Our Kids Play Hockey

Our Kids Play Hockey
  • 4.8 (69)
  • Hockey
  • Updated Weekly

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 AnchorMike Bonelli - USA Hockey Coach and Organizational ConsultantLee 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.

  1. 13h ago ·  Video

    What NHL Scouts Really Look For in Young Players with Former NHLer and NHL Scout Patrick Rissmiller

    🏒 What does an NHL scout really notice—and are youth hockey families focusing on the wrong things? Former NHL player, development coach, and current Anaheim Ducks scout Patrick Rissmiller joins Lee, Christie, and Mike for an honest conversation about how hockey players actually develop. Patrick’s path was anything but automatic. He went undrafted, entered professional hockey on a tryout, earned an American Hockey League contract, and eventually built a 13-year professional career that included time with the San Jose Sharks, New York Rangers, Atlanta Thrashers, and Florida Panthers. After retiring, he spent seven seasons as a development coach with the New Jersey Devils before moving into NHL scouting. His story is a powerful reminder that there is no single timeline—and no guaranteed formula—for success in hockey. In this episode, Patrick explains why parents should resist the urge to fast-forward development, why young athletes benefit from playing multiple sports, and how patience can become one of a hockey family’s greatest strengths. You’ll also hear: 🏒 Why doing more hockey does not automatically create a better player 🏒 What scouts evaluate beyond skating speed and point totals 🏒 How hockey sense, competitiveness, character, and versatility separate prospects 🏒 Why players should learn multiple positions instead of specializing too early 🏒 How coaches can create confidence by developing every player 🏒 Why youth hockey wins should never come at the expense of development 🏒 How accepting a different role can lead to more opportunities and ice time 🏒 Why being a great teammate may matter more than families realize 🏒 What Patrick learned after going from an offensive player to an NHL penalty killer 🏒 Why one coach believing in a young athlete can change everything Patrick also shares memorable moments from his professional career, including earning a contract through a tryout, adapting his game to stay in the NHL, and learning that opportunity often comes to players who are ready to say, “Yes, I can do that.” This conversation is essential listening for parents, coaches, and players who feel pressure to chase teams, specialize early, or measure development only through goals, rankings, and wins. The message is simple: Give young players time. Let them explore. Teach them to compete, adapt, and become the kind of teammate every coach wants. 📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: What NHL Scouts Really Look For in Young Hockey Players 🎧 Listen now and share this episode with a hockey parent or coach who needs the reminder that development is a journey—not a race. #OurKidsPlayHockey #YouthHockey #PatrickRissmiller #HockeyDevelopment #HockeyParents #HockeyCoaching #NHLScout #MultiSportAthlete #HockeyIQ #PlayerDevelopment #YouthSports #HockeyFamily Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Keep your player sharp this summer with NHL Sense Arena. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at hockey.SenseArena.com/okph 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: Facebook GroupXInstagramLinkedInYouTube

