Pucked Up Parents - Youth Hockey

In this episode of Pucked Up Parents , Michael and Angela take a fun detour off the ice and into pop culture, breaking down how hockey shows up on the big and small screen. They kick things off with a look at iconic hockey documentaries, including the legendary Miracle on Ice, sharing why stories like that still resonate with players and parents alike. From there, the conversation shifts to TV, wh...

In this episode of Pucked Up Parents , Michael and Angela trade in the frozen tundra for hot pavement as they dive into the world of off-ice hockey. From roller hockey leagues to driveway danglers, they break down summer training—where the only thing smoother than your kid’s hands is the melted asphalt under their wheels. They cover everything from rollerblade skate styles to the realities of outd...

In this episode of Pucked Up Parents , Michael & Angela dig into the never-ending challenge of feeding a youth hockey player—aka trying to outpace a kids metabolism that somehow survives on one decent meal and a mountain of rink snacks. They break down how to piece together actual dinners during the week while juggling practice schedules, late ice times, and the classic “we’ll just grab someth...

On this episode of Pucked Up Parents , Michael and Angela are joined by Patrick Michael of Hockey Gear For All, a foundation that donates gear to kids in need. He is truly a guest who brings both expertise and heart to the conversation. The episode covers all things hockey gear, from the importance of proper sizing (because nothing ruins a stride faster than ill-fitting equipment) to the less glam...

This episode of Pucked Up Parents, Michael and Angela dive headfirst into one of youth hockey’s most expensive and confusing pieces of equipment: the hockey stick. From flex to lie, blade curves to kick points, they break down the specs parents are told they need to understand… and the ones that probably don’t matter nearly as much as the pro shop guy says they do. Along the way, Michael tests Ang...

This week on Pucked Up Parents, Michael and Angela dive headfirst into the wild world of youth hockey tournaments — where the games are early, the hotel hallways are loud, and somehow you leave with three new hoodies you absolutely did not budget for. They break down the mysterious forces behind tournaments — the event companies, third-party organizers, and sanctioning bodies like USA Hockey — and...

Michael and Angela start off riding the high of recent Olympic hockey success — because nothing fuels delusion quite like watching elite athletes on TV make it look easy. Inspired by the big stage, they pivot into today’s topic: what actually happens after youth hockey? When your kid hits that 16–21 sweet spot, things get real. They break down the winding road beyond the local rink — from Juniors...

Michael and Angela lace up for the most stressful “non-season” season of all… youth hockey tryouts. Because nothing says spring flowers like roster anxiety for a season that doesn’t start until the leaves fall. They dive into the absurd timing of tryouts happening months before anyone’s sharpened a skate for real games. The rink rumor mill is already in playoff form: “I heard they already picked t...

This week on Pucked Up Parents , Michael and Angela dive into the myth known as the “off-season.” Spoiler alert: there isn’t one. They break down the world of spring and summer hockey — from skill camps and power skating clinics to tournament teams that are “super laid back” but somehow still require a bit of travel. Is it development? Is it fun? Is it just one more ice slot? Yes. They also tackle...

This week, Michael and Angela dive headfirst into the slippery ice of making new hockey friends—because nothing screams bonding like awkward hotel lobbies and forced smiles at team dinners. They tackle how to pass the endless downtime between games, whether it’s surviving board games , watching other sports on a TV in a hotel lobby or quietly judging other parents. Along the way, they explore how...

In this episode, Michael and Angela try to decode the wild, confusing, heavy maze that is youth hockey levels. From Mites to Squirts, PeeWees to Bantams , and all the way up to U16s and U18s , they break down what each level actually means—plus all the mysterious sublevels that somehow make it even more complicated. Because apparently “just hockey” isn’t a thing. They also dive into the skill tier...

Angela and Michael are back—and they’re frozen solid. 🥶 In this episode, the Pucked Up Parents hosts tackle one of youth hockey’s greatest challenges: surviving the Arctic tundra known as the ice rink . From mastering the art of layering to debating heated vests, wool socks, mittens, and why nothing ever keeps your toes warm, they break down what actually works. They also call out the mysterious...

On this episode of Pucked Up Parents, hosts Angela and Michael tackle one of the most inevitable parts of youth hockey life: forgotten, broken, or mysteriously missing gear. From skates left at home to sticks snapped in warmups, if it can go wrong on a hockey trip—it probably will. Angela shares a emergency goalie glove repair at an away tournament that proves lacrosse string, a needle, borrowed t...

Join Michael and Angela as they dive headfirst into the wonderfully sticky world of hockey tape! From the essentials—cloth tape and clear tape—to the art of taping your stick, your gear, and maybe even your sanity, they cover it all. They’ll break down hockey wax tricks, clever shortcuts (yes, even duct tape), and share tips and laughs that every youth hockey parent and player can relate to. Wheth...

Angela and Michael lace up for one of the most relatable episodes yet as they dive headfirst into the wild world of youth hockey travel . From hotel hacks that save your sanity (and your sleep) to road-trip survival tips that keep the car from smelling like a locker room by mile 10, they cover it all. The duo breaks down what to pack (and what you’ll definitely forget), how to plan for those inevi...

Angela and Michael welcome fellow youth hockey parent Shawna to the show for a deep (and slightly stressful) dive into the world of goalie parenting. Shawna’s son, Chase, guards the crease as the goalie for his senior varsity team, and she shares what it’s really like raising the last line of defense . From Chase declaring himself a goalie at a very young age to the eye-watering cost of goalie gea...

Michael & Angela break down the mysterious world of youth hockey practice — where cones multiply, relay races feel oddly competitive, and kids skate endless circles while coaches shout things that sound important. They talk through how practices are actually run, from props and drills to full-tilt chaos, and what parents are supposed to be doing during all of it. Spoiler alert: Michael enjoys read...

Michael & Angela dive into the chaos of the weekend’s youth hockey adventures—starting with Michael’s epic misfire en route to the rink. Then it’s all things Mites as they unpack the wild world of 8U and 6U hockey: split rinks, pint-sized goals, goalie rotations, and the all-important post-game snack strategy. It’s unfiltered and straight from the trenches of youth hockey parenting.

Michael and Angela kick things off by breaking down the journey from Learn-to-Skate to full-blown hockey obsession. They recap a few highlights (and lowlights) from the weekend’s games, decode the mysterious phrases you constantly hear yelled around the rink, and introduce you to the wild, lovable cast of characters that will soon become your new Hockey Family . Lace up—this one’s a beauty!

Youth Hockey; why are we here? what are the rules? why the smell? how much is this costin' me?

Michael & Angela drop the puck on the very first episode of Pucked Up Parents —and immediately question every life choice that led them into youth hockey. They kick things off by attempting to decode the endless pieces of a hockey uniform. (Why does a child need more protective gear than a medieval knight? A cup for a girl is called a what? Why are the socks actually not socks?) From there, th...