Our Kids Play Hockey

Private lessons can be a great way to grow your game—but only if you approach them the right way.

In this Ride to the Rink, Lee shares advice directly with young players on how to make private coaching sessions truly valuable. From asking the right questions to tracking your progress off the ice, this episode is all about helping players take ownership of their development and turn every lesson into lasting improvement.

🏒 Key Takeaw...

On this episode of The Ride To The Rink, Lee shares a simple story that left a big impression—and reminds every young player (and parent) why the way you act off the ice matters just as much as the way you play on it. After a young player was complimented by a stranger for his manners and kindness, Lee and Mike break down what it means to represent your team and your sport in everyday life, and why those little things—like saying “...

Heads up, hockey families! We recently found out that our email—team@ourkidsplayhockey.com—was down for a while, and we may have missed your messages. The good news? It’s back up and running!

If you’ve sent in questions, feedback, show ideas, or just wanted to say hi, please re-send them—we’d love to hear from you. Thanks for your patience and for being such an awesome part of our community.

Keep the messages coming—we’re a...

Are private hockey lessons worth the investment for your young player? 🏒💰

In this eye-opening episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, hosts Lee, Christie, and Mike tackle the hot topic of private hockey lessons for youth players. From finding the right coach to balancing extra training with team practices, our expert panel dives into the world of personalized hockey instruction, offering invaluable insights for parents navigating this cr...

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 ...

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 pow...

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 ...

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 mom...

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 ope...

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.

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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 invo...

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 unconventi...

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 versa...

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 per...

How do young players find their identity, toughness, and purpose—on and off the ice? This week on Our Kids Play Hockey, we’re joined by former NHL forward and current junior hockey coach Zac Rinaldo, whose career was defined by grit, heart, and relentless work ethic.

Zac shares his journey from leaving home at 14 to attend Notre Dame in Saskatchewan, to becoming a fan favorite in Philadelphia and playing 11 years in the NHL. Now coa...

The birds are chirping, the season’s winding down—and that means it’s the perfect time to start thinking about how to build a better hockey player this off-season.

In this episode of Ride to the Rink, Lee and Mike dive into how players (and parents) can start planning a development calendar that fits real life and drives real growth. From simple 20-minute habits like daily push-ups or shooting pucks, to blocking out time in a shared...

From the outdoor rinks of Sudbury to the heights of Olympic glory, Tessa Bonhomme has lived nearly every chapter of a hockey dream—and she’s still writing new ones. 

In this powerful episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, Tessa joins Lee, Sherri, and Mike for a heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply insightful conversation about the journey from “just wanting to play” to becoming one of the most recognizable voices in hockey.

Tessa opens up abo...

This week on Our Kids Play Hockey, Christie takes over the host seat to ask the big question: what does it really take to be a great coach in youth hockey?

With Mike and Lee in the hot seat, we dive deep into the reality of coaching—far beyond X’s and O’s. From balancing passion and pressure to dealing with criticism, managing parents, and constantly learning, they break down the challenges and rewards that come with the title of “C...

“Why You Should Never Let Anyone Tell You ‘You Won’t Make It’”

On this ride, Lee, Christie, and Mike get real about one of the most common — and harmful — things kids in hockey (and beyond) hear: “You’ll never make it.” Whether it’s a coach, a parent, or even your own doubts, this episode is a rallying cry for young athletes to chase their dreams and embrace the journey — with eyes wide open and skates on the ice.

We talk about why d...