Our Kids Play Hockey
Our Kids Play Hockey is a podcast that focuses on youth hockey, offering insights, stories, and interviews from the hockey community. It provides valuable advice for parents, coaches, and players, covering various aspects of the game, including skill development, sportsmanship, teamwork, and creating a positive experience for young athletes. The show frequently features guests who share their expertise and personal experiences in youth hockey, both on and off the ice.
The show features three hockey parents, who all work in the game at high levels:
- Christie Casciano-Burns - USA Hockey Columnist, Author, and WSYR Anchor
- Mike Bonelli - USA Hockey Coach and Organizational Consultant
- Lee M.J. Elias - Hockey Entrepreneur, Author, and Team Strategist
In addition to the main podcast, there are several spin-off series that dive into specific aspects of youth hockey:
1.Our Girls Play Hockey – This series highlights the growing presence of girls in hockey, addressing the unique challenges they face while celebrating their accomplishments and contributions to the sport. Each episode of Our Girls Play Hockey is also hosted by Sheri Hudspeth who is the Director, Youth Hockey Programs and Fan Development for the Vegas Golden Knights.
2.The Ride to The Rink – A shorter, motivational series designed to be listened to on the way to the rink, offering quick, inspirational tips and advice to help players and parents get into the right mindset before a game or practice.
3.Our Kids Play Goalie – This series is dedicated to young goalies and the unique challenges they face. It provides advice for players, parents, and coaches on how to support and develop young goaltenders, focusing on the mental and physical demands of the position.
Together, these shows provide a comprehensive platform for parents, players, and coaches involved in youth hockey, offering insights for all aspects of the sport, from parenting, playing, or coaching to specialized positions like goaltending.
Our Kids Play Hockey
The Ride to The Rink: You Don’t Need Permission to Dream Big
“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.
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Lee MJ Elias [0:07 - 2:22]: Hello, hockey skaters and goalies around the world. Welcome back to another edition of the Ride to the Rink, your favorite place in the world. It's Chris DiCashiano, Burns, Mike Benelli and Le Elias with you today. And today we're talking about something I know you've all heard. A coach, a parent, somebody, a friend saying, hey, you're never gonna make the NHL. None of you are gonna make the NHL. Kids, listen to me, and there's two sides to this. But listen to me. I hate it when people tell you that. I will never tell you if the NHL is your dream, not to chase your dream. And I'll tell you why, and I'll tell you the value of that. I also have to say to you, I don't like it when people say, you're good enough. You're gonna make the NHL. That doesn't work for me either, because there's no guarantees on that either. So the point of this episode that we're talking to you is this. Whatever your dream is, pro hockey, pro anything, you have a right to your dream. Now, here's the deal, and this is a deal. You have a right to chase your dream. There are no guarantees on anything. But I promise you that if you chase a dream down, accomplish it or not, no matter how hard it is, you will learn more about yourself, about life, about work, about success by chasing that dream and failing than if you don't chase it at all. Don't let anyone tell you what you can and cannot pursue, because if you want it enough, you will pursue it. And that goes with, you have the money, the ability, all of the roadblocks that are in the way. If you want something enough, you have the right to pursue that thing. But don't let anyone tell you there's no point in trying. I think that's the worst thing you can hear now. I'm not saying real quick, I'll go to Mike here. Christie, in a second. I'm not saying you need to go up to that person, say, that's not true. I am going to make it. That's not what I'm saying. I'm just saying take note that when someone says to you you're never going to make it, you just kind of nod and say, that person doesn't speak for me. I believe in myself and I'm going to try. It's worth trying, because whether you again, make it or not, the failing along the way is the greatest teacher. Mike. Christy, I'll throw it to you.
Christie Casciano [2:23 - 3:24]: Yeah, it's great. To have a dream. But you also have to realize dreams don't magically happen. You also have to work really hard to make that happen. And as you're working really hard toward this dream, sometimes you discover another dream going another direction. And that's okay, too, because nothing's lost. You have everything to gain. Don't get disappointed if you don't make your initial dream because you found something that you want to try that makes you even happier. So. But know what it takes. Know the kind of work that it's going to take, and know that it is going to be up to, to you to make that happen. Don't blame everybody else. Well, I didn't do it because so and so or this person pointing the finger blame, it's not going to get you anywhere. So be responsible, work really hard, and chase that dream. It can happen if you really want it.
Mike Bonelli [3:25 - 4:48]: Yeah, I think Christy and Lee make great points that if you're listening to this, you know, you also have to take into account when somebody tells you you're not going to make it if you have to. And you really value that person's opinion, whether that's mom or dad, whether that's a coach, whether it's a skills instructor, whether that's somebody like a scout, like, really take heed of what that means and understand that like Christie said, things just don't happen. You just don't wish you're going to be a great player and you become a great player. Wishing is great and having the goals is great, but you got to put the work in. Depending on what that is, whatever your passion is going to be, you have to find a way to do it. So don't, certainly don't be discouraged if somebody says you'll never make it. But then ask, well, why don't you think I'll make it? What is it about what I'm doing that you think I won't make it? And then, you know, there might be some valid points in there. There might be somebody that says, well, you don't eat right and you don't, you don't do the extra work, or mom and dad are always the ones making you go to hockey and you don't really want it that bad. So all of those things take, take that as a, as a, you know, a challenge, I guess, and think about, well, why don't you think I'm gonna make it? And I'm going to tell you, well, I disagree with all those points. And you could reflect and say, well, I, you know what? Maybe if that's the perception somebody has in me, depending on what age you are. But if you're of the age right now where you're 12, 13, 14, 15 years old, and somebody says, you know what? You're not going to make it, why aren't I going to make it?
Lee MJ Elias [4:48 - 4:48]: Right?
Mike Bonelli [4:48 - 4:51]: And guess what? I'm going to make it because I'm going to fix those things.
Lee MJ Elias [4:51 - 5:02]: Yeah, good point. What I love about that point, too, is you're talking about the response, right? When someone says, hey, you're never gonna make it, your mind should go, why can't I?
Mike Bonelli [5:02 - 5:02]: What?
Lee MJ Elias [5:02 - 6:44]: Or what's holding me back from doing that? Someone has to try. Those are good thoughts to have. And keeping in mind what Christy said, too, that you have to put in the work and that there's no guarantees. Kids, you got to see this for what it is. And, Mike, I love that you brought up, too, that if you're truly passionate about making it, you'll look for knowledge and you'll look for tips. In every version of the conversation, whether it's the most supportive coach or family member you've ever had or the person who really says, you're not good enough, they're going to tell you the things that you need to do if they know what they're talking about that you need to work on. And there's value in that as well. But I'm going to say it again as we started this. Do not let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do, because if you want something enough, you have the right to pursue it. And again, if it's a true dream, it'll last very long. I. My, my. Christy and I still are following our passions at this point of our lives. Okay? And I want to. I want to reiterate what Christy said. It's okay if that dream changes over time, because the. The dream is not also your identity. Okay? It might become part of your identity as you follow it and you try and pursue it. But remember, you have the right to dream, period. Don't let anyone tell you that you don't have the right to do that. Okay? We say it at the end of every episode. I'm going to say it here again. We believe in you. You should, too. There's a reason we say those words. It's not enough for us just to tell you that we believe in you. You have to believe in you. Don't let anyone take that away from. For Chris DiCashio, Mike Benelli, I'm Lee Elias. This has been a great episode of the ride to the rink. Kids, enjoy your hockey. Wherever you're at today on that journey. See you next time.
Mike Bonelli [6:44 - 6:44]: Sk.
