Our Kids Play Hockey | Hockey Stories & Teamwork Tips

🏒 The season is winding down… but the work isn’t over yet.

As playoffs approach — or the final games come into view — this episode of The Ride to the Rink is all about how you finish. Because whether you’re chasing a championship or counting down the last few skates, the habits you build right now matter more than you think.

In this solo ride, Lee shares the exact messages he’s delivering to teams across age groups as the season enters its final stretch — lessons that apply no matter where your team sits in the standings.

🚨 In this episode, we cover:

• Why the end of the season is the best time for honest self-reflection
• How to fight burnout, refocus your mindset, and reset your standards
• Why “slow starts” and “slow finishes” are team habits — not accidents
• What coaches really notice during the final games and evaluations
• Navigating ice time, shortened benches, and understanding your role
• How finishing strong impacts how coaches, teammates, and organizations remember you

💡 Whether you’re a player fighting for every shift, a leader trying to pull your team together, or a parent listening along in the car — this is a reminder that character shows up loudest at the end.

📩 Have a question you want us to answer on the show?
 Tap the link in the episode description to send it in — anonymously or by name.

👊 Finish strong. Always.

#RideToTheRink #YouthHockey #FinishStrong #HockeyMindset #Playoffs #TeamCulture #HockeyDevelopment #OurKidsPlayHockey

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We’re closing the book on 2025 with our annual Year in Review—and the numbers are WILD. From 156 episodes (yep—3 per week) to 4,454 minutes of content (74+ hours) and listeners in 100 countries, this show continues to grow because of one thing: the hockey community sharing it.

We also count down the Top 5 episodes of 2025 (plus an honorable mention), talk through the topics parents are clearly searching for most (tryouts, development, myths, and expectations), and pull back the curtain on what happens after we hit “end recording”—including how titles, transcripts, and social clips help families actually find the episodes they need.

And if you’ve ever wondered whether the show is still growing… November + December 2025 were the two biggest months we’ve ever had. Hockey-stick chart. Straight up.

Key Takeaways

• Consistency wins: 156 episodes in 2025 and no missed weeks in 6 years
• Global reach: listeners in 100 countries and 3,853 cities in 2025
• Top cities: Toronto #1, followed by Minneapolis and Chicago
• Top 10% on Buzzsprout: driven by listens per episode + community sharing
• The search effect is real: the episodes that rank highest are the ones parents need answers to (tryouts, benchmarks, myths)

The Top 5 Episodes of 2025 (Countdown)

• #5: Do Early Hockey Stars Stay Ahead? (Ep. 399)
• #4: What Skills Should My Kid Have at Their Age? (Ep. 390)
• #3: 3 Pieces of Advice Hockey Parents Ask For… and Ignore (Ep. 376)
• #2: Debunking Youth Hockey Myths w/ Bruins Performance Coach Kevin Neal (Ep. 358)
• #1: The Truth About Tryouts and Evaluations (Ep. 355)

Honorable Mention: The Underappreciated Defenseman (Ep. 343)

Practical Tips for Parents (takeaways from this discussion)

• Don’t panic over a 2–3 day tryout window—evaluation happens all season
• Use benchmarks as guardrails, not pressure—kids develop at different speeds
• When you’re stuck at the rink… search the website + share the episode
• Send questions in—some of the best episodes start with a listener email

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🏒 What does it really take to go from a 9-year-old hockey player with a dream… to an Olympian and professional hockey player?

In this special Our Girls Play Hockey Mailbag Episode (Part 1), hosts Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli are joined by our very own Olympic and professional hockey player Hayley Scamurra to answer your questions — straight from young players, parents, and families across the hockey community.

After posting a simple call for questions, the response was overwhelming. So many thoughtful, curious, and mature questions came in that this mailbag turned into a two-part series. In this episode, we focus on Hayley’s journey — from youth hockey to college, Team USA, and ultimately the pro game.

💬 You’ll hear Hayley answer questions like:

• How did she go from a 9-year-old player to an Olympian?
• What really separates good players from great ones?
• What skills Olympic coaches actually look for (hint: it’s not just goals)
• What habit did she have to unlearn to reach the next level?
• How important is mindset compared to talent?
• Why making mistakes is actually part of becoming elite

✨ This episode is packed with honesty, perspective, and reassurance for young players who feel pressure to be perfect — and for parents navigating the ups and downs of the hockey journey alongside them.

📌 Coming next: Mailbag Part 2 dives into life as a professional hockey player and the current state of women’s hockey — including the PWHL and what the future holds.

🎧 Listen in, take notes, and remind yourself (or your player) that the journey matters just as much as the destination.

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: From Dreamer to Olympian: What Young Players Can Learn from Hayley Scamurra’s Hockey Journey

#OurGirlsPlayHockey #WomensHockey #GirlsHockey #HockeyJourney #MentalGame #OlympicMindset #PWHL #YouthHockey #HockeyParents

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🚗 What if your best shift actually starts before you step on the ice?

On this episode of The Ride to the Rink, Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli are joined by mindset coach Sandy Cohan to talk about something every player can control — how you prepare mentally on the way to the rink.

