This one’s for the hockey gearheads and budget-savvy parents! In this episode, Lee introduces Mode Hockey, a brand creating elite-level sticks specifically built for youth players. With correct flex, shaft size, and kid-friendly curves, these true one-piece sticks are ideal for mites to intermediates. And right now, it’s BOGO on all sticks—no code needed!

🪄 Pro-quality sticks without the pro price tag.
🔗 Visit: ModeHockey.com

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Transform your hockey home setup with this incredible Black Friday deal from Ultimate Hockey Fans! From custom ceiling fans to lamps and wall art, these one-of-a-kind heirlooms bring hockey fandom to life. Lee highlights how his own family uses these amazing pieces and shares an exclusive 35% off code (UHF35)—the deepest discount they’ve ever offered!

🏒 Light up your home like a true hockey fan.
🔗 Visit: UltimateHockeyFans.com

🔑 Use Code: UHF35

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Looking for the ideal hockey gift for a young player or new hockey family? In this micro-episode, Lee introduces Twig & Biscuit: Learn to Play Hockey, an award-winning children’s book co-authored with Paul Cohen. Perfect for ages 4–8, this beautifully illustrated book walks new players through getting dressed for the game. Plus, discover bonus merch like puck lamps and equipment checklists—only at TwigBiscuit.com!

🎁 Support small businesses AND the show this season!
🔗 Visit: TwigBiscuit.com

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Get ready to protect your sticks and your wallet this holiday season! In this special episode, Lee Elias shares a limited-time deal from Hockey Wraparound, the industry leader in off-ice stick protection. For four days only, you can get 25% off all Wraparound and Green Biscuit products—no code needed! Learn how this family-owned business is helping players train smarter and save money, and how supporting it helps keep Our Kids Play Hockey going strong.

🔗 Visit: HockeyWrapAround.com

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🍁 This week, we’re giving thanks — for YOU, our listeners, our incredible hockey community, and the five amazing years of Our Kids Play Hockey! Join hosts Lee Elias, Christy Casciano-Burns, and Mike Bonelli for a heartwarming Thanksgiving special that’s all about gratitude, laughter, and celebrating how far this podcast (and our hockey families) have come.

In this special holiday edition, the team shares:
✨ Reflections on five years of growing the OKPH community
✨ Heartfelt gratitude for listeners, guests, and hockey parents everywhere
✨ A behind-the-scenes peek at the amazing crew (shoutout to producer Katelynn, editor Xavier, and Our Girls Play Hockey co-host Haley Scamurra!)
✨ Why the hockey community means so much — and what keeps them inspired week after week

Plus — a fun reminder to check out the Wraparound Roundtable Giveaway happening every Wednesday, and some tips for surviving the youth hockey holiday tournament chaos!

So grab a slice of pie (or your travel coffee mug for the next rink run) and spend this Thanksgiving with your extended hockey family.

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: 🍂 A Season of Thanks — and Hockey!

🦃 Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Our Kids Play Hockey!

#OurKidsPlayHockey #HockeyFamily #YouthHockey #ThanksgivingEpisode #Gratitude #HockeyParents #HockeyPodcast #HockeyLife #OKPH #HockeyCommunity

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NHL Sense Arena annual memberships are 50% off for the holidays, starting at just $29 a month — plus you can save an extra $25 with code OKPH at checkout.

Gift you hockey family the ultimate hockey training experience with NHL Sense Arena ‘26 — available now at hockey.sensearena.com/OKPH

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This week, Our Kids Play Hockey is taking a brief break from the Wraparound Roundtable giveaway series to celebrate the holiday season and encourage our community to support small and medium-sized hockey businesses.

While there’s no weekly giveaway this week, the grand prize is still on its way, and the full series continues soon!

🎁 Holiday Shoutouts:

• HockeyWrapAround.com
  – The original wraparound blade protector.
• TwigBiscuit.com
  – Our brand-new youth book series, perfect for new hockey families and a great holiday gift!

💬 Whether you're shopping Black Friday or Cyber Monday, your support of hockey businesses makes a real impact on our community. Thanks for being part of the Our Kids Play Hockey family—we'll be back with a full episode soon!

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🔥 Is “a hockey-life balance” even real—or is it just about priorities?

This week on Our Girls Play Hockey, Lee Elias, Mike Bonelli, and PWHL star Hayley Scamurra dig into one of the biggest questions families face: how do young athletes juggle hockey, school, family, and downtime without burning out?

From missed school dances and long road trips to the reality of puberty and injuries, Hayley shares her honest experience growing up in hockey—and what she wishes she knew about balance, rest, and resilience along the way.

🎯 In this episode, we cover:

• What “balance” really looks like for elite athletes
• Why priority balance may be more realistic than “life balance”
• The role parents play in guiding (not forcing) motivation
• Warning signs of burnout every parent and coach should watch for
• How routines and habits build long-term success
• Unique challenges girls face during puberty and how coaches can support them

Whether you’re a player, parent, or coach, this is a can’t-miss discussion on what it really takes to grow in hockey—and in life.

👉 Listen now, share with your hockey community, and let us know your thoughts!

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: The Truth About Hockey Life Balance (and Why It Might Not Exist)

#GirlsHockey #YouthHockey #HaileyScamurra #HockeyParenting #HockeyLifeBalance #PWHL

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NHL Sense Arena annual memberships are 50% off for the holidays, starting at just $29 a month — plus you can save an extra $25 with code OKPH at checkout.

Gift you hockey family the ultimate hockey training experience with NHL Sense Arena ‘26 — available now at hockey.sensearena.com/OKPH

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🚗 Every hockey parent has been there. The game ends, emotions run high, and before you know it — the “coaching” starts before the gear’s even off. In one of our most revisited and requested topics, Lee, Mike, and Christie return to a fan-favorite message: the car ride is STILL not for coaching.

In this heartfelt follow-up, the trio breaks down why post-game analysis in the car can damage your relationship with your player — and what to do instead. From anxious parents to over-enthusiastic dads (and yes, near-accidents involving coaching boards 😅), this episode brings humor, honesty, and real-world strategies to one of youth hockey’s trickiest habits.

✨ Highlights include:

• Why parents coach from the car (and how to stop)
• The difference between talking and coaching
• How to make the car a “safe space” for your player
• Tips for coaches on setting car-ride boundaries early
• The three phrases your kid actually needs to hear before every game
• And a story involving Metallica, hockey homework, and hard-earned wisdom

🎧 Whether you’re a coach, parent, or player, this episode is a reminder: your voice matters most when your kid wants to hear it. Let the rink be for hockey — and the ride home for connection.

📩 Have a question or story like today’s listener letter? Send it to team@ourkidsplayhockey.com
— we might feature it on a future episode!

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog:The Car Ride Is Still Not for Coaching — Why Parents Need to Hit the Brakes

#HockeyParenting #YouthHockey #ParentCoachBalance #HockeyFamily #OurKidsPlayHockey

Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!

NHL Sense Arena annual memberships are 50% off for the holidays, starting at just $29 a month — plus you can save an extra $25 with code OKPH at checkout.

Gift you hockey family the ultimate hockey training experience with NHL Sense Arena ‘26 — available now at hockey.sensearena.com/OKPH

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