Our Kids Play Hockey

We're closing the book on 2025 with our annual Year in Review—and the numbers are WILD. From 156 episodes (yep—3 per week) to 4,454 minutes of content (74+ hours) and listeners in 100 countries, this show continues to grow because of one thing: the hockey community sharing it.We also count down the Top 5 episodes of 2025 (plus an honorable mention), talk through the topics parents are clearly searching for most (tryouts, development, myths, and expectations), and pull back the curtain on what happens after we hit “end recording”—including how titles, transcripts, and social clips help families actually find the episodes they need.And if you've ever wondered whether the show is still growing… November + December 2025 were the two biggest months we've ever had. Hockey-stick chart. Straight up.Key TakeawaysConsistency wins: 156 episodes in 2025 and no missed weeks in 6 yearsGlobal reach: listeners in 100 countries and 3,853 cities in 2025Top cities: Toronto #1, followed by Minneapolis and ChicagoTop 10% on Buzzsprout: driven by listens per episode + community sharingThe search effect is real: the episodes that rank highest are the ones parents need answers to (tryouts, benchmarks, myths)The Top 5 Episodes of 2025 (Countdown)#5: Do Early Hockey Stars Stay Ahead? (Ep. 399)#4: What Skills Should My Kid Have at Their Age? (Ep. 390)#3: 3 Pieces of Advice Hockey Parents Ask For… and Ignore (Ep. 376)#2: Debunking Youth Hockey Myths w/ Bruins Performance Coach Kevin Neal (Ep. 358)#1: The Truth About Tryouts and Evaluations (Ep. 355)Honorable Mention: The Underappreciated Defenseman (Ep. 343)Practical Tips for Parents (takeaways from this discussion)Don't panic over a 2–3 day tryout window—evaluation happens all seasonUse benchmarks as guardrails, not pressure—kids develop at different speedsWhen you're stuck at the rink… search the website + share the episodeSend questions in—some of the best episodes start with a listener email--Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena!

Happy New Year, hockey friends and families!

⏰ This is it. The final reminder.In this short but important episode, we're officially in the last 24 hours of our massive year-end Wraparound Roundtable Grand Prize Giveaway—and we don't want a single hockey family to miss their chance.

⏰ One week left… and this might be the biggest youth hockey giveaway we've ever done.Every year, we look for a way to say thank you to the hockey families who make this community so special — and this year's Holiday End-of-Year Giveaway is next level.In this short but important episode, we break down everything one lucky family can win, and trust us — this is the kind of prize pack that makes you the hero of the locker room.

For the final episode of this season's Wraparound Roundtable, we're joined by Chris Kibui — the creator behind Hockey Tutorial, one of hockey's most respected and widely‑watched channels. From humble beginnings making “how to hockey stop” videos to producing gear reviews, expert tutorials, and international documentaries, Chris has spent over a decade bridging the gap between gear tech, on‑ice performance, and global hockey culture.Lee and Chris dive deep into:

This week on The Wraparound Roundtable, we're joined by Tim McCarthy, founder of Goalie Gear Nerd — one of the most respected voices in the world of goalie equipment. With nearly a decade of gear expertise (and a lifelong obsession with pads, gloves, and everything in between), Tim breaks down how a passion project turned into a global hub for goaltender knowledge.He and Lee dive into what sparked his gear obsession, how sharing his nerdy curiosity grew into an online community, and why the relationships he's built with brands and fellow goalies mean far more than follower counts. This episode is a deep look at gear, authenticity, and why doing what you love always shows.

