Episode Details

🏒 Not getting enough ice time? Before blaming the coach, it may be time to ask a better question: What can I do to earn more trust?

In this episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, Lee Elias and Olympic gold medalist and Walter Cup champion Hayley Scamurra tackle one of the most emotional—and often misunderstood—topics in youth hockey: ICE TIME.

Players naturally want to be on the ice. Parents want to see their children get opportunities. Coaches want to put their teams in the best position to succeed. But when frustration takes over, players can begin focusing on what they cannot control instead of recognizing the actions that may help them earn their next shift.

Hayley explains why effort, attitude, awareness, and being a supportive teammate can influence a coach’s trust far more than sulking on the bench or obsessing over points. She also shares how shifting her own focus away from scoring helped her enjoy the game again, contribute more consistently, and ultimately reach new heights in her professional and international career.

🔥 In this episode, Lee and Hayley discuss:

• Why players sometimes receive more ice time than they realize
• The difference between asking for ice time and asking how to improve
• How body language and attitude affect a coach’s decisions
• Why players must stay engaged even while sitting on the bench
• How simple, dependable plays build trust
• Why risky moves at the blue line can quickly reduce opportunities
• The danger of measuring a player’s value only through goals and points
• How coaches can communicate roles honestly and constructively
• Why younger players should receive meaningful development opportunities
• How parents can help players advocate for themselves
• The importance of controlling effort, attitude, preparation, and response

One of the biggest lessons from the conversation is that earning ice time is not always about making the flashiest play. It may mean blocking a shot, clearing the defensive zone, supporting a teammate, protecting the front of the net, making the safe play at the blue line, or bringing energy to the bench.

For parents, this episode is also an important reminder to pause before immediately blaming the coach. Encourage your player to approach the situation with curiosity, accountability, and a willingness to hear constructive feedback.

For coaches, the message is equally clear: communicate honestly, recognize more than offensive production, and follow through when players make the improvements you asked them to make.

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Not Getting Enough Ice Time? Focus on What You Can Control

🎧 Listen now for a thoughtful, honest conversation that can help players, parents, and coaches navigate ice-time frustrations while keeping development—and the team—at the center of the game.

#OurGirlsPlayHockey #GirlsHockey #WomensHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyParents #HockeyCoaching #IceTime #PlayerDevelopment #HockeyMindset #HockeyLeadership #TeamFirst #HayleyScamurra

Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!

Hockey IQ: Scanning the ice, recognizing pressure, anticipating what happens next, making the right decision faster. Research shows these perceptual and decision-making skills can actually be trained. With NHL Sense Arena, kids can get extra game-like reps at home, working on hockey IQ, reactions, real stick-handling for skaters, while goalies can train reads and tracking. Save $25 on an annual plan with code OKPH at http://hockey.sensearena.com/okph

Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover?