Our Kids Play Hockey

The Ride to The Rink: Hockey Tryout Tips - Preparation, Mindset, and Standing Out the Right Way

🚗 Heading to a hockey tryout or evaluation? Take a deep breath — this Ride to the Rink is exactly what you need to hear.Evaluations can bring out a lot of emotions: excitement, nerves, pressure, and sometimes even fear. But the truth is, a great tryout isn’t about doing something flashy or trying to be someone you’re not. It’s about preparation, mindset, and showing coaches the best version of YOU.In this episode of The Ride to the Rink, the guys break down how young hockey players should approach tryouts — from the days leading up to the evaluation, to how you carry yourself on the ice, and even how you handle the results afterward.The biggest lesson? Control what you can control: your effort, your attitude, your preparation, and your response to adversity. Coaches notice those things more than any fancy move.And remember — one evaluation will never define your hockey journey.🏒 In This Episode, We Talk About:How to prepare 24–48 hours before a tryoutThe simple preparation mistakes that can hurt players at evaluationsThe difference between motivation and anxietyWhy trying to “stand out” the wrong way can backfireThe importance of playing your own gameWhy versatility (not just one position) can impress coachesWhat coaches really notice when players make mistakesThe powerful story of a player who earned a roster spot through pure effortHow to respond if you don’t make the team you hoped forWhy your reaction to results says more about you than the tryout itselfOne of the biggest takeaways from this episode: A player who works hard, stays positive, and keeps growing will always stand out over time. Tryouts are just one moment — your attitude and effort over the long run are what truly define you.So whether you're heading into a big evaluation today or just thinking about the next season ahead, remember why you started playing in the first place.📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: The Right Mindset for Hockey Tryouts and EvaluationsHave fun. Skate hard. And believe in yourself.#TheRideToTheRink #YouthHockey #HockeyTryouts #HockeyMindset #YouthSports #HockeyDevelopment #HockeyPaClick To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽Trusted by our kids! Trust it with yours! Trusted at the NHL level through youth hockey, Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace. And their March offer is huge:50% off an annual plan compared to paying monthly, plus a free hockey training ball, free Green Biscuit, and free shipping.Or go all in with 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 Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

The Tryout Survival Guide for Hockey Parents and Players

🏒 Hockey tryout season is here… and for many families, that means nerves, pressure, and a lot of unanswered questions.What are coaches actually looking for? How are teams really selected? And what should parents and players focus on when the stakes feel high?In this annual Our Kids Play Hockey Tryout Episode, hosts Lee Elias, Christie Casciano-Burns, and Mike Bonelli break down the reality of youth hockey evaluations — from both the parent perspective and the coach’s perspective.This episode takes you behind the scenes of team selection, giving families practical advice on how to navigate tryout season with the right mindset.Spoiler alert: It’s not just about goals and assists.The hosts dive into what coaches truly value at the youth level — including attitude, work ethic, teamwork, and development potential — and why the team your child makes should be based on where they’ll grow the most, not just the letters on the jersey.They also tackle some of the biggest misconceptions around youth hockey tryouts, including why most coaches already have a good sense of players long before evaluations begin.Most importantly, this conversation reminds parents and players that tryouts are just one moment in a long hockey journey.🏒 In This Episode, We Cover:Why tryouts shouldn’t define your player’s hockey futureThe biggest mistakes parents make during evaluation seasonWhat coaches are actually evaluating at the 10U levelWhy development matters more than team labelsHow coaches think about building a balanced rosterThe importance of environment, attitude, and team cultureWhat players should focus on to stand out for the right reasonsHow parents can support their kids without adding pressure💡 The Message for PlayersBe the hardest worker on the ice.That’s advice shared by Olympian Hayley Scamurra and echoed throughout this episode. Effort, attitude, and love for the game are the things coaches notice most.💬 The Message for ParentsBefore your child walks into tryouts, remember the three things they really need to hear:❤️ I love you no matter what happens out there. 🏒 I love watching you play. 💪 Work hard, have fun, aClick To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽Trusted by our kids! Trust it with yours! Trusted at the NHL level through youth hockey, Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace. And their March offer is huge:50% off an annual plan compared to paying monthly, plus a free hockey training ball, free Green Biscuit, and free shipping.Or go all in with 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 Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

Our Girls Play Hockey: Pro Hockey Secrets for Young Players | Mailbag with Hayley Scamurra (Part 2)

