Our Kids Play Hockey | Hockey Stories & Teamwork Tips

🧠 Ever wonder what separates good hockey players from great ones? It’s not just skating or shooting — it’s how they see the game. In this quick but powerful mini-episode, Lee and Mike dive deep into one of hockey’s most underrated superpowers: situational awareness.

From blue-line turnovers to risky rushes, goalie decisions to smart dump-ins, this episode breaks down how learning to “zoom out” and see the full 200x80 sheet can transform a young player’s game — and make coaches trust them more.

💡 In This Episode:

• Why goals rarely start where you think they do 🥅
• The dangers of far-blue-line turnovers (and how to avoid them)
• What “situational awareness” really means for players, goalies, and coaches
• How to stop being a liability and start being the player coaches want on the ice
• Why sometimes the smartest move is the simplest one

👀 Whether you’re a player learning the ropes or a coach trying to teach smarter hockey, this episode will change how you see every shift.

🎧 Tune in, take notes, and remember: great hockey isn’t just about playing hard — it’s about playing smart.

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Seeing the Whole Ice — Why Situational Awareness is the Smartest Skill in Youth Hockey

#YouthHockey #SituationalAwareness #HockeyIQ #CoachingTips #PlayerDevelopment #RideToTheRink #OurKidsPlayHockey

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Welcome to another Wraparound Roundtable — our holiday special series where we spotlight the biggest creators in the game and give away major prizes!

This week, we’re joined by the one and only Pavel Barber — stickhandling phenom, skills coach, and one of the most recognized names in online hockey content.

🎁 Giveaway Alert:

• Every episode = a chance to win a Green Biscuit + Puck Around
• This week’s multiplier: A Goalie Wraparound (Pavel’s pick!)
• 🔗 Head to HockeyNeverStops.com and enter now!

📌 In this episode, we cover:

• Pavel’s start in content creation: from random video posts to global recognition
• Why passion and obsession — not views — drive his creativity
• His coaching side: What skills really matter in a game (hint: not flashy toe drags)
• The mental side of content creation and helping kids through hockey
• What he learned from working with Itaguchi and players with limited resources
• A powerful message for kids: It’s not about being viral. It’s about being resourceful, consistent, and loving the process
• Why the “boring basics” matter more than any highlight reel move
• His own childhood obsession with the game, and how the joy of skating still hits just as hard today

💡 Whether you’re a player, parent, or creator, this episode is packed with real talk and rare insights from one of hockey’s most impactful minds.

📲 Follow Pavel: @heybarber | @pavelbarbertraining for the game-relevant stuff

🛑 REMINDER: There are two Roundtable episodes every week — and every entry = another shot at the grand prize. 10 episodes. 10 chances to win. Thousands in gear.

Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!

Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽

Heading into 2026, hockey families are asking: How do we get better? More ice time isn’t always realistic — but smarter training is. Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace.

🎯 Visit SenseArena.com/OKPH and use code OKPH to get 50% off plus $25 off an annual plan or headset bundle.

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This week on the Wraparound Roundtable, we sit down with one of the most colorful personalities in hockey — literally. Known online as RSpike20, the Purple Goalie has taken the beer league world (and Instagram) by storm with his hilarious skits, mic’d-up moments, and genuine love for the game.

🎧 In this episode, we dive into:

• How a love for the Lightning sparked his late start in hockey
• What it’s like learning to play goal as an adult — and turning that journey into content
• His creative process behind viral videos and his signature purple persona
• The tight-knit support of the local hockey community and fans who recognize him at the rink
• What most people don’t understand about goaltending (hint: stretch more!)
• Advice for young creators dreaming of turning their passion into content
• Behind-the-scenes stories, including the goalie creator game you’ve probably already seen!

💥 RSpike20 might have started from rec league, but his mission to spread fun, positivity, and passion through hockey content is making a major impact — all while fully dressed 60 minutes before puck drop.

🎁 GIVEAWAY ALERT:

This week’s prize:

🥅 Green Biscuit + Puck Around + Hockey Wraparound (courtesy of RSpike20)

🎄 Two episodes weekly = Two chances to win

🧊 10 total episodes = 10 shots at our massive grand prize

🎯 Enter now at HockeyNeverStops.com

Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!

Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽

Heading into 2026, hockey families are asking: How do we get better? More ice time isn’t always realistic — but smarter training is. Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace.

🎯 Visit SenseArena.com/OKPH and use code OKPH to get 50% off plus $25 off an annual plan or headset bundle.

Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know!

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✨ Do young girls take coaching more literally than boys? That’s the big question we dig into on this week’s episode of Our Girls Play Hockey!

Lee, Mike, and Team USA’s Hayley Scamurra share their coaching insights and personal experiences on how language, confidence, and context impact the way girls receive and process feedback compared to boys.

From locker room dynamics to building trust, the panel gets real about what works (and what doesn’t) when helping young female players thrive — and why it’s not about coaching them differently, but coaching them better.