Too many players think they can just flip a switch once the puck drops. The truth? Your competitive engine needs to be warmed up before you lace up your skates.

💡 In this ride, we break down:

• 🧠 Why your brain doesn’t understand “don’t” (and how negative thoughts sneak in)
• 🔁 How to replace “don’t mess up” with clear, powerful to-do thoughts
• 🎯 Why choosing a simple daily theme beats focusing on stats or outcomes
• ⚡ What it really means to be “impossible to ignore”
• 📈 How to measure gains, not gaps, after every game or practice
• 🕒 Why champions think in today’s, not seasons

This is a must-listen for players who want to compete harder, parents who want to help without adding pressure, and coaches who care about building confident, resilient athletes.

👊 Wherever you are on your hockey journey — we believe in you. You should too.

Skate hard. Have fun. Get better every day.

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: The Game Starts Before the Rink — How to Build Your Competitive Mindset Early

#RideToTheRink #HockeyMindset #YouthHockey #MentalPreparation #CompeteEveryDay #HockeyDevelopment #GainsNotGaps

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🧠 What if the most important skill your hockey player needs isn’t taught on the ice?

In this powerful episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee Elias, Christie Casciano-Burns, and Mike Bonelli are joined by Sandy Cohan, founder of Mental Edge Hockey and author of the 99 Rules book series, for a deep, honest, and eye-opening conversation about mindset, confidence, and what it really takes to develop resilient hockey players — and strong humans.

Sandy breaks down why mindset isn’t a “specialty skill,” but the foundation everything else is built on. From youth players struggling with confidence, to parents navigating the balance between protection and pressure, this episode delivers practical insight every hockey family needs.

🏒 In this episode, we discuss:

• Why confidence is built, not born
• The real difference between belief and confidence
• How defining “success” changes everything for young athletes
• Why kids don’t need to avoid failure — they need to learn how to get back up
• What parents and coaches often get wrong about motivation and grit
• How mindset training can (and should) start as early as 6–8 years old
• Why hockey is just the vehicle — and character is the destination

📘 Sandy also shares the story behind his 99 Rules Every Athlete Needs to Know and 99 Rules Every Sports Parent Needs to Know books — simple, powerful reminders that resonate far beyond the rink.

If you care about your child’s long-term development, love for the game, and life beyond hockey, this is a must-listen.

🎧 And don’t miss it — Sandy also joins us on The Ride to the Rink for a kid-focused follow-up your players will love.

Listen now and start building confidence from the inside out.

#OurKidsPlayHockey #MentalEdgeHockey #YouthHockeyParents #HockeyMindset #SportsParenting #PlayerDevelopment #ConfidenceAndGrit

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🚨 How do you grow a girls hockey league from a handful of teams to one of the largest in the country?

This week on Our Girls Play Hockey, hosts Lee Elias and Hayley Scamurra sit down with Bob Apter, President of the Northern Illinois Hockey League (NIHL) — an organization now home to 75 girls travel teams across five states and counting.

From humble beginnings to a multi-state powerhouse, Bob shares the inside story of how NIHL became a model for competitive balance, accessibility, and innovation in youth hockey. You’ll hear how creative ideas — like the “Peoria Rule” that makes travel more affordable and charm bracelet championships that celebrate every player’s journey — are reshaping the culture of girls hockey.

💡 Highlights include:

• The origin story of NIHL’s girls division — and how it scaled beyond Illinois
• Why “competitive balance” is the secret to retention and success
• The unique “Peoria Rule” keeping travel fair and affordable
• New initiatives linking NIHL with the PWHL and college programs
• How alumni like Cammi Granato, Kendall Coyne Schofield, and Abby Murphy continue to inspire
• Why now is the best time ever to start or grow a girls hockey program

👀 Whether you’re a parent, coach, or player — this episode is full of lessons on what it takes to build a thriving, inclusive hockey community.

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: How the NIHL Built One of the Largest Girls Hockey Leagues in America

🎧 Tune in, share with your team, and keep growing the game!

#GirlsHockey #YouthSports #PWHL #NIHL #CammiGranato #KendallCoyneSchofield #AbbyMurphy #OurGirlsPlayHockey #HockeyDevelopment #GrowTheGame #MidwestHockey

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🚗💨 What if not being “identified” as a top player early… actually worked in your favor?

On this episode of The Ride to The Rink, Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli are joined by their good friend Matt Dumouchelle, creator of Hockey Factories and a global student of hockey development. Matt has traveled the world studying how different countries develop players — and what he’s learned challenges a lot of the North American mindset around early selection, elite teams, and “being picked.”

Together, they dive into one of the most important messages young players and families can hear:

👉 Being selected at 10, 12, or 14 doesn’t determine how good you’ll be — but your habits, mindset, and effort absolutely will.

🔥 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why European hockey development focuses on developing everyone, not just early standouts
• Why being cut from a team is not the end of the road
• How work ethic, attitude, and energy outlast early talent
• Why your role as a player will (and should) change every year
• How playing different positions builds hockey IQ and long-term success
• Why consistency and commitment matter more than highlights

🏒 Whether you’re an 8-year-old just starting out, a teenager chasing your next opportunity, or a parent wondering how to support your child through the ups and downs — this episode is packed with perspective, reassurance, and motivation.

