Rinkside

Rinkside hosts Emma Miskew and Ryan Steeves sit down with Greg Skotnicki, Executive Director of Ottawa’s Maverick Volleyball Club, to talk growth, athlete development, and creating a positive, competitive environment for players and families.

In this week's episode of Rinkside, hosts Emma Miskew and Ryan Steeves sit down with Patrick Grandmaître, the coach of the University of Ottawa men's hockey team. With a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success, Grandmaître shares his journey in transforming the U of O hockey program and the invaluable lessons he's learned along the way.

Emma Miskew reflects on Team Homan’s Olympic Trials experience, breaking down the pressure, emotions, and challenges that led them to qualify for the Olympics in Italy.

In this week’s episode of Rinkside , Ryan Steeves and Emma Miskew sit down with veteran hockey scout Justin Sproule. Justin opens up about what scouts actually look for in young athletes hint: it’s not goals, flash, or TikTok moves. From compete level and hockey sense, to character, accountability, and resiliency, he breaks down the true building blocks of long-term success. The trio also dives in...

What’s harder: coaching Olympic athletes or coaching kids? Ryan Fry has done both, and he joins Emma Miskew and Ryan Steeves to break down the surprising similarities. From managing emotions to building confidence and choosing the right moment to give feedback, this episode dives into the coaching skills that matter most. Plus, Emma and Ryan share their own stories from the ice, and from the car r...

Rinkside is back for Season 2! Emma Miskew and Ryan Steeves return to the mic to share what’s new, what’s changed, and what they’ve been up to since you last heard them.

In this special episode, Ryan Steeves and Emma Miskew tackle topics submitted by you , the listeners. From team dynamics to selection politics, they dive into the real-life pressures athletes face—like whether chemistry or individual skill matters more, the stress of performance anxiety, and the tough decisions young athletes make when chasing opportunity in bigger cities. It's an honest, wide...

In this episode, Ryan Steeves and Emma Miskew discuss the complexities of social media in the context of youth sports, featuring guest Jess Szabo, the VP of Marketing for The Curling Group. They explore how young athletes can navigate social media positively, the importance of authenticity, and the challenges of managing online presence. They also address how parents can support their children in...

In this episode, Ryan Steeves and Emma Miskew welcome Greg Pollock from Gladiator Strength and Conditioning to discuss the importance of strength training for athletes, particularly during the off-season. Greg shares insights on how to structure training programs for young athletes, the importance of balancing strength and skill, and innovative techniques such as mobility and breathing exercises....

In this episode, Ryan Steeves and Emma Miskew discuss the importance of injury prevention in sports with physiotherapist Paul Colebrook. They discuss the significance of assessments, the multidisciplinary approach to injury management, and the evolving strategies for recovery. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by young athletes, the impact of asymmetries in sports, and the necessity...

In this episode, Ryan Steeves and Emma Miskew share their journeys in sports, discussing their backgrounds in curling and hockey, the importance of teamwork, the highs and lows of competition, and the lessons learned from both victories and defeats. They reflect on Olympic experiences, the pressure of performance, and the significance of enjoying the journey as athletes. The conversation emphasize...

Summary In this episode, Ryan Steeves and Emma Miskew discuss the importance of creating inclusive sports environments for children with disabilities and neurodivergent individuals. They are joined by Dr. Amy Latimer-Cheung, who shares her research on quality participation in sports and the building blocks necessary for creating positive experiences. The conversation emphasizes the role of coaches...

In this episode, Ryan Steeves and Emma Miskew engage in a comprehensive discussion with Thomas Muir, a high-performance coach at the West Ottawa Soccer Club. They explore the landscape of youth soccer in Canada, focusing on the Ontario Provincial Development League (OPDL), the transition from player to coach, and the unique challenges faced by non-parent coaches. The conversation delves into the i...

Summary In this episode, Ryan Steeves and Emma Miskew engage with Tim Powers, discussing the profound impact of sports on personal and professional life. They explore Tim's journey from being a national-level rugby player to his current role with the Canadian Olympic Committee. The conversation highlights the importance of grassroots development, the balance between performance and participation,...

In this episode of Rinkside, Ryan Steeves and guest co-host Eric Macramalla cover youth sports, focusing on tryouts, player development, and the emotional challenges faced by young athletes. They discuss the importance of proper placement in sports, the impact of social media on youth sports culture, and the need for transparency in coaching decisions. The conversation emphasizes the significance...

In this episode, Ryan Steeves and Emma Miskew discuss the pressures faced by athletes in high-stakes situations, particularly in professional sports. They explore the psychological aspects of performance under pressure, the impact of fan expectations, and the importance of support systems. The conversation delves into mental strategies for handling pressure, the role of coaches, and the significan...

In this episode, Ryan and Emma discuss the evolving landscape of youth sports, particularly focusing on baseball. They are joined by Brian Storseth, who shares insights from his extensive experience in youth baseball coaching and administration. The conversation covers various themes including the importance of affordability and accessibility in youth sports, the benefits of multi-sport participat...

Why are so many young girls dropping out of sport—and what can we do to stop it? In this candid episode, Emma opens up about what it’s really like to grow up as a girl in the world of competitive sport. From being told to “smile more” on the ice to having her achievements reduced to comments on her appearance, Emma shares her personal experiences of gender bias, burnout, and the invisible pressure...

How young is too young to start lifting? This week on Rinkside, Emma and Ryan sit down with Andre Signoretti—former pro hockey player and co-owner of Ottawa’s Fitness Lab—to unpack the myths, realities, and best practices around strength and conditioning for youth athletes. Andre shares the difference between training right and training early, explains why mobility and movement quality come before...

What if the key to building NHL-ready talent isn’t more games—but more fun? This week on Rinkside, Emma and Ryan sit down with Corey Murphy—former NHLer and current Player Development Consultant for the Seattle Kraken—for a wide-ranging, eye-opening conversation on how elite hockey players are developed, and what North America could learn from European systems. Corey shares insights from his globa...

What does it take to reach the Olympic level—and help others get there? This week on Rinkside, Emma and Ryan sit down with Ian Mortimer, former world-class paddler and current Chief Technical Officer of Canoe Kayak Canada. Ian shares deep insight into the making of elite athletes, from his own journey wearing the Maple Leaf to helping Canada’s next generation navigate high-performance sport. They...

What happens when you're expected to win—every single time? This week on Ringside, Emma and Ryan sit down with Sarah Wilkes, lead for Team Homan, psychotherapist, and multi-sport national champion, for a deep, honest conversation about competing on the world stage and everything that comes with it. Sarah shares what it’s like to go from winning the Scotties to jumping on a plane to Korea for W...

Eric Macramella joins Emma Miskew and Ryan Steeves for a candid conversation about youth sports—what makes a kid truly successful on and off the field, the role of parents and coaches, and how to keep the game fun while still chasing excellence. Honest takes, real stories, and practical advice for anyone involved in youth athletics.

How important is the mental game in sports? Tune in this week as we talk with Jason Boivin, a certified mental performance consultant, to figure out when and how you can introduce this tool into your young player's toolkit!

Join Olympic curler Emma Miskew and sports insider Ryan Steeves as they chat with former NHL player Brendan Bell about youth sports and the role of parent coaching. Tune in for expert insights and valuable advice!