Our Kids Play Hockey | Hockey Stories & Teamwork Tips

🏒 What does it take to create a positive experience in youth hockey?

In this insightful episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, former NHL defenseman and mental health advocate Chris Therien joins Lee, Christie, and Mike to dive deep into the challenges and opportunities in youth hockey today. Drawing from his 12-year NHL career and personal experiences as a coach and parent, Chris shares hard-earned wisdom on how parents, coaches, and players can navigate the sport’s evolving landscape.

🔥 Topics Include:

•The power of adversity: How being cut from a team at 14 shaped Chris’s career and life.

•Youth hockey’s commercialization: Why the shift from community to business is impacting development.

•Parenting in sports: Are we focusing on the right goals for our kids?

•The role of coaches: How great coaches can inspire love for the game while developing life skills.

•Lessons from the pros: Chris shares the secrets of team-building and mental resilience learned in his NHL career.

Whether you’re a parent, player, or coach, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about creating better experiences in youth sports.

🎧 Tune in now to learn how we can all help our kids thrive on and off the ice!

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📖 Learn more about Chris in his book The Road to Redemption.

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#OurKidsPlayHockey #ChrisTherien #YouthSports #MentalHealth #HockeyLife

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Are you ready to elevate your hockey game and finish this season strong? 

On this episode of "The Ride to the Rink" hosts Lee and Mike share motivational strategies to help young players enhance their skills and performance in the second half of the season. They offer practical advice on setting achievable goals, managing time effectively, and honing specific skills both during team practice and personal time. With a focus on continuous learning and self-belief, this episode is packed with insights to inspire and guide players on their journey to improvement.

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Key Discussion Points

- Setting Goals for the Rest of the Season

- Time Management and Creating Opportunities

- Working on Skills Outside of Team Practice

- Continuous Learning and Improvement

- Motivation and Self-Belief

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We're Giving Away 5 20x44 Pickleball Paddles and Hockey Wraparounds!

In this episode of the Wraparound Roundtable, host Lee MJ Elias welcomes Brandon Contratto, a pro pickleball player and semi-pro hockey player, to discuss the intersection of these two sports.

Brandon shares his journey into pickleball, highlighting its rapid growth and the founding of 20x44 Pickleball, a venture aimed at supporting the community with affordable, high-quality equipment and coaching.

The conversation dives into the similarities between hockey and pickleball, emphasizing the physical and mental skills that transition between the sports.

Brandon offers an inspiring message about resilience and the "next ball" mentality, encouraging athletes to focus on the next opportunity.

Head to https://hockeywraparound.com/blogs/the-wraparound-roundtable/20x44 to enter to win!

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0:00 Innovative Sports Giveaways

1:42 Transition from Hockey to Pickleball Coaching

3:04 Hearts and Paddles Charity Event

6:13 The Mental Game of Pickleball

9:31 Next Ball Mentality in Sports

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Are you skating into 2025 with a fresh perspective?

On this episode of "The Ride to the Rink," host Lee Elias offers a motivational boost for players looking to reset and refocus as the new year unfolds. Lee encourages listeners to pause, reflect on their journey, and set new goals to enhance their skills and performance. By emphasizing the power of present actions, he guides players to take immediate steps toward improvement, ensuring that future success is built on today's efforts.

Key Discussion Points

- Resetting and Reflecting on the Hockey Season

- Setting New Goals and Focusing on Improvement

- Taking Action in the Present Moment

- Encouragement and Support for Listeners

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Are you ready to finish the hockey season on a high note? 

Join hosts Lee, Christie, and Mike as they explore strategies to keep the momentum going, no matter your team's current standing. 

Discover how to maintain positivity and motivation with engaging drills like the "candy drill," and tackle burnout by setting fresh goals and injecting fun into practices. Learn how to manage parent expectations and foster a supportive environment, all while embracing gratitude and a love for the game. 

