The Ride to the Rink: Pavel Barber on Skill, Failure, and Loving the Process 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: Pavel Barber on Skill, Failure, and Loving the Process

January 31, 2026 • Season 1 • Episode 476

🚗💨 Kids, buckle up — this one’s special.

On this episode of The Ride to the Rink, we’re joined by one of the most creative and recognizable puck handlers in the world — Pavel Barber.

If you’ve ever dreamed of dangling like the pros, pulling off trick shots, or making defenders look silly… Pavel is here to tell you what actually matters most when it comes to getting better at hockey.

And spoiler alert: it’s not the tricks.

🏒 In this episode, Pavel shares:

Why skating and edge work matter more than hands or shooting
How puck control really works (hint: it’s about options and awareness)
Why failure isn’t something to avoid — it’s something to chase
How to manage your ego when trying new skills feels uncomfortable
When creative moves do make sense — and when they don’t
A powerful message for kids with big hockey dreams 💙

This is a masterclass in patience, confidence, and trusting the process, delivered in a way every young player can understand.

👊 Kids — listen closely. If Pavel Barber is telling you skating comes first… that’s something worth remembering.

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: What Pavel Barber Wants Young Hockey Players to Understand About Getting Better

🎧 Take this conversation with you to the rink, the driveway, or the basement — and let it shape how you practice, how you think, and how you grow as a hockey player.

👉 Have fun. Work hard. We believe in you.

#TheRideToTheRink #PavelBarber #YouthHockey #HockeySkills #HockeyDevelopment #EdgeWork #HockeyMindset #FailToSucceed #OurKidsPlayHockey

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Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽

Heading into 2026, hockey families are asking: How do we get better? More ice time isn’t always realistic — but smarter training is. Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace.

🎯 Visit SenseArena.com/OKPH and use code OKPH to get 50% off plus $25 off an annual plan or headset bundle.

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