Pucked Up Parents - Youth Hockey

Picked Up Parents
  • 5.0 (2)
  • HOCKEY

Pucked Up Parents, hosted by Angela and Michael, is the weekly podcast for every youth hockey parent who’s ever been confused by stick tape rituals, overwhelmed by team chats, or blindsided by yet another “surprise” tournament fee. Each episode, Angela and Michael face off with a mix of lighthearted rants, actually useful tips, and hilariously relatable stories from fellow first-generation hockey parents—plus a few lifelong rink rats who’ve seen it all. We break down Rules and Rituals, survive Rinks and Road Trips, and offer candid Reflections on Hockey Life, all served with sarcasm,

  1. Youth Hockey Tournaments: Tourney Companies, Merchandise and Unstable Schedules

    5D AGO

    Youth Hockey Tournaments: Tourney Companies, Merchandise and Unstable Schedules

    This week on Pucked Up Parents, Michael and Angela dive headfirst into the wild world of youth hockey tournaments — where the games are early, the hotel hallways are loud, and somehow you leave with three new hoodies you absolutely did not budget for. They break down the mysterious forces behind tournaments — the event companies, third-party organizers, and sanctioning bodies like USA Hockey — and how all of them seem to have mastered the art of scheduling your first game at 6:10AM… across state lines. The duo unpacks how brackets are built, why tie-breakers feel like advanced calculus, and how you can go from first place in your pool to eliminated before lunch. Michael pitches his own “Pucked Up Parents Invitational” tournament concepts — which Angela immediately shuts them down based on how bad they are. The recap the weekend of MIchigan hockey and how they are gearing up for Kentucky State Hockey tournament next weekend. They discuss the tournament swag, gear, trophies, medals and banners that you get to take home along with a drawstring bag full of stuff that you will probably throw away.

    47 min
  2. The Next Level; What Exists Beyond Youth Hockey

    FEB 27

    The Next Level; What Exists Beyond Youth Hockey

    Michael and Angela start off riding the high of recent Olympic hockey success — because nothing fuels delusion quite like watching elite athletes on TV make it look easy. Inspired by the big stage, they pivot into today’s topic: what actually happens after youth hockey? When your kid hits that 16–21 sweet spot, things get real. They break down the winding road beyond the local rink — from Juniors life (hello, billets)), to elite prep programs, to the dream (and price tag) of juniors & college hockey. They talk about how USA Hockey slices the country into districts and regions, and why geography suddenly matters way more than it did back in Mite house league. Michael and Angela unpack the rollercoaster of realizing your “hockey family” might soon be shipping your kid off to live with strangers in another state. It’s honest, slightly sarcastic, and just hopeful enough to keep everyone paying those hockey fees. Of course, it wouldn’t be Pucked Up Parents without a weekend recap. There were final home games, trips to Pittsburgh and a hotel stay that took a dark turn after Michael saw a TikTok about people washing underwear in coffee makers. Let’s just say… he’s officially sworn off in-room coffee forever. Angela has thoughts. From Olympic dreams to hotel hygiene nightmares, this episode is about chasing the next level — and surviving it as parents.

    47 min
  3. Tryouts: A Parent’s Guide to Pretending We’re Calm (Youth Hockey)

    FEB 20

    Tryouts: A Parent’s Guide to Pretending We’re Calm (Youth Hockey)

    Michael and Angela lace up for the most stressful “non-season” season of all… youth hockey tryouts. Because nothing says spring flowers like roster anxiety for a season that doesn’t start until the leaves fall. They dive into the absurd timing of tryouts happening months before anyone’s sharpened a skate for real games. The rink rumor mill is already in playoff form: “I heard they already picked the top line.” “NHL Prospect from 2 towns over is gnna tryout.” If it’s whispered near a Zamboni, it must be true. Michael and Angela also tackle the ultimate parent torture device: tryouts that are completely off-limits to parents. No glass-banging. No pacing the bleachers. No lip-reading from the lobby. Just you, a stale coffee, and your imagination assuming your child forgot how to hockey. They take a playful jab at the “organization hoppers” — the families who treat youth hockey like free agency, switching rinks every year in search of greener ice and a coach who “really sees” their kid’s potential. Is it strategic? Is it chaotic? Is it just exhausting? Yes. And because humility builds character (apparently), Michael and Angela share their own war stories of when their kids absolutely tanked tryouts. The missed passes. The invisible shifts. Equal parts painful and priceless, those moments turned into lessons about resilience, perspective and being humble. It’s an episode about hope, hype, heartbreak, and the annual reminder that in youth hockey, everyone’s a scout, nobody’s calm, and somehow we all sign up to do it again next year

    51 min
  4. Spring/Summer Youth Hockey: "It’s Just for Fun, We Promise” Tournaments, Camps & Squeezing in Other Sports

    FEB 13

    Spring/Summer Youth Hockey: "It’s Just for Fun, We Promise” Tournaments, Camps & Squeezing in Other Sports

    This week on Pucked Up Parents, Michael and Angela dive into the myth known as the “off-season.” Spoiler alert: there isn’t one. They break down the world of spring and summer hockey — from skill camps and power skating clinics to tournament teams that are “super laid back” but somehow still require a bit of travel. Is it development? Is it fun? Is it just one more ice slot? Yes. They also tackle the great multi-sport debate. Should hockey kids be playing other sports? (Yes.) Will they? Also yes — between ice times. The conversation covers gymnastics for balance, baseball for hand-eye coordination, golf for patience, and even laid-up fishing for mental recovery… because sometimes the best cross-training is sitting quietly on a creek bank. The duo recap a weekend of high-scoring games that had parents updating GameChanger like it’s the stock market. Michael is slightly under the weather but refuses to sit this one out — especially when it comes to his passionate rant against cowbells at youth hockey games. It’s a lighter, funnier look at spring and summer hockey — where the vibes are chill, the goals are plentiful, and the calendar is somehow still full.

    36 min
  5. Meeting The Parents. Meeting The Kids: Stick Together… You’re All In This Now (Youth Hockey)

    FEB 6

    Meeting The Parents. Meeting The Kids: Stick Together… You’re All In This Now (Youth Hockey)

    This week, Michael and Angela dive headfirst into the slippery ice of making new hockey friends—because nothing screams bonding like awkward hotel lobbies and forced smiles at team dinners. They tackle how to pass the endless downtime between games, whether it’s surviving board games , watching other sports on a TV in a hotel lobby or quietly judging other parents. Along the way, they explore how youth hockey magically creates lifelong friendships—for kids and parents alike—and dissect the fascinating species of hockey parents: helicopter parents, the sports dad, mama bears, coaches, penalty box monitors , and the overcomplicated scoreboard operators. All this while recapping a weekend of pond hockey, a road trip to a miraculous rink with actual working heaters, and reconnecting with old teammates. Bring your skates, your sarcasm, and a flask—you’re going to need it!

    51 min
  6. What Level Are We On? : The Many Age Groups & Divisions of Youth Hockey

    JAN 30

    What Level Are We On? : The Many Age Groups & Divisions of Youth Hockey

    In this episode, Michael and Angela try to decode the wild, confusing, heavy maze that is youth hockey levels. From Mites to Squirts, PeeWees to Bantams, and all the way up to U16s and U18s, they break down what each level actually means—plus all the mysterious sublevels that somehow make it even more complicated. Because apparently “just hockey” isn’t a thing. They also dive into the skill tiers—from house league chaos to AAA intensity—and explain what really changes between levels (hint: it’s not just skill… it’s stress, cost, and how far you get to travel on a weekend). And because karma is undefeated, they share a story from this past weekend where they completely ignored their own advice from Episode 8 about forgotten equipment—leading to a full-blown family meltdown and the ultimate sin: a forgotten jersey. Yes, the podcast hosts became the cautionary tale. It’s chaos. It’s parenting. It’s youth hockey. And it’s another perfectly on-brand episode of Pucked Up Parents 🏒😂

    39 min
  7. Cold as Puck: Surviving the Frozen Tundra of Youth Hockey Rinks

    JAN 23

    Cold as Puck: Surviving the Frozen Tundra of Youth Hockey Rinks

    Angela and Michael are back—and they’re frozen solid. 🥶 In this episode, the Pucked Up Parents hosts tackle one of youth hockey’s greatest challenges: surviving the Arctic tundra known as the ice rink. From mastering the art of layering to debating heated vests, wool socks, mittens, and why nothing ever keeps your toes warm, they break down what actually works. They also call out the mysterious “rink heaters”—you know, the ones that exist in every building but are somehow never turned on—and share tips for braving outdoor rinks, where the cold doesn’t mess around and preparation is everything. Along the way, Angela introduces the legendary Walgreens Jockstrap of Shame, and Michael has a life-altering moment when he finally learns the difference between a beanie and a toboggan (spoiler: he’s been wrong for years).

    39 min
  8. Sh*t Happens: Forgotten, Broken, Left Behind Gear & Emergency Responses (Youth Hockey)

    JAN 16

    Sh*t Happens: Forgotten, Broken, Left Behind Gear & Emergency Responses (Youth Hockey)

    On this episode of Pucked Up Parents, hosts Angela and Michael tackle one of the most inevitable parts of youth hockey life: forgotten, broken, or mysteriously missing gear. From skates left at home to sticks snapped in warmups, if it can go wrong on a hockey trip—it probably will. Angela shares a emergency goalie glove repair at an away tournament that proves lacrosse string, a needle, borrowed tools, and pure parental determination can save the day when panic is setting in. Together, Angela and Michael break down what to do when mishaps strike, offering practical tips like stay calm, assess the damage, make a plan, ask for help, and remember—YouTube is your best friend. Whether you’re a seasoned hockey parent or new to the chaos, this episode is a reminder that gear disasters happen to everyone, and surviving them is practically a rite of passage. Laugh, learn, and maybe double-check that bag before you leave the house. 🏒😅

    38 min
See All (16)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Pucked Up Parents, hosted by Angela and Michael, is the weekly podcast for every youth hockey parent who’s ever been confused by stick tape rituals, overwhelmed by team chats, or blindsided by yet another “surprise” tournament fee. Each episode, Angela and Michael face off with a mix of lighthearted rants, actually useful tips, and hilariously relatable stories from fellow first-generation hockey parents—plus a few lifelong rink rats who’ve seen it all. We break down Rules and Rituals, survive Rinks and Road Trips, and offer candid Reflections on Hockey Life, all served with sarcasm,

Information

You Might Also Like