🏒 You asked… and the mailbag is back!In this special Our Girls Play Hockey Mailbag Episode, hosts Lee and Mike sit down with professional hockey player Hayley Scamurra to answer rapid-fire questions straight from young players, parents, and coaches around the hockey world.From game-day meals and pregame routines to scoring goals, getting faster, and handling the fear of missing out during the offseason, Hayley shares real insight into what life looks like as a pro — and what young athletes can learn from it.Along the way, the crew dives into topics like why most goals come from the “dirty areas” in front of the net, why taking breaks from hockey is essential for development, and how the little details — like creating time and space for teammates — make players truly valuable.Whether you're a young player dreaming of the pros, a parent navigating development decisions, or a coach looking for insight from the highest levels of the game, this episode delivers practical advice straight from the source.🏒 Highlights from This Episode🍳 What Hayley Scamurra actually eats on game day🧠 How pro players mentally prepare before hitting the ice🏃 Why speed is the most important skill in hockey🎯 Where most goals really come from (hint: it’s not highlight-reel shots)👊 The underrated skill of creating time and space for teammates⚽ Why playing multiple sports helps long-term development🛑 Why even pro players believe kids need breaks from hockey🚌 What life is like traveling internationally as a professional hockey player🎉 Why team bonding and road trips matter more than you think💬 Have a question for the next mailbag? Email the team at team@ourkidsplayhockey.com or use the link in the show description to send your question.📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: The Mailbag Episode Every Young Hockey Player Should Hear: Hayley Scamurra Answers Youth Hockey Questions#OurGirlsPlayHockey #GirlsHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyDevelopment #WomenInSports #HayleyScamurra #HockeyParents #HockeyTraining #GirlsInSportsClick To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽Trusted by our kids! Trust it with yours! Trusted at the NHL level through youth hockey, Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace. And their March offer is huge:50% off an annual plan compared to paying monthly, plus a free hockey training ball, free Green Biscuit, and free shipping.Or go all in with 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 Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

The Ride to The Rink: How to Stand Out Before Pre-Skates, ID Skates, & Tryouts

🚨 Think tryouts start on evaluation day? Think again.If you’re heading to a pre-skate or ID skate, this episode is your mindset reset before you walk through those rink doors.Lee and Mike break down what these “tryout before the tryout” skates really are — and more importantly, how YOU should approach them. Because here’s the truth: it’s not just about what you do on the ice… it’s who you are from the parking lot to the final whistle.In this episode, we talk about:🏒 What coaches are really noticing at ID skates 🎒 Why carrying your own bag matters more than you think 🤝 The power of first impressions (and why you don’t get a second one) 🧠 How to handle nerves without adding pressure ⭐ Why one skate won’t define your hockey career 💬 The importance of knowing your strengths — and owning themMost importantly?Being a great hockey player starts with being a great person. Character shines through — on good days and bad ones. And no single skate will determine your future… but your habits will.So if you're on the ride to the rink right now, take a breath.Work hard. Be yourself. Have fun.We believe in you. You should too. 💙📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime?Check out our companion blog: The Pre-Skate Mindset: How to Stand Out Before Tryouts Even Begin#TheRideToTheRink #HockeyMindset #YouthHockey #HockeyTryouts #IDSkate #PreSkate #HockeyCharacter #HockeyDevelopment #HockeyParents #HockeyLifeClick To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽Trusted by our kids! Trust it with yours! Trusted at the NHL level through youth hockey, Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace. And their March offer is huge:50% off an annual plan compared to paying monthly, plus a free hockey training ball, free Green Biscuit, and free shipping.Or go all in with 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 Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

Pre-Skates & ID Skates Explained: What Parents NEED to Know Before Tryouts

🔥 ID skates. Pre-skates. Early evaluations. Winter “select” teams. If you’re a hockey parent right now, your inbox is probably full — and your anxiety might be too.So what are ID skates really? Are they opportunities… or just early tryouts in disguise?In this episode of Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee and Mike break down the real story behind pre-skates and ID skates — what they mean, when they make sense, and when parents need to take a deep breath and relax.Because here’s the truth:Most teams already have 85–90% of their roster projected. Most ID skates are not magic auditions. And the pressure we’re putting on kids? It’s often way too much.💡 Inside this episode:What ID skates are actually being used forWhen attending one makes sense (and when it doesn’t)The difference between a coach and a salesmanWhy shopping around has consequencesTier 1 vs Tier 2: how to evaluate a moveWhy being on a “B” team is NOT a failureHow to talk to your child before an evaluationAnd why calm parents raise confident players⚠️ Buyer beware: If you’re being “yes’d to death,” promised captaincy, or guaranteed a top line… that’s not development — that’s sales.Most importantly, this episode is about perspective.Youth hockey is a journey.ID skates are a moment.Don’t let a moment define the journey.Have thoughts on this one? We want to hear them. Email us at team@ourkidsplayhockey.com and tell us what’s happening in your rink.📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: The Truth About Hockey ID Skates: A Parent’s Guide to Pre-Skates & TryoutsEnjoy evaluation season — and remember to breathe. 🏒#OurKidsPlayHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyParents #HockeyTryouts #IDSkates #HockeyDevelopment #Tier1Hockey #Tier2Hockey #HockeyCulture #ParentingInSportsClick To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽Trusted by our kids! Trust it with yours! Trusted at the NHL level through youth hockey, Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace. And their March offer is huge:50% off an annual plan compared to paying monthly, plus a free hockey training ball, free Green Biscuit, and free shipping.Or go all in with 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 Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube