from numerous players, coaches, and parents, Mike and Lee emphasize the significance of a positive, supportive, and challenging environment over merely playin...

In this week's episode of “Our Kids Play Goalie,” Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli sit down with Brian Daccord, goaltending coach for Boston University. Brian’s illustrious career includes coaching stints with the Boston Bruins, Arizona Coyotes, and Toronto Maple Leafs, as well as winning a German championship in 2015. He is also the founder of Stop It Goaltending and the Director of Goaltending De...

In this episode of "The Ride to the Rink," hosts Lee Elias, Christie Casciano-Burns, and Mike Bonelli are joined by Jenna Trubiano, head coach of the University of Michigan Women’s ACHA Division I hockey team. Jenna shares invaluable advice for young hockey players and their parents about the importance of advocating for yourself and communicating effectively with coaches. Key Topics Cov...

In this week's episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey," hosts Lee Elias, Christy Casciano-Burns, and Mike Bonelli welcome Jenna Trubiano, head coach of the University of Michigan Women’s ACHA Division I hockey team. Jenna shares her inspiring journey from a late-start youth player to leading one of the most promising women's club hockey programs in the country. Key Topics Covered: Je...