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
What Skills Should My Kid Have at Their Age? A Parent’s Guide to Youth Hockey Development
“Is my kid where they’re supposed to be?”
It’s one of the most common questions we hear—and this week on Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee, Christie, and Mike break it all down with a level-headed, age-by-age guide to youth hockey development.
Whether your player is just learning to stand on skates or preparing for juniors, this episode helps you understand what skills are appropriate right now, what’s coming next, and how to support your child’s journey without rushing the process.
🏒 In this episode, we explore:
✅ Benchmarks for each age group—from U6 to U18
✅ How hockey IQ and habits grow alongside physical skills
✅ What to really look for in your child’s development
✅ The role of parents in keeping the game fun and productive
If you’ve ever wondered, “Are we behind?” or “What should we focus on next?”—this episode is for you.
Because in youth hockey, the goal isn’t just skating faster or scoring more. It’s building skills, confidence, and love for the game—step by step.
Timestamps:
- 0:00 Intro
- 5:35 6U hockey: Organized chaos and fun
- 11:50 8U hockey: Skating with purpose
- 18:09 10U hockey: Golden age of learning
- 31:38 12U hockey: Hockey IQ starts here
- 36:37 14U hockey: Strength meets strategy
- 47:43 16U/18U hockey: It's a lifestyle
- 1:01:32 Closing thoughts on youth hockey development
📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime?
Check out our companion blog: A Parent’s Guide to Youth Hockey Development
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