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 unconventional—it was groundbreaking.

We explore:

• Her early days as “the girl goalie” and how inclusion, support, and street hockey shaped her identity.
• Why playing in boys’ leagues taught her resilience—and what we can all learn from being “different” on the team.
• What her parents got right about letting her play—and how small decisions from adults can shape a child’s future.
• Stanford, mechanical engineering, and club hockey on a men’s team—how she kept joy in the game without the pressure of being seen.
• How she made Team Canada almost by accident, thanks to a chance meeting, a bold leap of faith, and one coach who believed in her.
• How it felt to be told she wouldn’t start in the 2002 Olympic gold medal game—and how that moment shaped her understanding of roles, leadership, and humility.
• The myth of the “one goalie system” and how goalies can and should support each other.
• What it really means to be part of a championship team—and how we can teach this to our kids now, at every level of youth hockey.
• Why joy—not ambition—should drive a young athlete’s development.
• Her daughter’s decision to leave hockey and how Sami learned to support a completely different kind of journey.

This episode is a masterclass in humility, perspective, and purpose. Whether you’re raising a goalie, coaching one, or are one, Sami’s story will change the way you see the game—and the people in it.

📚 Also mentioned: The Role I Played by Sami Jo Small – a must-read memoir about elite sports, adversity, and identity.

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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 versatile “toolbox” of skills
• 💬 Communicate effectively with coaches
• 🧠 Develop the mindset to grow through challenges

Whether you’re a first-liner or still figuring it out, this episode is packed with practical insights for becoming a more complete hockey player—and teammate.

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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 personal “Google Maps” analogy for navigating your unique hockey path
• A powerful mindset shift: “Face Everything And Rise”

Whether you’re on a new team or still searching for your next opportunity, this episode is a reminder that adversity is part of every great hockey story—including yours.

🎙️ Press play, get motivated, and get to the rink ready to rise.

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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 coaching the Pelham Panthers, Zac is focused on developing the next generation of athletes—not just as hockey players, but as resilient, team-first individuals.

In this episode, we cover:

• 🛣️ Zac’s unconventional path from OHL longshot to NHL mainstay
• 🏒 The lost art of physicality and why roles matter more than ever
• 📚 What today’s youth development models are missing
• 🧠 The mindset coaches need to connect with players—and how to earn their trust
• 🧰 Why every young player needs a full “toolbox,” not just highlight-reel skills

Zac’s perspective is honest, refreshing, and full of valuable insight for players, parents, and coaches alike. Whether you’re chasing a dream or helping someone else chase theirs, this episode is packed with real talk and practical advice.

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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 Google Calendar, it’s all about building consistency, not cramming in ice time.

You’ll also hear:

✅ Why structured planning beats “winging it” every time

✅ How daily effort—even 15 minutes—adds up in a big way

✅ Tips for integrating hockey into your lifestyle without burning out

✅ Why the off-ice work matters just as much (if not more) than spring tournaments

Whether your player wants to hit the next level or just stay sharp during the off-season, this short ride is packed with advice for setting goals, building habits, and staying balanced.

📌 Because greatness—on the ice or off—starts with what you do every day.

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🚨 The Puckaround™ Pro Training Puck is being called the best off-ice puck ever — same weight, size, and feel as the real thing. Perfect for training in the driveway or on the outdoor rink.

🎁 Use code OKPH at hockeywraparound.com for a special discount on a 2-pack — just for our listeners.

Let’s puck-around and find out. 🏒

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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 about:

• Her path from a neighborhood daycare game to captaining Team Canada
• The moment being cut sparked her fire to chase national team dreams
• The power of representation—and the female role model who changed everything
• Her transition into broadcasting and how it mirrors life in a locker room
• What today’s youth coaches and parents can do to actually grow the women’s game

Plus: stories of pranks, parents with guitars, being a “grocery stick,” and why just turning on the game might be the biggest step forward we can all take.

This episode is a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and love for the game. Whether you’re a parent, player, coach, or fan—don’t miss it.

Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!

🚨 The Puckaround™ Pro Training Puck is being called the best off-ice puck ever — same weight, size, and feel as the real thing. Perfect for training in the driveway or on the outdoor rink.

🎁 Use code OKPH at hockeywraparound.com for a special discount on a 2-pack — just for our listeners.

Let’s puck-around and find out. 🏒

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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 “Coach.”

Whether you’re thinking about coaching for the first time or have years behind the bench, this episode is full of candid stories, practical insights, and hard-earned wisdom about what makes a coach successful—not just in wins, but in shaping better athletes and people.

In this episode, we cover:

• 🏒 The unexpected ways coaches get started—and stay in the game
• 📚 Why the best coaches never stop learning
• 🧠 How emotional intelligence and communication are just as important as strategy
• 💬 What coaching parents need to know before signing up
• 💥 Why “passion” isn’t always enough—and what it really takes to commit
• 📋 The role of certifications and what those coaching levels actually mean

From locker room lessons to life skills, this conversation pulls back the curtain on coaching youth hockey in today’s world—and why it’s one of the most challenging, yet meaningful, roles in the sport.

📬 Got questions or thinking about coaching yourself? Drop us a note at team@ourkidsplayhockey.com or connect with us in the Our Kids Play Hockey Facebook group!

Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!

🚨 The Puckaround™ Pro Training Puck is being called the best off-ice puck ever — same weight, size, and feel as the real thing. Perfect for training in the driveway or on the outdoor rink.

🎁 Use code OKPH at hockeywraparound.com for a special discount on a 2-pack — just for our listeners.

Let’s puck-around and find out. 🏒

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“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 dreaming big matters, how to handle criticism, what it really takes to succeed, and why the path might change — and that’s okay. This episode is all about believing in yourself, putting in the work, and owning your journey, no matter where it leads.

Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!

🚨 The Puckaround™ Pro Training Puck is being called the best off-ice puck ever — same weight, size, and feel as the real thing. Perfect for training in the driveway or on the outdoor rink.

🎁 Use code OKPH at hockeywraparound.com for a special discount on a 2-pack — just for our listeners.

Let’s puck-around and find out. 🏒

Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know!

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