Our Kids Play Hockey | Hockey Stories & Teamwork Tips

In this special mailbag episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee and Mike dive into some powerful listener-submitted questions that hit at the heart of today’s youth hockey experience—from the overwhelming costs of AAA, to what really matters when choosing a team, to how concussions can change the way young players approach the game.

Whether you’re a hockey parent struggling with financial decisions, a coach wondering how to build true team culture, or just trying to figure out how to support your child’s passion for the game, this episode is packed with insight, honest advice, and real stories from decades in the rink.

We also talk about:

• What to do when your child’s motivation changes
• Why there’s no “one path” in hockey development
• The real role of team building (spoiler: it’s not just pizza parties)
• And why sometimes the best thing to do… is step back

📩 Got your own question for the show? Email us at [email protected] or text us through the link in the show notes!

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On this episode of Ride to the Rink, we’re joined by a true hockey visionary—Howard Dolgon, founder and longtime owner of the Syracuse Crunch, who turned a dream into a franchise and a franchise into a legacy.

Howard reflects on his journey from a tough Brooklyn neighborhood to the New York State and Syracuse Hockey Halls of Fame—a path paved not by luck, but by passion, perseverance, and relentless belief. He opens up about the power of effort over excuses, the importance of chasing your potential, and why he’s still dreaming big after 30+ years in the game.

This is an episode for the kids with big dreams, the parents who believe in them, and the coaches who help them grow. If you’ve ever wondered how far love for the game can really take you—this ride is for you.

🛑 Don’t miss this heartfelt and hard-earned wisdom from a man who’s still got plenty of game left.

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What does it take to build a hockey franchise from the ground up—and keep it thriving for 30+ years? In this inspiring episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, we’re joined by Howard “Howie” Dolgon, the founder, owner, and president of the Syracuse Crunch, AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

From growing up on the streets of Brooklyn to hosting the first outdoor AHL game in history, Howie shares his incredible journey and the lessons he’s learned about perseverance, community, and building something bigger than yourself. We cover:

• ✅ How he brought pro hockey to Syracuse after four teams had failed
• ✅ Why the Crunch became a model of success—and a family for so many players
• ✅ What makes an impactful coach at every level of the game
• ✅ The powerful community culture surrounding the Crunch—and how it all starts with giving back
• ✅ Stories of NHL stars like Yanni Gourde and Jon Cooper that began in Syracuse

Whether you’re a parent, coach, or just love the game, this episode is a masterclass in turning passion into purpose. Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at how one team—and one leader—can change an entire community.

🎧 Listen now and share with the hockey people in your life!

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Team USA gold medalist and NCAA champion Caroline Harvey joins us for a special The Ride to the Rink edition—and she’s talking directly to young players chasing big goals.

Whether you dream of playing high school, college, or even Olympic hockey, this quick conversation is packed with the kind of advice that helps you take the next step in your game.

🏒 In this episode:

• ✅ Why small, daily habits matter more than highlight-reel moments
• ✅ What Caroline still does every day to improve her game
• ✅ The balance between having fun and putting in the work
• ✅ How muscle memory helps you stay confident on the ice
• ✅ Why practice is just as important as game day

This one’s short, powerful, and meant to be played on the way to your next skate.

💬 “Whatever your goals are, you can achieve them—if you’re consistent, focused, and having fun along the way.”

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Fresh off a national championship with Wisconsin and a gold medal at the 2025 Women’s World Championship, Caroline Harvey joins Lee, Sherry, and Mike for a powerful conversation about her rise through the hockey world—and what it really takes to make it.

From playing boys’ hockey in New Hampshire to becoming the best defenseman on the planet, Caroline (aka “KK”) shares the real behind-the-scenes work that led to her success. She opens up about what helped her stay driven, how to handle nerves before the biggest games of your life, and why the daily grind is the most important part of any athlete’s journey.

🏒 Topics include:

• ✅ How Caroline knew she wanted to play D1 hockey—at age 12
• ✅ The importance of choosing hockey for yourself—not your parents
• ✅ The transition from boys to girls hockey—and why both mattered
• ✅ Team USA vs. Canada: inside the gold medal rivalry
• ✅ What today’s youth players need to know about commitment, failure, and goals
• ✅ Why representation, mentorship, and giving back matter now more than ever

Whether you’re a young player with big dreams or a parent navigating the development path, this episode is filled with honesty, inspiration, and elite-level wisdom from one of the best in the world.

💬 “If you have goals in mind and you set your mind to it… you can achieve it if you put in the work—consistently, every day.” —Caroline Harvey

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We get asked for advice all the time… but what happens when that advice goes in one ear and out the other?