  2. 2d ago ·  Video

    Our Girls Play Hockey: How Players Can Get More From Every Hockey Camp

    🏒 Is your player attending hockey camp—or simply spending more time on the ice? Hockey camps can be an incredible opportunity for girls to improve their skills, meet new teammates, build confidence, and rediscover their love for the game. But with so many camps available, how can families tell the difference between a meaningful development experience and an expensive week that offers little lasting value? In this episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, Lee Elias and Olympic gold medalist and PWHL champion Hayley Scamurra break down what players and parents should look for before registering for a hockey camp—and how to make the most of the experience once they arrive. Hayley also takes listeners behind the scenes of the Scamurra Camp in Buffalo, where she coached alongside her father and created an experience that combined on-ice instruction, off-ice training, mentorship, games, and a family fun skate. 🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn: 🏒 How to identify a camp that is truly focused on player development🚩 Why coach-to-player ratios, pricing, and scheduling can reveal major red flags💡 The difference between recreational camps and specialized skills camps📈 What realistic improvement should look like after a week of training🧠 Why players should leave camp with new tools—not expect an overnight transformation⏰ How preparation, punctuality, and professionalism affect the camp experience🤝 Why meeting new players can build confidence, communication, and important life skills👂 How coachability and constructive criticism help players grow🌟 What parents should say before dropping their daughter off at campThe biggest takeaway? A successful camp is not measured by whether a player becomes completely different in five days. It is measured by whether she leaves more knowledgeable, more curious, and better equipped to continue improving. Encourage your player to arrive early, introduce herself, ask questions, listen closely, and write down what she learns. The best camp experience often begins with a willingness to be coached. 📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: How to Choose the Right Hockey Camp—and Help Your Kid Get the Most From It Listen now and discover how the right hockey camp can help your player grow on the ice—and far beyond it. This episode is powered by NHL Sense Arena. Have a question for Hayley or the Our Girls Play Hockey team? Email team@ourkidsplayhockey.com. #OurGirlsPlayHockey #GirlsHockey #WomensHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyCamp #HockeyDevelopment #HockeyParents #PlayerDevelopment #GrowthMindset #Coachability #HayleyScamurra Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Keep your player sharp this summer with NHL Sense Arena. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at hockey.SenseArena.com/okph 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: Facebook GroupXInstagramLinkedInYouTube

    Our Girls Play Hockey: How Players Can Get More From Every Hockey Camp

  3. 5d ago ·  Video

    The Ride to the Rink: You Become Who You’re Around — A Youth Hockey Mindset Lesson with Doug Smith

    🚗🏒 What kind of hockey player are you becoming — and what kind of person are you becoming along the way? On this episode of The Ride to the Rink, powered by NHL Sense Arena, Lee and Mike are joined by former NHL player Doug Smith — a second overall NHL Draft pick and a member of the legendary Miracle on Manchester, one of the greatest playoff comebacks in NHL history. But today’s message goes far beyond goals, skating, and hockey highlights. Doug speaks directly to young players about identity, mindset, peer pressure, and the power of choosing who you surround yourself with. His message is simple but powerful: you become what you’re around. For kids who love hockey, dream big, and spend countless hours training, this episode is a reminder that your identity is bigger than the game. You are not just a hockey player. You are a teammate, a friend, a student, a family member, and a person still learning who you want to become. In this episode, kids and parents will hear about: 🏒 Why your identity should never be limited to being “just a hockey player” 🧠 How the people around you can shape your mindset, habits, and future 💬 Why communication is a skill you need to practice just like skating or shooting 🚀 How seeking out better players and positive people can help you grow 👨‍👩‍👧 Why parents are part of the village that helps young athletes find their path 🔥 Doug Smith’s advice to young players: “Get faster. The faster you are, the safer you are.” This is a great episode for young athletes and parents to listen to together on the way to the rink, especially if your player is navigating confidence, peer pressure, team dynamics, or figuring out who they are beyond hockey. Wherever you are on your hockey journey, we believe in you. You should too. 🎧 Listen now and share this episode with a hockey family who needs the reminder that growth happens both on and off the ice. 📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Doug Smith on Building Your Hockey Identity Beyond the Ice #TheRideToTheRink #OurKidsPlayHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyParents #DougSmith #NHL #HockeyMindset #YouthSports #HockeyLife #PlayerDevelopment #HockeyConfidence #SportsParenting #NHLsenseArena Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Keep your player sharp this summer with NHL Sense Arena. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at hockey.SenseArena.com/okph 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: Facebook GroupXInstagramLinkedInYouTube

    The Ride to the Rink: You Become Who You’re Around — A Youth Hockey Mindset Lesson with Doug Smith

  4. Jul 9 ·  Video

    Former NHLer Doug Smith on Hockey, Identity, and Rebuilding Your Life After the Game

    🏒 What happens when the game you’ve built your identity around is suddenly taken away? This week on Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli sit down with Doug Smith, former NHL forward, 1981 second-overall draft pick, Ottawa 67s standout, Bobby Smith Award winner, and one of the most powerful voices in hockey when it comes to resilience, recovery, and perspective. Doug’s story is extraordinary. After being drafted second overall and playing for NHL teams including the Los Angeles Kings, Buffalo Sabres, Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, and Pittsburgh Penguins, his life changed forever in 1992 when a devastating spinal injury overseas left him facing a future as a quadriplegic. But Doug fought back. In this deeply moving and thought-provoking conversation, Doug shares how he relearned movement, rebuilt his life, and shifted from trying to be “the best in the world” to becoming “the best for the world.” In this episode, we discuss story is extraordinary. After being drafted: 🏒 The pressure of being highly ranked, highly drafted, and labeled early 🧠 Why hockey players need an identity beyond the game 💪 How support, love, and environment shape recovery and performance 🌎 Doug’s “world-brain” approach to human performance and transformation 🥅 Why parents should focus less on points, rankings, and recruiting — and more on process ❤️ What hockey families can learn about vulnerability, emotional control, and resilience 🚀 Why youth sports should prepare kids for life, not just the next roster spot Doug also shares the system he now teaches through his performance and recovery work: awareness, purpose, motivation, focus, belief in self, trust, asking for help, and emotional control. Whether you’re a hockey parent, coach, player, or someone navigating adversity, this episode is a powerful reminder that the game can teach us far more than how to win. Because our kids are not just becoming better hockey players. They’re becoming people. 📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: From Second Overall to Starting Over: Doug Smith’s Powerful Message for Hockey Families 🎧 Listen now and share this episode with a hockey family who needs the reminder that resilience, community, and purpose matter far beyond the rink. #OurKidsPlayHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyParents #DougSmith #NHL #HockeyDevelopment #MentalHealthInSports #AthleteIdentity #Resilience #HockeyLife #YouthSports #PlayerDevelopment #HockeyFamily #SportsParenting #PeakPerformance Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Keep your player sharp this summer with NHL Sense Arena. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at hockey.SenseArena.com/okph 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: Facebook GroupXInstagramLinkedInYouTube

  5. Jul 4 ·  Video

    The Ride to The Rink: How Young Hockey Players Can Build Skills On and Off the Ice

    🏒 Want to become a better hockey player? It’s not just about what you do during practice — it’s about the habits you build everywhere else, too. On this episode of The Ride to The Rink, Lee, Mike, and Christie are joined by Coach Andrew, a high-level junior hockey coach and former NCAA player, to talk directly to young skaters and goalies about what really helps players improve. Andrew breaks down the balance between skill development and team systems, why younger players should spend most of their ice time building skills, and how players can start developing their hockey brains off the ice through video, chalk talks, and learning team concepts. But the biggest message? Great players don’t only grow during one hour of practice. They grow through their preparation, attitude, rest, schoolwork, backyard shooting, stickhandling, conditioning, and willingness to do a little more than everyone else. In this episode, we cover: 🥅 Why 8U, 10U, and 12U players should focus heavily on skill development  🏒 How team concepts can be learned off the ice without wasting valuable practice time  💪 Why strength, conditioning, and mobility become major separators as players get older  🧠 How young players can become better teammates through better habits  🔥 Why drive and desire have to come from the player — not parents, coaches, or teammates This is a great listen for young hockey players who want to improve, parents who want to support the right habits, and coaches who want to help kids develop the full picture of what it means to grow in the game. 📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: How Young Hockey Players Can Get Better On and Off the Ice 🎧 Listen now, have fun, skate hard, and go learn something.  #TheRideToTheRink #OurKidsPlayHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyDevelopment #HockeySkills #HockeyParents #HockeyCoach #OffIceTraining #HockeyMindset #SkateHard Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Keep your player sharp this summer with NHL Sense Arena. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at hockey.SenseArena.com/okph 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: Facebook GroupXInstagramLinkedInYouTube

    The Ride to The Rink: How Young Hockey Players Can Build Skills On and Off the Ice

  6. Jul 2 ·  Video

    Beyond the Scoreboard: Andrew Trimble on Youth Hockey Development That Lasts

    🏒 What really makes a hockey player better — more ice, a higher-level team, a longer commute, or the right culture? This week on Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and Christie Casciano-Burns sit down with Andrew Trimble, GM and co-owner of the New England Wolves Hockey Club, founder of Scoring Concepts, and author of Beyond the Scoreboard. Andrew has coached from learn-to-skate all the way to the collegiate level, giving him a rare perspective on what true development looks like at every stage of the game.  In this conversation, Andrew breaks down why hockey IQ is really about finding space, how small area games and street hockey can teach decision-making better than repetitive drills, and why parents should think carefully before assuming the “best” hockey opportunity is always the one with the longest drive or flashiest logo.  The crew also dives into junior hockey, billet families, player character, development-focused programs, parent communication, and the reminder that the goal is not just to build better hockey players — it is to help shape better people.  In this episode, we discuss: 🏒 Why hockey IQ starts with finding space, not just skill execution 🧠 How watching full games — not just highlight clips — helps players understand how plays develop 🥅 Why small area games and street hockey are powerful development tools 🚗 How parents can balance opportunity, pressure, fun, and family life 🤝 What junior hockey coaches look for beyond talent 🏠 Why billet families and community culture matter in player development 📈 Why development should include academics, character, confidence, and life decisions Andrew’s message is simple but powerful: every player’s path is different, and the best hockey environments are the ones that help kids grow as athletes, teammates, and people. 📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Beyond the Scoreboard: Andrew Trimble on Building Better Hockey Players — and Better People 🎧 Listen now and share this episode with a hockey parent, coach, or player who needs a reminder that development is bigger than the scoreboard.  #OurKidsPlayHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyParents #HockeyIQ #JuniorHockey #HockeyDevelopment #NewEnglandWolves #AndrewTrimble #SmallAreaGames #HockeyCulture #BeyondTheScoreboard #ADM #StreetHockey #PlayerDevelopment Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Keep your player sharp this summer with NHL Sense Arena. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at hockey.SenseArena.com/okph 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: Facebook GroupXInstagramLinkedInYouTube

  7. Jun 30 ·  Video

    Our Girls Play Hockey: Hayley Scamurra’s New PWHL Chapter in Las Vegas (A Day in the Life Series)

    🏒 What happens when you win a championship, celebrate the biggest season of your career—and then learn that your entire professional future may be changing? In the first Day in the Life episode of the new season, Olympic gold medalist and Walter Cup champion Hayley Scamurra joins Lee Elias and Mike Bonelli to discuss her next major chapter: signing a three-year agreement with the PWHL’s new Las Vegas expansion team. Hayley takes listeners inside a fast-moving expansion process filled with complicated rules, major career decisions, emotional goodbyes, and exciting new possibilities. She explains why Las Vegas felt like the right opportunity, how her relationship with general manager Domi DiMaggio and head coach Kim Weiss came full circle, and why she is ready to take on a more visible leadership role. The conversation also explores the realities of professional women’s hockey—from public salary information and cross-country moves to offseason training, adapting to a new market, and helping younger players learn what it truly means to become a professional. Most importantly, Hayley shares an encouraging reminder for every young athlete navigating change: the next part of your journey may be opening a door you cannot see yet.  In this episode: 🏆 Hayley reflects on winning the Walter Cup and celebrating with family  🎰 Why she signed a three-year deal with the Las Vegas expansion team  📋 How the PWHL expansion and player-selection process worked  💔 The mixed emotions of leaving a Montreal organization she loved  📈 How Hayley’s championship season increased her confidence and value  🤝 Why relationships and first impressions matter throughout a hockey career  🏒 Her vision for mentoring rookies and building a strong team culture  💰 Hayley’s perspective on salary transparency in professional women’s hockey  ☀️ The excitement—and logistics—of moving to Las Vegas  💪 How she knew her body and mind were ready to begin training again  ❤️ The role Nick Stoop and Hayley’s family play in supporting her career  🎯 Why she is staying present before setting her next major goal Whether you are a young player facing a new team, a parent helping an athlete navigate uncertainty, or a fan following the continued growth of professional women’s hockey, this episode offers an honest look at change, leadership, resilience, and opportunity. Subscribe to Our Girls Play Hockey and follow Hayley’s journey as she helps build a new PWHL organization from the ground up. 📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Hayley Scamurra’s Next Chapter: Leadership, Change, and Building Something New in Las Vegas Have a question for the show? Email team@ourkidsplayhockey.com. #OurGirlsPlayHockey #HayleyScamurra #PWHL #WomensHockey #GirlsHockey #LasVegasHockey #HockeyLeadership #WalterCup #ProfessionalHockey #HockeyDevelopment #FemaleAthletes #DayInTheLife Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Keep your player sharp this summer with NHL Sense Arena. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at hockey.SenseArena.com/okph 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: Facebook GroupXInstagramLinkedInYouTube

    Our Girls Play Hockey: Hayley Scamurra’s New PWHL Chapter in Las Vegas (A Day in the Life Series)

  8. Jun 27 ·  Video

    The Ride to the Rink: How Mind Mapping Can Transform Your Hockey Mindset with Pete Fry

    🧠 What if you could begin preparing for your best game before you even stepped onto the ice? In this episode of The Ride to the Rink, Lee is joined by goaltending and mindset expert Pete to introduce young athletes to mind mapping—a simple but powerful exercise that can help players visualize success, strengthen their confidence, and prepare mentally for tryouts, big games, and pressure-filled moments. Pete shares how he used this exercise with a goaltender preparing for a championship game. By writing down what he wanted to see, hear, and feel, the goalie created a clear mental picture of the performance he wanted to deliver. Lee and Pete then walk listeners through how they can build a mind map of their own.  🏒 In this episode, young athletes will learn:  How to create a mind map before a game, tryout, or important event  Why players should include what they want to see, hear, and feel  How visualization can help make a big moment feel more familiar  What to do when a negative thought interrupts their confidence  Why recognizing a negative thought is already an important victory  How to replace “I can” with the stronger statement “I am”  Why mental skills deserve practice just like skating, shooting, and saves Pete also offers a memorable way to understand negative thinking: your mind is like a garden. When you intentionally plant confident and constructive thoughts, you give those thoughts room to grow. When a negative thought appears, acknowledge it, swat it away, and return your attention to the picture you want to create. This exercise is not only for hockey. Young athletes can use mind mapping before a school presentation, recital, test, performance, or any situation in which they want to feel prepared and confident. 📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: How Mind Mapping Can Help Young Hockey Players Build Confidence 🎧 Listen together on the ride to the rink, then grab a piece of paper and create your own powerful-game mind map. No matter where you are in your hockey journey, we believe in you—and you should too. #TheRideToTheRink #YouthHockey #HockeyMindset #MentalPerformance #SportsConfidence #HockeyTryouts #Visualization #GoalieMindset #YoungAthletes #OurKidsPlayHockey Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team! Keep your player sharp this summer with NHL Sense Arena. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at hockey.SenseArena.com/okph 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: Facebook GroupXInstagramLinkedInYouTube

    The Ride to the Rink: How Mind Mapping Can Transform Your Hockey Mindset with Pete Fry
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4.8
out of 5
69 Ratings

About

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 AnchorMike Bonelli - USA Hockey Coach and Organizational ConsultantLee 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.

Information

  • Creator
    Our Kids Play Hockey
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    551
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Our Kids Play Hockey
  • Show Website
    Our Kids Play Hockey

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