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. Each episode of Our Girls Play Hockey is also hosted by Sheri Hudspeth who is the Director, Youth Hockey Programs and Fan Development for the Vegas Golden Knights.
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.
Our Kids Play Hockey
The Ride To The Rink - Winning the Crease: Mental Mastery & Team Dynamics in Goalie Tryouts
On this week's episode of "Our Kids Play Hockey,: The Ride To The Rink" we're joined by the Goalie Doctors who dive deep into the psychological and social intricacies crucial for acing goalie tryouts. This episode is not just about the mechanics of goaltending but about mastering the mental game and fostering team synergy, whether you're in the crease or skating in front.
In This Episode:
- Discover the art of mental and social finesse essential for goaltenders during tryouts, transcending beyond the typical game analysis.
- Learn from the goalie doctors about building rapport with teammates on the ice, utilizing positive communication, and setting the emotional temperature for the game.
- Understand how being a source of positive energy and demonstrating passion for the game can make goalies stand out to coaches.
For the Skaters:
- Find out how your interaction with the goalie can not only improve your performance but also highlight your team spirit during tryouts.
- Uncover strategies on supporting your goalie, fostering a spirit of camaraderie over competition, and integrating them as a core part of the team's success.
Key Takeaways:
- Goalies: Step up as the team's thermostat, not just a thermometer, by actively influencing the game's mood and dynamics.
- Skaters: Your support and interaction with the goalie can significantly impact the team's overall performance and atmosphere during tryouts.
Whether you're aiming to be the next top goalie or a skater looking to enhance team dynamics, this episode is packed with insights to elevate your game and tryout strategy. By the end of the episode, you'll be equipped with the tools to not only secure your spot on the team but also become a pivotal team player, radiating confidence and camaraderie on the ice.
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So, gentlemen, I know a big part of tryouts for goaltenders, and players are speaking directly to the goaltenders. Now is you got to interact with those other kids on the ice too. What should the approach be for the goaltenders with that?
Speaker 2:No, for my side, whenever I was trying out, I always try to have some a little bit of banter back and forth. You know, if someone comes down and gets a nice shot, nice shot, or if I make a big save, I'm giving a little, not my house today, or on the defensive side, I'm always giving a couple out of boys whenever they play well in front of me. You know, anything that I try to do was be a positive energy on the ice, which I thought was contagious to my peers. So always try and just be that. You know that thermostat right, don't be a don't, don't be the one that is relying upon someone else to set the temperature. You set the temperature of the ice and the ice slot. So communication goes a long way. Talking with the D in the forwards and having a little bit of fun. It keeps you engaged and also makes sure that the forwards and the D are also engaged as well.
Speaker 3:I mean, for me tryouts are games. So go out just like you would in a game. I think when you step in the rink, you prepare for trial like you would a game, whether it be whatever hand-eye you do, whatever mobility you do. And once you step on the ice, whether it be a flow drill, whether it be a battle drill, whether it be a game, play your game, and hopefully that means talking to your D playing Pox you know, making passes, controlling rims, things of that nature. But I think, try out. They want to see you play like you play in a game. So that is your opportunity to do so.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I just want to add one thing from a coaching perspective If you're a goalie, and there's like four goalies out there, don't give your net up. Like don't be so easy to say, oh, you're just starting, goalie, I get it, you, you belong here, get in there, fight for your spot, you know, physically well, whatever, just get in there. You know, get in there and get your time. Don't let somebody kick you out of your crease when you you know you're supposed to be getting five reps. Get your five reps because coaches look for that. Like, if you're a kid that can't compete in in against the, the the stronger personalities, it becomes a negative for you. So just you know, fight for your reps. Keep pucks out of your net If you, if you want, you know, if you do your regular routines, do it Like, don't be afraid to be. You know to show your personality, because I think coaches want to see, like, oh, what kid do I have here? This kid likes to talk. This kid likes to you know, do the adabois. This kid likes to like he's pulling all the pucks out of his net because he's pissed off that there's pucks sitting in his net. Like, I like that. I like kids that show me that this means as much to me, you know, to make this team as it means to the coach why. And to pick me.
Speaker 3:Mike, on the flip side of that, don't be the goalie that takes all the reps either.
Speaker 4:Right, right. And I think coaches see that. They see selfishness, they see you know, especially if you're just getting lit up, get out of there.
Speaker 1:That's been great advice for all of you young goaltenders. There are also some perspective for the players out there. How you interact with a goaltender and a tryout matters too, right, are you letting them know that they made a big save? Are you letting them know that they're part of the team? Are you letting the coaches see you understand that that goaltending position also matters in the long run at a tryout, so sure you got to try and score goals. You got to try and make plays. You also got to be a great teammate. You got to be a great defender on both sides of the rink, and a tryout offers all of it. So that's going to do it for this edition of the ride to the rink with the goalie doctors. Have a great tryout, have a great season. We'll see you next time on the Ride Road. Bye-bye.
