Our Kids Play Hockey
Our Kids Play Hockey is a podcast that focuses on youth hockey, offering insights, stories, and interviews from the hockey community. It provides valuable advice for parents, coaches, and players, covering various aspects of the game, including skill development, sportsmanship, teamwork, and creating a positive experience for young athletes. The show frequently features guests who share their expertise and personal experiences in youth hockey, both on and off the ice.
The show features three hockey parents, who all work in the game at high levels:
- Christie Casciano-Burns - USA Hockey Columnist, Author, and WSYR Anchor
- Mike Bonelli - USA Hockey Coach and Organizational Consultant
- Lee M.J. Elias - Hockey Entrepreneur, Author, and Team Strategist
In addition to the main podcast, there are several spin-off series that dive into specific aspects of youth hockey:
1.Our Girls Play Hockey – This series highlights the growing presence of girls in hockey, addressing the unique challenges they face while celebrating their accomplishments and contributions to the sport.
2.The Ride to The Rink – A shorter, motivational series designed to be listened to on the way to the rink, offering quick, inspirational tips and advice to help players and parents get into the right mindset before a game or practice.
3.Our Kids Play Goalie – This series is dedicated to young goalies and the unique challenges they face. It provides advice for players, parents, and coaches on how to support and develop young goaltenders, focusing on the mental and physical demands of the position.
Together, these shows provide a comprehensive platform for parents, players, and coaches involved in youth hockey, offering insights for all aspects of the sport, from parenting, playing, or coaching to specialized positions like goaltending.
- Update frequency
- every 2 days
- Average duration
- 39 minutes
- Episodes
- 416
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2025
The Truth About Tryouts And Evaluations
In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, hosts Lee MJ Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Sheri Hudspeth, tackle the often daunting world of youth hockey tryouts. They share personal stories and professional i…
The Ride To The Rink: Feel Good, Play Good: Mastering Your Hockey Equipment
Are you ready to elevate your hockey game by practicing like a pro? 🏒
This week's "Ride to the Rink" dives into the essentials of equipment usage and safety gear, ensuring young players and their par…
Breaking Barriers in Hockey Coaching with the NHLCA’s Lindsay Pennal
How do we get more women behind the bench in hockey? Lindsay Pennal, the Executive Director of the NHL Coaches Association, joins Our Girls Play Hockey to share her journey in leading the NHLCA, the …
2025 USA Hockey Rule Changes: What Parents and Coaches Need to Know 🏒
What do the latest USA Hockey rule changes mean for your young athlete's game?
In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, hosts Lee, Christie, and Mike break down the latest USA Hockey rule updates for …
The Ride to the Rink - Should You Play Spring Hockey? 🏒
Spring is here! As the temperatures rise and the ice starts to melt, you might be wondering: Should I keep playing hockey in the spring, or is it okay to take a break?
In this episode, Lee MJ Elias, M…
The Ride To The Rink - Pressure is a Privilege with Coach Vinny Malts
🚨 Feeling the pressure before a big game? You’re not alone. But what if we told you that pressure is actually a privilege? In this episode, mental performance coach Vinny Malts—who works with NHL pla…
The Power of Mental Performance with Coach Vinny Malts
In today’s episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, we dive into the critical role of mental performance in hockey with Coach Vinny Malts, a former pro player turned elite mental performance coach. Vinny has…
The Ride To The Rink - How To Break Into Sports Broadcasting with Jamie Hersch 🎙️🏒
Calling all young hockey players and future broadcasters! In this episode of The Ride to the Rink, broadcaster Jamie Hersch joins Lee Elias to share how kids can turn their love for sports into an ex…
Breaking Barriers in Hockey Broadcasting With Jamie Hersch 🎙️🏒
In this episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, we welcome Jamie Hersch, a trailblazing broadcaster and studio host for the NHL Network, MLB Network, PWHL, Minnesota Wild, and Vegas Golden Knights. From gr…
Introducing The Hockey Parent Awards
What makes a hockey parent truly legendary? 🏒
In this entertaining episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, hosts Lee, Christie, and Mike explore the lighter side of hockey parenting with a series of humorous…
The Ride To The Rink - The Game Changing Power of Positive Body Language
In this episode of The Ride to the Rink, Lee and Mike discuss the often-overlooked power of positive body language in hockey. While much attention is given to avoiding negative habits like sulking or…
The Ride To The Rink - Supporting Yourself & Your Teammates with Kendra Fisher
Hockey is more than just a game—it’s a team, a family, and a place where players support one another both on and off the ice. In this episode of The Ride to the Rink, we welcome world-class hockey pl…
The Underappreciated Defenseman
In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee and Mike shine a spotlight on one of hockey’s most vital yet underappreciated positions: the defenseman. They break down why strong defensive play is the …
The Ride to The Rink - Wearing the Logo with Pride
What does it take to become a great hockey player—and a great teammate?
In this episode of The Ride to the Rink episode, Lee Elias, Christie Casciano Burns, and Mike Bonelli are joined by Matt Dumouc…
Our Girls Play Hockey - Breaking The Mental Health Stigma with Kendra Fisher
In this episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, goaltender-turned-advocate Kendra Fisher shares her journey from making Team Canada to battling severe anxiety and panic disorder. She reveals how hockey bec…
Building Hockey Factories With Matt Dumouchelle
In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee, Christie, and Mike sit down with Matt Dumouchelle, the creator of the Hockey Factories series and podcast via The Coaches Site. Matt’s in-depth explorati…
The Ride To The Rink - The Secret Sauce of Hockey Greatness with Legendary NHL Coach Mike Keenan
Are you ready to unlock the secrets of hockey greatness? 🏒✨
Buckle up as this episode of "The Ride to the Rink" brings you hall of fame advice from legendary NHL coach Mike Keenan! Host Lee MJ Elias a…
The Ride To The Rink - Cherie Piper on Chasing Your Goals
In this episode of The Ride to the Rink, three-time Olympic gold medalist Cherie Piper shares wisdom for young hockey players chasing their dreams. Whether your goal is to play in the PWHL, make it t…
The Art and Science of Coaching with NHL Legend Mike Keenan
What does it take to coach the greatest hockey players of all time?
In this unforgettable episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, the legendary Coach Mike Keenan joins Lee, Christie, and Mike to share wisdom…
The Ride To The Rink - Don’t Let 12 Seconds Define Your Game
In this week's episode of Ride to the Rink, Lee and Mike dive into a crucial lesson for young players: how to keep your emotions in check and stay present, no matter what happens on the ice. Using re…