In this episode, Lee and Mike dive into three common pieces of guidance that youth hockey parents frequently seek out—then completely disregard. From multi-sport overload, to the myth of showcases, to chasing teams hours away for more letters, we tackle the realities of what kids really need to develop and thrive in this sport.

🏒 Topics include:

✅ Why playing multiple sports at the same time can backfire

✅ The truth about “showcases” and being “seen”

✅ Travel time vs. development time—what matters more?

✅ How burnout often starts way before it shows up

✅ Choosing development over “the best” team

✅ Why off-ice habits and creativity are just as important as ice time

Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned hockey parent, this one is packed with real talk, proven experience, and thoughtful questions to help guide your hockey family’s journey.

💬 As always, we’re not here to judge—just to share what we’ve seen and learned along the way.

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🏒 Ever wondered what it takes to create a winning goalie partnership in youth hockey? Discover the secrets behind successful team dynamics with insights from Olympian Sami Small on "Ride to the Rink." This episode is packed with valuable advice for young players and coaches, emphasizing the power of teamwork and mutual support.

Key Discussion Points:

- Multiple Goalies on a Team: Understanding the dynamics and choices involved in who plays.

- Goalie Partnerships and Support: Why there's no "backup goalie"—just teammates supporting each other.

- Skater-Goalie Interactions: Tips for skaters on effective communication and interaction with goalies.

- Goalies Advocating for Themselves: Strategies for young goalies to enhance practice engagement.

- Dealing with a Goalie's Bad Game: How teammates can constructively support a struggling goalie.

Sami Small shares her wisdom on fostering a positive environment where every player thrives. Whether you're a goalie, skater, or coach, these insights will help you build a cohesive and supportive team. 🥅

#YouthHockey #GoaliePartnerships #Teamwork #RideToTheRink #HockeyInsights

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In this week's episode of Our Kids Play Goalie, Lee Elias, Christy Casciano-Burns, and Mike Bonelli welcome a true icon in women’s hockey—Sami Jo Small, three-time Olympian, two-time gold medalist, and a lifelong advocate for inclusion, purpose, and team unity.

From being the only girl on the street in Winnipeg playing road hockey with her brother’s friends, to starting in net for Team Canada, Sami’s path wasn’t just unconventional—it was groundbreaking.

We explore:

• Her early days as “the girl goalie” and how inclusion, support, and street hockey shaped her identity.
• Why playing in boys’ leagues taught her resilience—and what we can all learn from being “different” on the team.
• What her parents got right about letting her play—and how small decisions from adults can shape a child’s future.
• Stanford, mechanical engineering, and club hockey on a men’s team—how she kept joy in the game without the pressure of being seen.
• How she made Team Canada almost by accident, thanks to a chance meeting, a bold leap of faith, and one coach who believed in her.
• How it felt to be told she wouldn’t start in the 2002 Olympic gold medal game—and how that moment shaped her understanding of roles, leadership, and humility.
• The myth of the “one goalie system” and how goalies can and should support each other.
• What it really means to be part of a championship team—and how we can teach this to our kids now, at every level of youth hockey.
• Why joy—not ambition—should drive a young athlete’s development.
• Her daughter’s decision to leave hockey and how Sami learned to support a completely different kind of journey.

This episode is a masterclass in humility, perspective, and purpose. Whether you’re raising a goalie, coaching one, or are one, Sami’s story will change the way you see the game—and the people in it.

📚 Also mentioned: The Role I Played by Sami Jo Small – a must-read memoir about elite sports, adversity, and identity.

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What’s your role on the ice—and how can you lean into it, even if it’s not the one you wanted? In this Ride to the Rink, NHL veteran and current youth coach Zac Rinaldo shares real-world advice for players navigating team dynamics, finding their identity, and expanding their skillset.

From his own evolution through junior, pro, and now coaching, Zac breaks down how players can:

• 🔑 Understand and embrace their role
• 🧰 Build a versatile “toolbox” of skills
• 💬 Communicate effectively with coaches
• 🧠 Develop the mindset to grow through challenges

Whether you’re a first-liner or still figuring it out, this episode is packed with practical insights for becoming a more complete hockey player—and teammate.

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Getting cut from a team hurts—but it doesn’t define your future. Olympic gold medalist and broadcaster Tessa Bonhomme joins The Ride to the Rink to deliver an inspiring message to every young player who didn’t make the team this season.

In just 10 minutes, Tessa shares:

• Why being cut can actually be a gift
• How to turn disappointment into fuel for growth
• The truth about building a winning team (hint: it’s not all top scorers)
• Her personal “Google Maps” analogy for navigating your unique hockey path
• A powerful mindset shift: “Face Everything And Rise”

Whether you’re on a new team or still searching for your next opportunity, this episode is a reminder that adversity is part of every great hockey story—including yours.

🎙️ Press play, get motivated, and get to the rink ready to rise.

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