Our Kids Play Hockey

🏒 Three goals. Two minutes and 44 seconds. One historic night for Hayley Scamurra. In this episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, the crew breaks down Hayley’s incredible PWHL hat trick — the fastest in league history — and turns it into a masterclass for young hockey players looking to score more goals. But here’s the twist: none of the goals were flashy breakaways or highlight-reel toe drags. Every...

🏒 Thinking about moving up to the next level in hockey? Before you decide… listen to this. On this episode of The Ride to the Rink, Christie, Mike, and Lee tackle a question so many young players (and parents) face: Should you move up to a higher team—or stay where you are? It’s exciting to be recognized for your talent. But is moving up always the right move? This conversation is all about helpi...

🏒 What happens when your kid becomes the best player on the team… and there’s no one left to chase? It sounds like a dream—but for many hockey parents, it quickly turns into a big question: Is my child still developing, or are they stuck in a comfort zone? In this powerful mailbag episode, we hear from a hockey parent in Sweden whose 12-year-old son is thriving—but may lack the competition to pus...

🔥 What does it really take to go from Olympic gold medalist… to chasing a pro championship just months later? In this Day in the Life episode of Our Girls Play Hockey , we go inside the world of Haley Scamurra as she prepares for the PWHL playoffs and the pursuit of the Walter Cup. From finishing first in the league to navigating the unique playoff format, Haley shares what life is actually like...

🚗💭 Ever hear something from your parents right before a game… and it just doesn’t sit right? On this episode of The Ride To The Rink , we’re diving into the messages players hear before they step out of the car —and how those words can impact confidence, nerves, and performance. Here’s the truth: your parents care. A lot. ❤️  But sometimes, even well-meaning words can add pressure instead of hel...

🏒 What you say before the game matters more than you think… We’ve all been there — the car ride to the rink, the final words before your child heads into the locker room. You want to motivate them, support them, and set them up for success. But what if some of those well-intentioned phrases are actually doing the opposite? In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey , Lee, Christie, and Mike flip one...

🥅 What does it take to go from being cut… to standing on top of the Olympic podium? In this special crossover episode of Our Girls Play Hockey and Our Kids Play Goalie, we sit down with Olympic gold medalist and one of the most dominant goaltenders in the world, Aerin Frankel. From growing up playing boys hockey in New York… to leaving home for Shattuck-St. Mary’s… to being cut from the 2022 Olym...

🧠 This might not be your favorite hockey topic… but it could be the most important one you ever hear. On this Ride to the Rink, we’re talking about something every player needs to understand: concussions . With the help of concussion expert Dr. Baric (myconcussiondr.com) , we break down what actually happens when you take a hit to the head—and why speaking up could protect your entire hockey futu...

🧠 Concussions can be one of the most misunderstood injuries in youth hockey — and one of the most important for families to understand. In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey , Lee, Mike, and Christie are joined by Dr. Robert Baric , founder of MyConcussionDoctor.com , for a practical, eye-opening conversation about concussion awareness, brain health, and what hockey parents really need to know....

🏒 Should your 9-year-old play up… or just play? This week on Our Girls Play Hockey , we tackle a question every hockey parent faces sooner or later—and it’s not as simple as it seems. A parent writes in with a tough decision:  ➡️ Stay at 10U close to home  ➡️ Play co-ed locally  ➡️ Or accept a 12U opportunity that comes with a 2-hour commute multiple nights a week Sounds like a great opportunity…...

🏒 What if the most important thing you do for your team today…has nothing to do with hockey skills? In this powerful Ride to the Rink episode, Lee, Mike, and Christie are joined by Rob to talk about a simple idea that’s making a BIG impact across hockey: the “Shoulder Check.” It’s not about looking over your shoulder on the ice—it’s about checking in on the people around you. Because the truth is...

🔥 What if the most important thing in youth hockey isn’t winning… but noticing when someone isn’t okay? In this powerful and deeply moving episode, we sit down with Rob Thorsen , founder of the Shoulder Check Foundation and HT40 Foundation, to talk about how one simple idea — checking in on each other — can change lives. After the heartbreaking loss of his son Hayden, Rob turned pain into purpose...

🚨 What if the difference between good and great in hockey… wasn’t just talent—but data? This week on Our Girls Play Hockey , we’re joined by trailblazer Meghan Chayka , co-founder of Stathletes and one of the leading voices in hockey analytics. From working with NHL teams to breaking down the game on major broadcasts, Meghan is helping redefine how hockey is played, evaluated, and understood. In...

🏒 What does it really take to show up every single day—no matter what? This week on The Ride to the Rink , Lee and Mike are joined by former NHL defenseman Karl Alzner , who played an incredible 428 consecutive NHL games . 🤯 But this conversation isn’t about stats—it’s about mindset, toughness, and understanding your body . Karl shares what it takes to stay consistent at the highest level, how t...

🏒 What if the most important skill in hockey isn’t scoring… but being trusted? This week on Our Kids Play Hockey , we’re joined by former NHL defenseman Karl Alzner —a World Junior captain, Olympic-level competitor, and one of the most dependable players of his era—to unpack what really matters in player development. From a 428-game ironman streak to raising kids in today’s hockey culture, Karl s...

🥇 What happens after you win Olympic gold? For most athletes, it’s a moment frozen in time. For Haley Scamurra… it was just the beginning. In this episode of Our Girls Play Hockey , Haley takes us inside the whirlwind after the gold medal—where life didn’t slow down… it sped up. From jet lag and packed schedules to jumping straight into high-stakes PWHL games, this is the reality of elite women’s...

🏒 Want to score more goals? It might be simpler—and tougher—than you think. On this episode of The Ride to the Rink , we’re joined by former NHLer and Stanley Cup Champion Mike Knuble , a player who made a career out of doing the hard things: going to the net, battling in tough areas, and evolving his game year after year. Mike shares a powerful mindset shift that every young player needs to hear...

🏒 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 3...

🔥 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...

🏒 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 mi...

🏒 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...

🔥 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...

🏒 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. Thos...

🏒 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 Saskat...

🏒 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 b...