💡 Remember: You don’t have to be the best player right now. You just have to keep showing up and getting better.

🎧 Buckle up and enjoy the ride.

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Youth Hockey Development: Why Early Selection Doesn’t Define Success

 #TheRideToTheRink #YouthHockey #HockeyDevelopment #HockeyMindset #LongTermDevelopment #TrustTheProcess #HockeyParents #YouthSports #PlayerDevelopment #HockeyLife

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🏒 Are we building great hockey teams… or just chasing superstars way too early?

In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli are joined once again by hockey development consultant and writer Matt Dumouchelle for a deep, thoughtful, and at times uncomfortable conversation sparked by the World Junior Hockey Championship.

After watching Canada eliminated by Czechia for the third straight year, Matt shared a post that stopped a lot of people in their tracks — and it raised a question every hockey parent, coach, and administrator needs to hear:

👉 What if smaller hockey nations aren’t developing better players — but better teams?

With fewer resources, fewer rinks, and far fewer registered players, countries like Czechia, Finland, Sweden, and Latvia continue to punch above their weight on the world stage. Meanwhile, North America pours massive resources into identifying and developing a very small percentage of players at increasingly younger ages.

This episode dives into:

• The difference between team development vs. early superstar identification
• Why many European models are forced to develop every kid longer
• The hidden cost of early selection, constant movement, and “elite” labels
• Why hunger, cohesion, and shared identity still matter in modern hockey
• How youth coaches and organizations can shift focus without abandoning competitiveness
• What parents should actually expect at each age level — and why benchmarks matter

💡 This is not a Canada vs. Europe debate. It’s a conversation about how we grow the game, keep kids playing, and help more players reach their potential — on and off the ice.

If you care about development, culture, and the future of youth hockey, this one’s a must-listen.

🎙️ Listen. Reflect. Share the conversation.

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Are We Developing Hockey Players Too Early? Lessons from World Juniors & European Models

#OurKidsPlayHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyDevelopment #WorldJuniors #TeamOverTalent #PlayerDevelopment #HockeyParents #CoachingYouthHockey #GrowTheGame

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💭 Do you ever feel guilty for missing hockey?
Missing a practice for school. Saying no to a tournament. Choosing family time, another sport, or just a much-needed break. If that knot in your stomach feels familiar, this episode is for you.

In this powerful conversation, Lee Elias and Hayley Scamurra tackle a topic that players, parents, and even coaches experience — but rarely talk about out loud: the guilt of not always being at hockey.

From youth hockey pressures to elite-level perspective, Lee and Hayley unpack why this guilt exists, where it comes from, and how it can quietly lead to burnout if left unchecked. They also share practical advice for players and parents on how to communicate with coaches, recognize signs of overload, and create healthier expectations around commitment and balance.

✨ In this episode, we cover:

• Why missing hockey doesn’t mean you care less
• The difference between commitment and burnout
• How family, school, and other interests actually help development
• What healthy communication with coaches really looks like
• Signs your player may need rest — physically and mentally
• Why guilt shouldn’t be the driver in youth sports decisions

This episode is a must-listen for families navigating packed schedules, emotional pressure, and the belief that hockey must always come first. Because sometimes, the healthiest choice is stepping away — and that’s okay.

🎧 Listen in, reflect, and let us know what resonated with you.

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Is It Okay to Miss Hockey? Navigating Guilt, Balance, and Burnout in Girls Hockey

📩 Have a topic you want us to tackle? Email us at [email protected]
or click the link in the show notes to submit your question.

#OurGirlsPlayHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyParents #GirlsHockey #SportsParenting #AthleteWellbeing #HockeyLife #AvoidBurnout

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🧠 What if your thoughts and emotions were actually your biggest teammates?

On this episode of The Ride to The Rink, hosts Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli are joined live from Sweden by sports psychology experts Johan Fallby and Henrik Cronebäck for a powerful conversation just for young hockey players.

Together, they break down simple, practical mental fitness tools kids can use:

• On the way to practice 🚌
• Before a big game 🏒
• Even before a test at school 📚

💡 You’ll learn why feeling nervous is completely normal — and how to use those feelings to your advantage instead of fighting them.

🔑 Key takeaways for players:

• Why thoughts and emotions are your friends, not something to avoid
• The SOAL method (Stop, Observe, Accept, Let Go) for managing nerves and pressure
• How mental training is just as important as skating, shooting, and puck skills
• A simple “Top Three” nightly habit that boosts confidence, well-being, and sleep

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents, this one’s for you too — these tools work for kids and adults.

🎒 Two golden nuggets. One short ride. Tools you can use for the rest of your hockey journey — and life.

🏒 No matter where you’re at on your journey, we believe in you. You should too. Skate hard. Get better. Have fun.

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Mental Strength for Young Hockey Players: Simple Tools to Build Confidence Before the Game

#TheRideToTheRink #MentalFitness #YouthHockey #HockeyMindset #MentalStrength #SportsPsychology #GrowthMindset #HockeyKids #ConfidenceBuilding

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