With practical advice and personal anecdotes, this episode offers a roadmap to a rewarding hockey experience for coaches, parents, and players alike.

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0:00 Intro

2:01 Staying motivated after winter break

5:24 Maintaining positivity throughout the season

10:47 Redefining yourself mid-season

14:48 Gratitude in hockey

19:26 Parental behavior at youth games

25:32 Importance of team building

30:04 Celebrating progress and development

34:34 Closing arguments

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Are you ready to jump back into the swing of things after a long winter break?

In this episode of "Ride to the Rink," hosts Christie Casciano-Burns, Lee MJ Elias, and Mike Bonelli provide essential guidance for young hockey players and their parents as they transition back into their routines after a long winter break. The discussion centers on the importance of re-establishing daily habits that can help young athletes manage their time effectively and reduce stress. By focusing on creating structured schedules, the hosts offer practical advice on how to balance school, practice, and personal time, ensuring that young players can thrive both on and off the ice.

The episode also highlights the role of technology in staying organized. The hosts discuss various tools and apps that can assist in managing schedules and commitments, making it easier for families to keep track of practices, games, and other activities. Additionally, they touch on the significance of mental well-being, encouraging young athletes to reflect on the past year and set realistic goals for the future. By fostering a mindset that values enjoyment and personal growth, the podcast underscores the idea that young athletes are more than just hockey players, promoting a well-rounded identity that extends beyond the rink.

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0:00 Intro

2:00 Resetting After Winter Break

3:45 Importance of Routine

6:12 Gratitude and Mental Audit

8:46 Fun in Hockey

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Join Lee Elias, Christie Casciano, and Mike Bonelli to celebrate all things "Our Kids Play Hockey" from 2024.

Reflecting on the past year, we share insights into the podcast's impressive growth, and how we've ranked in the top 10% on Buzzsprout, and reached listeners in 77 countries. This episode also highlights the top episodes that have captivated the audience, from youth hockey journeys to inspiring interviews with NHL personalities. The hosts share their personal favorites, offering a glimpse into the stories and conversations that we believe resonated most with our listeners.

Looking ahead to 2025, we also tease exciting new content, including interviews with high-profile guests and plans for merchandise.

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0:00 Intro

0:08 Welcome and Year in Review

1:33 Podcast Ranking Achievement

2:33 Global Reach and Listener Locations

5:30 Top Cities for Listeners

8:55 Top Episodes of 2024

13:26 Favorite Episodes and Highlights

20:20 Christie's Top Picks

23:06 Mike's Top Picks

28:40 Lee's Top Picks

34:37 Looking Forward to 2025

39:55 Closing Remarks

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Happy Holidays from the Our Kids Play Hockey team!

On today’s episode of The Ride To The Rink, Lee, Christie, Mike, and Sheri share their advice for kids as they celebrate the holidays. From taking care of your gear, to having gratitude for the game - this episode is a great holiday listen.

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Lee, Mike, Christie, and Sheri share the warmest of wishes this Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa for the whole team! We’re grateful for each and every listener this and every season and hope you have a wonderful holiday spent with your families!

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Hello, hockey friends and families! 🎙️ This week’s episode of Our Kids Play Hockey is a short but special one. We’re thrilled to announce that our podcast has been nominated for the 2025 Hockey Podcast of the Year by the Sports Podcast Awards! 🏆 After winning in 2023 and 2024, we’re going for the hat trick—and we need your help to make it happen.

🗳️ Vote for Our Kids Play Hockey!

It’s simple:

• Click Here To Vote: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-hockey-podcast/ (or visit ourkidsplayhockey.com and click the banner at the top.)
• Scroll to find Our Kids Play Hockey & click VOTE
• Fill out the super quick form with your name and email (we promise they won't spam you!)

Your vote not only helps us win but also elevates the conversations we’re having within the hockey community. Let’s make this a victory we can all share!

Thank you for being part of our journey, and let’s win this one together! 🏒

➡️ Vote now and share this episode to spread the word!

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