Our Kids Play Hockey

Hello, hockey skaters and goalies around the world! Welcome back to another edition of The Ride to the Rink . This is Lee Elias with you today, and we have a special guest from the Vegas Golden Knights, Sheri Hudspeth. Sheri is the Director of Development for Youth Hockey and Fan Engagement, and she joins us to discuss the importance and benefits of ball hockey. Sheri emphasizes that ball hockey i...

In this week’s episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey," Lee, Mike, and Christie are joined by Sheri Hudspeth, Director of Youth Hockey Programs and Fan Development for the Vegas Golden Knights. With an extensive background as both a player and coach, Sheri discusses her journey through the world of hockey and her pivotal role with an NHL team that's swiftly become a community pillar in La...

In this week's episode of The Ride To The Rink, hockey mom Christie Casciano Burns opens up about the emotional and physical toll of hockey injuries. Sharing her personal experience with her 12U son's wrist fracture during a Niagara Falls tournament, Christie highlights the challenges of dealing with injuries far from home. The episode emphasizes the importance of not playing through pai...

On this week's episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey" we chat with Dave Caruso, former Ohio State University goaltender and professional player, now the Senior Director of Hockey Programming for the Columbus Blue Jackets. From growing up in non-traditional hockey markets to coaching in the New Jersey Devils organization and contributing to the U.S. Youth Olympic team's recent gold m...

In this episode of The Ride To The Rink, we're thrilled to have Sean Ellis, Vice President of Hockey Operations for the NHL, join us. Sean works in the NHL’s Situation Room in Toronto, making crucial calls during games that can turn the tide of play. Sean shares invaluable advice for young hockey players on how to respond to calls on the ice. He discusses the importance of managing emotions,...

On this week's episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey," we take you behind the scenes look at NHL operations with our special guest, Sean Ellis, a Vice President of Hockey Operations at the NHL. We dive deep into the mechanics and the thrill of managing the famed NHL Situation Room. Key Highlights: Sean's Hockey Journey: Sean shares his personal journey from playing junior hockey in...

In this episode of "The Ride to the Rink," Lee MJ Elias, Christie Casciano Burns, and Mike Bonelli dive into an essential topic for young athletes: leadership. Inspired by a question from Logan, a young listener eager to become a role model for his teammates, our hosts share their insights on what makes a great leader in youth hockey. Mike starts the discussion by emphasizing the importa...

In this week's episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey," Lee Elias speaks with Rob Baer, the Director of Youth Hockey and Amateur Programs for the Philadelphia Flyers. Rob has dedicated over two decades to the sport, significantly impacting both youth and amateur hockey through various programs and initiatives. Notably, he's a key figure in the Flyers' Learn to Play program and a...

On this week's Ride To The Rink, Lee takes a detailed look into one of the most crucial aspects of hockey strategy — understanding "time and space." This episode is especially valuable for young players and their parents as we decode what coaches mean when they instruct players to "create time and space" on the ice. Key Episode Highlights: - Introduction to Time and Space:...

In this episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey," Lee Elias, Christie Casciano Burns, and Mike Bonelli host Amber Ross, a trailblazer for women's hockey in Minnesota. A former collegiate player and current youth hockey coach, Amber shares her journey from a late start in the sport at age 15 to coaching youth teams. She discusses the importance of female role models in coaching, highlightin...

This week's episode of Our Kids Play Hockey tackles a pivotal question straight from the Our Kids Play Hockey community: How can you be a good teammate or supportive parent, especially when you or your child doesn't make the desired team? Lee delves into the importance of maintaining a positive and proactive attitude, regardless of the team placement. Drawing from personal experiences, h...

In this episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey," Lee takes us on a reflective journey through the 23-24 hockey season, sharing personal anecdotes, triumphs, challenges, and the invaluable lessons learned along the way. From the early skating strides of his daughter, Alina, in her first mite hockey season, to his son, Logan, embracing the goalie crease in his first squirt season, Lee delves int...

In this heartfelt episode of The Ride To The Rink, Hockey Mom Christie shares a powerful story penned by her son, Joey at age 14, illustrating his profound journey through the world of hockey.  Titled "Challenged and Inspired by Hockey," Joey's narrative delves into his relentless work ethic and determination that set him apart from his peers in a generation often criticized for its...

In this week's episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey," hosts Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli dive into the crucial topic of youth athlete health and workload management. The episode features a special guest, Dr. Addison Lerner-Lentz, a seasoned expert in physical therapy and sports coaching. With Christie Casciano-Burns on assignment, Lee and Mike lead a conversation that explores the delicat...

Hockey Mom Christie offers young hockey players invaluable advice on how to tackle tryouts with confidence and grace. Drawing from wisdom imparted by a respected coach, Christie outlines key strategies to help players stand out and effectively manage the inevitable stress and drama of tryouts.  Key points include adopting the right mindset by viewing it as your responsibility to make the team, sta...

Welcome back to "Our Kids Play Hockey"! In this enlightening episode, Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Christie Casciano Burns dive deep into the essential skill of passing in youth hockey. Inspired by a letter from a coach in Norway, our hosts engage in a lively discussion, shedding light on the significance of passing, teamwork, and the development of hockey IQ at the youth level. Key High...

In this week's episode of "The Ride to the Rink," Lee Elias dives into the multifaceted benefits of being a well-rounded individual, not just for hockey players but for anyone striving to enhance their cognitive and physical abilities. Lee shares personal insights and experiences, highlighting the importance of engaging in various activities outside of hockey. Key Points Discussed:...

In this week's episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey," hosts Lee Elias, Christie Casciano Burns, and Mike Bonelli dive into a conversation with two hockey legends, Neil Smith and Vic Morren. Neil and Vic share their invaluable experiences and philosophies on building successful teams and fostering leadership qualities in young athletes. What You'll Learn: The Art of Team Building: D...

On this week's episode of "The Ride To The Rink," Lee dives into an often-overlooked aspect of hockey tryouts and evaluations: the mental and emotional journey that players and their parents experience. While the physical challenges of tryouts are widely acknowledged, the psychological pressures accompanying them can significantly impact performance and well-being. Episode Highlight...

This week's episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey" features an inspiring conversation with Jaime Faulkner, President of Business Operations for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jaime shares insights into her multifaceted role, which largely focuses on advancing the fan experience—a goal the Blackhawks' team is truly succeeding at. Jaime’s leadership and vision in a pivotal position within th...

In this week’s episode of "The Ride to The Rink," Mike shares invaluable advice for young athletes heading to their hockey tryouts. Whether you're a seasoned player familiar with the team or someone stepping into a new organization, Mike's tips are designed to help you prepare effectively and stand out during tryouts. Key Points Discussed: Preparation is Key: Mike emphasizes th...

In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, we explore the evolving landscape of hockey training, emphasizing the blend of physical and cognitive skills necessary for modern players. We dive into the discussion with Justin Scott, a renowned power skating specialist and certified hockey skills coach, to understand the global perspective of hockey's growth and how it translates into local training...

In this week’s episode of "The Ride to the Rink," we dive into the essence of what makes a great teammate with the guidance of Madison Packer, a renowned professional hockey player known for her leadership on and off the ice. Madison shares her insights into the simple yet profound principles of kindness, inclusivity, and respect within the team dynamic. What You Will Learn: The fundamen...

On this week’s episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey," Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Christie Casciano Burns are joined by Professional Hockey Player Madison Packer. Madison's hockey journey is a testament to resilience, leadership, and passion. From her early days on the ice in Birmingham, Michigan, to becoming an NCAA champion with the University of Wisconsin, and now stepping into the...

In this week's episode of The Ride To The Rink, hockey mom Christie Casciano Burns delves into the crucial topic of sportsmanship in youth hockey. Christie shares her perspective and experiences, highlighting the importance of good sportsmanship on and off the ice. She addresses the negative impact of poor sportsmanship, such as throwing equipment and tantrums during games, and emphasizes the...