The Ride To The Rink - The Gross Truth: How Bad Hygiene Hurts Your Hockey Performance Artwork

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.

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.

All Episodes

Our Kids Play Hockey

The Ride To The Rink - The Gross Truth: How Bad Hygiene Hurts Your Hockey Performance

December 04, 2025 • Our Kids Play Hockey • Season 1 • Episode 452

🧼 Hockey kids… we love you. But some of you stink.
And today, we’re tackling a topic every parent is cheering for and every young player needs to hear: HYGIENE. Don’t panic. Don’t turn us off. This one’s going to help you stay healthy, stay in the lineup, and yes… stop clearing the bench with your gear odor.

In this Ride to the Rink, Lee and Mike break down why taking care of your body isn’t just a “parent rule” — it’s a hockey advantage. From brushing your teeth to washing your gear to actually showering after games (yes, kids… we said shower), these small daily habits make a big difference.

🚿 In This Episode, We Cover:

Why poor hygiene keeps kids out of the lineup
The real reason your gear smells like it’s plotting an escape
Toothaches, sickness, and the pain you don’t want as a hockey player
What older and pro players do to stay clean and healthy
How showing up well-kept translates to confidence and life skills
The simple five habits every young player should master

🙌 Parents — this is the episode you've been waiting for.
Kids — we believe in you. And trust us… your teammates will thank you.

➡️ Take a minute to listen together on your way to the rink, and start building the habits that make better hockey players — and healthier humans.

Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!

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