🔥 Highlights from this episode:

• Why young girls often follow instructions to the letter — and how to encourage creativity without causing confusion
• The pressures girls feel in co-ed teams and how that shapes their approach to mistakes
• Specific language swaps coaches can use to make instructions clearer and more effective
• The importance of trust, body language, and context when coaching young female athletes
• Why positive feedback must be earned — and how to balance encouragement with accountability

Whether you’re a coach, parent, or player, this conversation will spark new ideas on how to support the next generation of girls in hockey. 🏒💪

👉 What do you think? Email us at [email protected]
or text us using the link in the description. We’d love to feature your thoughts in a future episode!

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Do Girls Take Hockey Coaching More Literally Than Boys?

#GirlsHockey #YouthHockey #CoachingTips #HockeyParents #PWHL #WomensHockey #OurKidsPlayHockey

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💭 Feeling the weight of being a hockey parent? You’re not alone. In this heartfelt and honest episode, Lee Elias, Christie Casciano-Burns, and Mike Bonelli open up about the mental and emotional load that comes with youth hockey — the long weekends, the money, the pressure, and the expectations we quietly carry.

🔥 In this conversation:

• Why so many parents tie their own worth to their kids’ performance 🧠
• The guilt, stress, and second-guessing that come after every game
• How money, time, and competition fuel anxiety for hockey families
• Why behavior—not outcomes—should be your real “win” metric
• What emotional resilience really looks like at home and at the rink
• Why “family first” isn’t just a saying — it’s a sanity saver ❤️

✨ Key moments include:

• Christie’s powerful reminder that “youth hockey is the good old days.”
• Lee’s story of skipping practice to prioritize family — and why it mattered more.
• Mike’s candid reflections on managing expectations as both coach and parent.

At the end of the day, this episode is a deep breath for every parent who’s ever thought, “Am I doing enough?” Spoiler: You are.

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: The Mental Load of Being a Hockey Parent: Managing Pressure, Guilt & Joy

🎧 Listen, laugh, and remember — you’re not crazy, the hockey world is.

#OurKidsPlayHockey #HockeyParenting #YouthHockey #SportsParenting #MentalHealthInSports #ParentPerspective #ChristieCascianoBurns #LeeElias #MikeBonelli #HockeyLife #FamilyFirst #YouthSportsBalance

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🎙️ “Okay.” “K.” “👍.”
Sound familiar? In this week’s episode of The Ride To The Rink, Mike and Lee tackle one of the sneakiest challenges facing young hockey players today — texting instead of talking.

From locker room group chats to misread messages, they break down why communication has become so complicated — and how simple face-to-face conversations can make you not only a better teammate, but a better person.

🔥 Highlights include:

• The hidden dangers of texting tone (and why emojis don’t fix it 😅)
• How miscommunication can fracture team dynamics
• Why coaches notice players who communicate confidently
• The difference between “I’m busy” and “I don’t care” in a text
• Tips to build verbal confidence — on and off the ice
• Real examples from Mike and Lee’s coaching experiences
• Why learning to talk to adults can actually get you more of what you want

Whether you’re a player, parent, or coach, this episode reminds us that while texting is convenient, real communication is a skill worth practicing. Because, as Lee puts it — “You can’t text that you’re open during a game.”

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: You Can’t Text “I’m Open!” — Why Hockey Players Need Real Conversations

🏒 Tune in, talk more, and keep skating forward.

#Teamwork #YouthHockey #CommunicationSkills #Leadership #LifeLessons #OurKidsPlayHockey #RideToTheRink #HockeyParents #HockeyLife #Sportsmanship

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On this episode of The Wraparound Roundtable, we roll into an incredible conversation with Hintsyy, a roller hockey creator who’s grown a community from the blacktop to the controller — and has become one of the funniest, most creative voices in hockey content today.

🎮 Known for breaking Chel (EA Sports NHL) in the most hilarious ways and building up the roller hockey scene online, Hintsyy shares how he transitioned from ice to inline during the COVID lockdown — and how it turned into a passion-fueled mission to showcase the game in a whole new light.

🏒 What you’ll hear in this episode:

• How a pandemic pivot turned into a passion for roller hockey
• The culture of roller vs. ice hockey — and why both are vital to the sport’s growth
• His creative process for making content (and why you shouldn’t chase views)
• The best and worst of breaking NHL on a console 😅
• Real talk on the creator grind, community, and what success really looks like
• Behind the scenes with creators like Nasher, Kazxi, and Mr. Heffey — and why they’re not just good at content, but great people

💬 “If you are truly obsessed with something and do it the right way… there are enough people in the world that will love it. It just takes time.”

🎁 This Week’s Giveaway Includes:

• Green Biscuit
• Puck Around
• + a Hockey Wraparound, handpicked by Hintsyy!
• 🔗 Enter now at hockeywraparound.com → Click the Wraparound Roundtable button.

💥 REMEMBER:

We drop TWO episodes every week — that’s TWO chances to win weekly and TEN total grand prize entries this season! Tune in next week for the next two episodes!

🏆 Grand Prize = A loaded hockey gear package including a Sparx Skate Sharpener, blade shades, Green Biscuit packs, deodorizers, Heads Up Hockey, Hockey Wraparound products, and more.

📲 Follow @hintsyy everywhere you scroll — for stunning inline clips and hilarious Chel chaos.

Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!

Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽

Heading into 2026, hockey families are asking: How do we get better? More ice time isn’t always realistic — but smarter training is. Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace.

🎯 Visit SenseArena.com/OKPH and use code OKPH to get 50% off plus $25 off an annual plan or headset bundle.

Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know!

Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow!

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This week on The Wraparound Roundtable, we kick off the official 2025 season with content creator and rising hockey influencer Kazxi — and trust us, this episode is an inspiration for hockey dreamers of all ages.

🌟 Kazxi’s story is unlike any other:

From discovering hockey during the Tampa Bay Lightning’s back-to-back Stanley Cup runs to picking up a stick just before his 24th birthday, he’s proof that it’s never too late to fall in love with the game. Starting out by streaming video games and diving into short-form content creation, Kazxi’s passion has now evolved into a full-fledged hockey lifestyle — both online and on the ice.

🎬 In this episode, Lee Elias and Kazxi talk about:

• Starting hockey as an adult and documenting every step
• His evolution from Fortnite streamer to hockey storyteller
• Why storytelling is the real backbone of content creation
• Advice for kids (and adults!) who dream of becoming creators
• The real challenges behind learning hockey for the first time
• Why ANYONE can start playing — ball hockey, roller, or ice!

💬 Plus: Kazxi shares the never-before-told origin of his screen name, how he went viral after 45 days of near-zero views, and the heartfelt fan message that reminded him why he does what he does.

🎁 This Week’s Giveaway:

• Green Biscuit
• Puck Around
• + a Hockey Wraparound, selected by Kazxi himself!
• 🔗 Enter at hockeywraparound.com → Click the Wraparound Roundtable tab.

💥 REMEMBER:

There are TWO episodes each week, giving you TWO chances to win! Each entry also counts toward our grand prize, featuring a Sparx skate sharpener, team deodorizer sets, gear from Green Biscuit, Hockey Wraparound, and much more. Stay tuned for the next episode later today!

🎯 Total this season: 10 episodes, 10 chances to win.

📺 Follow @Kazxi on all platforms and check out his content, especially for his “Every Outdoor Rink” video series – it’s one of the most creative hockey projects out there today!

Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!

Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽

Heading into 2026, hockey families are asking: How do we get better? More ice time isn’t always realistic — but smarter training is. Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace.

🎯 Visit SenseArena.com/OKPH and use code OKPH to get 50% off plus $25 off an annual plan or headset bundle.

Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know!

Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow!

Follow Us On Social Media:

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Ready to revolutionize your young hockey player's mindset? 🏒💪

"The Ride to the Rink" serves up a game-changing episode packed with insights from PWHL star Hayley Scamurra and Coach Nick Stoop. They tackle the tough questions: How do you keep the love for hockey alive? What's the secret to performing under pressure? And why is positioning more crucial than points?

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Recognizing when it's time for a team change
• The power of self-awareness in youth sports
• Shifting focus from scoring to smart positioning
• Mindset tricks that lead to on-ice freedom
• Controlling the controllables: effort, mindset, and diet

From Hayley's personal journey of switching teams to Coach Stoop's revolutionary approach to performance, this episode is a must-listen for players and parents alike. It's not just about hockey—it's about building a mindset for success in sports and life.

Want to unlock your child's full potential on the ice? Tune in and discover how a simple shift in perspective can lead to incredible results. Remember, it's not about the points—it's about the position you put yourself in to succeed!

🎧 Got questions? Reach out at ourkidsplayhockey.com. And don't forget to check out "When Hockey Stops" at whenhockeystops.com!

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime?

Check out our companion blog: Unlocking Your Potential Through Mindset Changes with Coach Nick Stoop

#RideToTheRink #YouthHockey #HockeyMindset #SportsPsychology #BWHL

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💬 “If your kid’s frustrated about ice time, this episode is your playbook for turning conflict into connection.”

Today, Lee and Mike sit down with Jen Fry — a sports educator, inclusion consultant, and communication strategist who’s worked with organizations like the NCAA, ESPN, and the NFL — to tackle one of the hardest parts of youth sports: communication.

From locker room dynamics to late-night parent frustrations, Jen shares how families, players, and coaches can build trust, transparency, and self-advocacy — even in tough moments. You’ll learn why letting kids use their own voice (even when it’s hard) leads to stronger athletes and stronger humans.

🔥 Episode highlights:

• Why “hard conversations” are essential for growth — not something to fear
• The right way for kids to ask coaches about playing time
• Why parents should journal before talking to coaches (yes, really!)
• How to teach advocacy skills as young as age 8
• The truth about locker room conflict and team culture
• The one thing coaches and parents must stop doing immediately

Whether your child is on the first line or the bench, this conversation will help your family handle emotions, expectations, and communication like pros — on and off the ice.

🎧 Tune in and learn how to turn every conversation into a coaching moment.

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime?Check out our companion blog: Teaching Kids to Communicate in Hockey — Lessons from Jen Fry

#YouthHockey #ParentingInSports #HockeyParents #JenFry #CommunicationSkills #OurKidsPlayHockey #SportsParenting #YouthSports #CoachingCulture

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