Welcome to this week's Wraparound Roundtable, where the game meets grit and grassroots passion. We're joined by Will Stephens — founder of Trailer Park Sports Network — a one‑man media machine operating out of a trailer in North Alabama, with a mission to grow hockey (and other under‑the‑radar sports) in nontraditional markets.Once a skeptic, Will became a fan of the game after witnessing the intensity of the 4 Nations Face-Off — and that moment flipped a switch. Since then, he's used roller hockey, street‑hockey scrimmages, commentary, and social content to build community where ice rinks are rare.In this episode we dive into:How a southern upbringing and a chance view of the 4 Nations Face‑Off ignited Will's love for hockeyWhy he believes street and roller hockey are the keys to growing the game in the SouthThe founding story behind Trailer Park Sports Network and how one man can start a movementThe challenges and surprises of being a hockey voice outside traditional marketsHis bigger goal: shining a spotlight on athletes and sports that mainstream media often ignoresIf you believe hockey belongs everywhere — not just in cold‑weather cities — this episode is for you.As always: remember to head over to hockeywraparound.com, hit the Roundtable button, and enter for this week's prize pack: Green Biscuit + Puckaround, plus Will's bonus: a Hockey Wraparound.Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!NHL Sense Arena annual memberships are 50% off for the holidays, starting at just $29 a month — plus you can save an extra $25 with code OKPH at checkout.Gift you hockey family the ultimate hockey training experience with NHL Sense Arena ‘26 — available now at hockey.sensearena.com/OKPHHave A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know!Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow!Follow Us On Social Media: Facebook Group X Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

This week on The Wraparound Roundtable, we're honored to welcome Katie Cummings — a women's hockey forward whose journey from a non‑traditional hockey market in Nashville all the way to collegiate ice proves that passion and perseverance break barriers.From starting hockey at age 12 as one of just a few girls in her area, to logging basement stick‑handling hours to catch up — Katie opens up about what it truly takes to chase the dream when the odds aren't stacked in your favor. She also talks about discovering a deeper mission: giving visibility to women's hockey, creating representation for girls who never saw someone like them in the game, and using her platform to inspire others.

This week on The Wraparound Roundtable, we sit down with Ryan Beckmann — father, coach, mental health advocate, and founder of The Last Save and Ultimate Goalie Showdown — to explore how hockey became the pathway for his recovery and his mission to help others heal.From ICU hospital visits to launching nationwide events with NHL players, Ryan shares how pain shaped his purpose — and how he's using the sport to support families and individuals battling mental health and addiction.

This week on the Wraparound Roundtable, we sit down with Danny Bdzoch, the creative mind behind DB16 Media, known for his viral 711 jersey shoot, custom gear concepts, and wildly unique content that's capturing the spirit of hockey one post at a time.Danny shares how a Christmas GoPro turned into a content career, why authenticity beats algorithm, and how he balances fun, fandom, and originality — all while fielding DMs from major brands and fans begging for his custom jerseys.

This one's for the hockey gearheads and budget-savvy parents! In this episode, Lee introduces Mode Hockey, a brand creating elite-level sticks specifically built for youth players. With correct flex, shaft size, and kid-friendly curves, these true one-piece sticks are ideal for mites to intermediates. And right now, it's BOGO on all sticks—no code needed!

Transform your hockey home setup with this incredible Black Friday deal from Ultimate Hockey Fans! From custom ceiling fans to lamps and wall art, these one-of-a-kind heirlooms bring hockey fandom to life. Lee highlights how his own family uses these amazing pieces and shares an exclusive 35% off code (UHF35)—the deepest discount they've ever offered!

Looking for the ideal hockey gift for a young player or new hockey family? In this micro-episode, Lee introduces Twig & Biscuit: Learn to Play Hockey, an award-winning children's book co-authored with Paul Cohen. Perfect for ages 4–8, this beautifully illustrated book walks new players through getting dressed for the game. Plus, discover bonus merch like puck lamps and equipment checklists—only at TwigBiscuit.com!

Get ready to protect your sticks and your wallet this holiday season! In this special episode, Lee Elias shares a limited-time deal from Hockey Wraparound, the industry leader in off-ice stick protection. For four days only, you can get 25% off all Wraparound and Green Biscuit products—no code needed! Learn how this family-owned business is helping players train smarter and save money, and how supporting it helps keep Our Kids Play Hockey going strong.

This week, Our Kids Play Hockey is taking a brief break from the Wraparound Roundtable giveaway series to celebrate the holiday season and encourage our community to support small and medium-sized hockey businesses.While there's no weekly giveaway this week, the grand prize is still on its way, and the full series continues soon!

Welcome to another Wraparound Roundtable — our holiday special series where we spotlight the biggest creators in the game and give away major prizes!This week, we're joined by the one and only Pavel Barber — stickhandling phenom, skills coach, and one of the most recognized names in online hockey content.