Pavel Barber (Part 2): Why Slowing Down Is the Fastest Way to Get Better at Hockey 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

Pavel Barber (Part 2): Why Slowing Down Is the Fastest Way to Get Better at Hockey

February 05, 2026 • Our Kids Play Hockey • Season 1 • Episode 478

0:00 | 44:30

🔥 What if the secret to elite hockey skills isn’t more ice time… but more patience?

In Part 2 of our powerful conversation with Pavel Barber, we go far beyond highlight-reel moves and viral clips to unpack what real skill development actually looks like.

From mastering the basics to embracing boredom, failing forward, and letting go of ego, Pavel delivers one of the most important messages young players, parents, and coaches can hear right now.

💡 In this episode, we dive into:

Why slowing down is the fastest way to get better
How off-ice reps (even 10 minutes a day) can transform a player’s game
The truth about trick shots, social media, and “instant gratification”
Why boredom, creativity, and free play are development superpowers
How floorball, multi-sport play, and other interests build better hockey players
The role of failure, ego management, and grit in long-term success

🏒 Pavel also shares stories from representing Team Canada in floorball, explains why today’s kids have an incredibly high ceiling, and reminds everyone listening that comparison is the fastest way to lose joy in the game.

This isn’t about becoming the next viral sensation — it’s about learning how to love the process, trust the work, and build skills that actually translate to the ice.

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Why Slowing Down Might Be the Fastest Way to Help Your Child Get Better at Hockey

🎧 If you’re a hockey parent, coach, or young player trying to navigate development in today’s fast-paced world, this episode is a must-listen.

👉 Have questions or thoughts? Click the link in the show notes and let us know — we love hearing from our hockey community.

#OurKidsPlayHockey #PavelBarber #YouthHockeyDevelopment #HockeySkills #DelayedGratification #HockeyParents #HockeyCoaches #LoveTheProcess #MultiSportAthlete

Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!

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

Trusted by our kids! Trust it with yours! Trusted at the NHL level through youth hockey, Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace.

Right now, they’ve got offseason pricing at $299 for the year—less than a dollar a day, and up to four profiles. Use code OKPH to save an extra $25 off your purchase

Have 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: