💬 “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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🎙️ Tournament season is here — are your kids really getting the most out of it?

This week on The Ride To The Rink, Lee, Christie, and Mike unpack one of youth hockey’s biggest opportunities (and challenges): tournament weekends. From nerves and hotel boredom to team bonding and leadership, this episode is your playbook for making every trip unforgettable — for players and parents alike.

💡 In This Episode:

• 🏒 Christie shares how to turn nerves into excitement and creativity on the ice.
• 📱 Mike explains why screens might be stealing your best memories.
• 👥 Lee challenges players to step up as leaders — and pull their teammates out of those hotel rooms!
• 🍳 Plus: The secret to building lifelong friendships at tournaments (hint: it’s not about winning).

Whether it’s your first big road trip or your tenth, this conversation reminds every player: tournaments aren’t just about hockey — they’re about memories.

📩 Listen now, and help your young player make this season’s tournaments the best ones yet.

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Beyond the Ice — Making the Most of Hockey Tournaments

#YouthHockey #HockeyParents #HockeyTournament #TeamBonding #OurKidsPlayHockey #HockeyLife #RideToTheRink #YouthSports #Leadership #HockeyFamily

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Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena!

🚨 Big news—Dangle Pro is here, the world’s first mixed-reality stickhandling trainer. Using Meta Quest, players dangle through live 3D obstacles, earn points, and build faster hands with their head up. Officially licensed by the NHL and trusted by USA Hockey, it’s the future of training.

Sign up at SenseArena.com/OKPH with code OKPH for $25 off an annual subscription. 🏒

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🏒 What does it really mean to be tough in hockey?

In this episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, PWHL Ottawa star Gabbie Hughes joins Hayley and Lee to open up about her journey from Minnesota pond hockey to professional play—and her fight to bring mental health into the conversation through Sophie’s Squad.

Awarded the 2023 Hockey Humanitarian Award, Gabbie proves that leadership goes far beyond the ice. She shares the real story behind Sophie’s Squad, the pressures young athletes face, and how vulnerability can be the strongest skill in your game.

🔥 Highlights Include:

• How Gabbie turned early doubts into a Division I and pro hockey career 🌟

• The powerful story of Sophie’s Squad and its mission to support young athletes 💜

• Rethinking “toughness” in hockey—why emotions are strength, not weakness 🧠

• Practical mental health strategies for players, coaches, and parents 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

• Life beyond the rink: finding identity outside of being “just a hockey player” 🤔

This is more than another episode—it’s a blueprint for creating healthier teams, stronger athletes, and a more supportive hockey community.

🎧 Listen now and join the movement to end the stigma around mental health in sports.

📚 Learn more about Sophie’s Squad at sophiessquad.org

📖 Want a written version of this episode you can reference anytime?
Check out our companion blog: Beyond the Ice: Gabby Hughes on Hockey, Mental Health, and the Power of Sophie’s Squad

#HockeyMentalHealth #SophiesSquad #AthleteWellness #OurGirlsPlayHockey #PWHLOttawa

Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!

Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena!

🚨 Big news—Dangle Pro is here, the world’s first mixed-reality stickhandling trainer. Using Meta Quest, players dangle through live 3D obstacles, earn points, and build faster hands with their head up. Officially licensed by the NHL and trusted by USA Hockey, it’s the future of training.

Sign up at SenseArena.com/OKPH with code OKPH for $25 off an annual subscription. 🏒

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Welcome back to The Wraparound Roundtable – our annual celebration of the hockey community through giveaways, gratitude, and a glimpse behind the scenes of the creators who shape your kids’ hockey universe.

🎉 This year, we’re kicking things up a notch. Instead of focusing on small-to-medium hockey businesses, we’re spotlighting the most influential hockey creators on the planet—the ones your kids already follow on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and beyond. From game-changing tutorials to viral highlights, these voices are shaping the culture of hockey today.

In this intro episode, host Lee Elias is joined by longtime friend and legendary creator Chris Kibui of Hockey Tutorial, one of the sport’s most-followed online platforms. Together, they set the stage for a series that combines practical creator insights, authentic inspiration, and of course, incredible prizes.

🎧 NEW THIS YEAR:

Each week features two separate episodes, giving you two chances to win a weekly prize. That’s 10 total episodes, 10 total weekly prizes, and 10 total chances to rack up entries for the season’s grand prize!

🎁 Weekly Giveaways:

• Green Biscuit + Puck Around Pack
• Creator-contributed bonus prizes

🏆 Grand Prize Includes:

• A brand new Sparx Skate Sharpener
• Full team set of skate deodorizers
• Gear from Green Biscuit, Hockey Wraparound, and much more!

🚨 How to Enter:

Starting next week, head to hockeywraparound.com → Click the Wraparound Roundtable button → Enter each episode for more chances to win the grand prize!

💡 What You’ll Learn This Season:

• What it really takes to become a hockey content creator
• The passion and purpose behind today’s top influencers
• Why this new career path resonates with the next generation of players

🎤 With guests like Chris, and many more well-known names your kids already admire, this season blends fun, education, and family-friendly hockey content that brings value to players, parents, and future creators alike.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and stay tuned—The Wraparound Roundtable starts next week!

Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!

Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena!

🚨 Big news—Dangle Pro is here, the world’s first mixed-reality stickhandling trainer. Using Meta Quest, players dangle through live 3D obstacles, earn points, and build faster hands with their head up. Officially licensed by the NHL and trusted by USA Hockey, it’s the future of training.

Sign up at SenseArena.com/OKPH with code OKPH for $25 off an annual subscription. 🏒

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🏒 Can a teammate be your greatest mentor in hockey?

In this game-changing episode of Girls Play Hockey, Olympian Hayley Scamurra and Coach Nick Stoop join host Lee MJ Elias to explore the powerful impact of mentorship in youth and girls' hockey. From locker room dynamics to on-ice performance, they share invaluable insights on creating supportive environments that nurture both athletic excellence and personal growth.

🔥 Highlights Include:

• Redefining mentorship: It's not just about age, but impact 🤝
• Balancing the pressure to perform with the joy of playing 🏆
• How coaches can foster a culture of peer-to-peer mentorship 👥
• Navigating the challenges of being the only girl on a boys' team 💪
• The unexpected long-term benefits of building connections in sports 🌟

Whether you're a player looking to level up, a coach aiming to inspire, or a parent supporting your young athlete, this episode is packed with actionable advice and heartfelt stories that extend far beyond the rink.

🎧 Listen now and discover how mentorship can transform your hockey journey!

📱 Explore the Pro Athlete Experience platform for more mentorship opportunities.

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: The Ripple Effect of Hockey Mentorship with Coach Nick Stoop

#GirlsHockey #Mentorship #YouthSports #PWHL #TeamBuilding #HockeyFamily

Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!

Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena!

🚨 Big news—Dangle Pro is here, the world’s first mixed-reality stickhandling trainer. Using Meta Quest, players dangle through live 3D obstacles, earn points, and build faster hands with their head up. Officially licensed by the NHL and trusted by USA Hockey, it’s the future of training.

Sign up at SenseArena.com/OKPH with code OKPH for $25 off an annual subscription. 🏒

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

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💸 Ever felt like youth hockey tournaments are taking you for a ride? You’re not alone. This week, Lee Elias, Christie Casciano-Burns, and Mike Bonelli go full “60 Minutes” mode to uncover the real cost of tournaments — from mandatory hotel stays and inflated fees to the emotional tug-of-war parents face when trying to give their kids unforgettable hockey experiences.

🏒 In This Eye-Opening Episode:

• The “stay-to-play” trap that forces families to book overpriced hotels
• Why some tournaments have lost their purpose — and what good ones still get right
• How fundraising and affordability are dividing teams
• When to say “no” to a tournament — and how to push back as a community
• Innovative ideas to rethink tournaments entirely, from skill weekends to balanced, developmental events

💬 Whether you’re a seasoned hockey parent or just entering the travel circuit, this is a must-listen conversation that pulls no punches — but offers plenty of hope (and humor) for a better path forward.

👉 Got thoughts on this? Email us at team@ourkidsplayhockey.com
— we might feature your perspective in a future episode.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts!

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Tournament Turmoil: The Hidden Costs of Youth Hockey and How Families Can Take Back Control

#YouthHockey #HockeyParents #HockeyLife #TournamentTravel #StayToPlay #HockeyCommunity #OurKidsPlayHockey

Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!

Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena!

🚨 Big news—Dangle Pro is here, the world’s first mixed-reality stickhandling trainer. Using Meta Quest, players dangle through live 3D obstacles, earn points, and build faster hands with their head up. Officially licensed by the NHL and trusted by USA Hockey, it’s the future of training.

Sign up at SenseArena.com/OKPH with code OKPH for $25 off an annual subscription. 🏒

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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What separates good players from great ones? It’s not talent — it’s work ethic. In this inspiring episode of The Ride To The Rink, Lee and Mike sit down with Riley Armstrong, NHL Director of Player Development, to talk about what it really takes to level up your game — on and off the ice.

From the long days at the rink to the unseen sacrifices parents make, Riley shares how NHL pros push through pain, fatigue, and setbacks — and how young players can learn to bring that same 100% effort every day.

🎯 Highlights:

• The truth about hard work — and why your parents’ effort deserves yours in return
• How to avoid the “class clown trap” and surround yourself with teammates who lift you up
• What NHL players do when they don’t feel 100% — and why they still show up
• Why loving the game is the #1 ingredient for long-term success
• The power of car rides, family time, and the memories that make the hockey journey special

Whether you’re a player, parent, or coach, this episode will remind you that showing up with heart matters more than any stat on the scoresheet.

👉 Tune in, take notes, and remember — the game gives back to those who love it.

#TheRideToTheRink #OurKidsPlayHockey #RileyArmstrong #NHLDevelopment #YouthHockey #WorkEthic #HockeyParents #HockeyMotivation #HockeyMindset #SkateHard

Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!

Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena!

🚨 Big news—Dangle Pro is here, the world’s first mixed-reality stickhandling trainer. Using Meta Quest, players dangle through live 3D obstacles, earn points, and build faster hands with their head up. Officially licensed by the NHL and trusted by USA Hockey, it’s the future of training.

Sign up at SenseArena.com/OKPH with code OKPH for $25 off an annual subscription. 🏒

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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🏒 Feeling overwhelmed on the ice?

PWHL stars Hayley Scamurra and Gabbie Hughes join "The Ride to the Rink" to share game-changing strategies for managing those big hockey emotions. From breathing techniques to teammate support, this episode is packed with practical advice to help young players stay cool under pressure.

We dive into the mental game, offering insights that'll transform how you approach those tough moments. Whether you're battling negative self-talk or struggling to stay present during intense games, these pro tips will elevate your mental game and boost your on-ice performance.

Key Takeaways:

• Breathe deep and tap a teammate — instant calm in the storm

• Shift focus from personal mistakes to teammates' wins

• Master the art of being an awesome teammate (no talent required!)

• Ground yourself with simple finger-counting and breathing exercises

• Develop emotional awareness for success on and off the ice

Remember, hockey's about more than just scoring goals — it's about growth, teamwork, and finding joy in every shift. So next time you're heading to the rink, ask yourself: "Why do I love this game?" That passion is your secret weapon against any challenge the ice throws your way.

Ready to level up your mental game? 🎧 Tune in now and transform those big feelings into your biggest strengths!

📖 Want a written version of this episode you can reference anytime?
Check out our companion blog: Handling Big Feelings on the Ice: Advice for Young Hockey Players

#TheRideToTheRink #YouthHockey #MentalGame #PWHLStars #HockeyMotivation

Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!

Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena!

🚨 Big news—Dangle Pro is here, the world’s first mixed-reality stickhandling trainer. Using Meta Quest, players dangle through live 3D obstacles, earn points, and build faster hands with their head up. Officially licensed by the NHL and trusted by USA Hockey, it’s the future of training.

Sign up at SenseArena.com/OKPH with code OKPH for $25 off an annual subscription. 🏒

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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