Our Girls Play Hockey: The Guilt of Missing Hockey: What Players and Parents Need to Hear 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

Our Girls Play Hockey: The Guilt of Missing Hockey: What Players and Parents Need to Hear

January 06, 2026 • Our Kids Play Hockey • Season 1 • Episode 463

💭 Do you ever feel guilty for missing hockey?
Missing a practice for school. Saying no to a tournament. Choosing family time, another sport, or just a much-needed break. If that knot in your stomach feels familiar, this episode is for you.

In this powerful conversation, Lee Elias and Hayley Scamurra tackle a topic that players, parents, and even coaches experience — but rarely talk about out loud: the guilt of not always being at hockey.

From youth hockey pressures to elite-level perspective, Lee and Hayley unpack why this guilt exists, where it comes from, and how it can quietly lead to burnout if left unchecked. They also share practical advice for players and parents on how to communicate with coaches, recognize signs of overload, and create healthier expectations around commitment and balance.

✨ In this episode, we cover:

Why missing hockey doesn’t mean you care less
The difference between commitment and burnout
How family, school, and other interests actually help development
What healthy communication with coaches really looks like
Signs your player may need rest — physically and mentally
Why guilt shouldn’t be the driver in youth sports decisions

This episode is a must-listen for families navigating packed schedules, emotional pressure, and the belief that hockey must always come first. Because sometimes, the healthiest choice is stepping away — and that’s okay.

🎧 Listen in, reflect, and let us know what resonated with you.

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Is It Okay to Miss Hockey? Navigating Guilt, Balance, and Burnout in Girls Hockey

📩 Have a topic you want us to tackle? Email us at team@ourkidsplayhockey.com
or click the link in the show notes to submit your question.

#OurGirlsPlayHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyParents #GirlsHockey #SportsParenting #AthleteWellbeing #HockeyLife #AvoidBurnout

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