Pavel Barber on Creativity vs. Application: Are We Teaching Hockey Skills Wrong? (Part 1) 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.

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Our Kids Play Hockey

Pavel Barber on Creativity vs. Application: Are We Teaching Hockey Skills Wrong? (Part 1)

January 29, 2026 • Season 1 • Episode 475

🏒 Is creativity in hockey being misunderstood… or mis-taught?

If your player loves skill moves, toe drags, and trick shots — but struggles to know when to use them — this episode is a must-listen.

This week on Our Kids Play Hockey, Lee Elias, Christie Casciano-Burns, and Mike Bonelli are joined by global skills coach and viral hockey creator Pavel Barber for a powerful, thoughtful conversation about skill development, creativity, and application in today’s game.

Pavel pulls back the curtain on what truly matters in player development — and it might surprise you coming from one of the most skilled puck handlers on the planet.

🧠 In this episode, we dive into:

🔄 Creativity vs. application — why skill only matters if it solves a problem
🏎️ Why skating is still the foundation (yes, even according to Pavel Barber)
🎯 How to teach kids when to use moves like toe drags and Michigan attempts
🧩 Helping players build their own identity, not just copy what they see online
❌ Why labeling moves as “flashy” can actually stunt development
🔁 How failure, when done right, accelerates growth and confidence

This conversation is packed with practical insights for parents, coaches, and players navigating modern youth hockey — especially in an era where highlights are everywhere, but understanding often isn’t.

⚠️ Important note: This is Part 1 of a 2-part series. In Part 2, we’ll go deeper into Pavel’s journey as an international athlete, his discipline behind the scenes, and the mindset that separates good players from great ones.

🎧 Listen now — and then bring this conversation to your next ride to the rink.

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Creativity, Skill, and the Truth About Development: What Pavel Barber Wants Hockey Families to Understand

👉 If you found value in this episode, please rate, review, and share it with another hockey family.
📘 Don’t forget to check out our children’s book When Hockey Stops at WhenHockeyStops.com.

#OurKidsPlayHockey #PavelBarber #HockeyDevelopment #YouthHockey #HockeySkills #CreativeHockey #HockeyParents #PlayerDevelopment

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