House of Hockey; Youth Hockey Rinks from Barns to NHL Luxury

Hockey Rituals, Routine & Superstitions: "Tap It, Don't Touch It, Don't Wash It"

In this episode Michael and Angela kick things off with a recap of another chaotic week in hockey life. Michael shares the boys latest adventures from beer league and squeezing in ice time, while Angela recounts a travel nightmare trying to get home from a work trip—proving once again that hockey parents aren't the only ones who spend their lives battling schedules, delays, and unexpected drama. The main topic this week dives deep into the strange, hilarious, and sometimes downright ridiculous world of hockey rituals and superstitions. From players refusing to touch a championship trophy before it's officially won, to carefully tiptoeing around team logos in the locker room, Michael and Angela explore the traditions that have become part of hockey culture. They discuss lucky socks, lucky meals, pregame routines, and the questionable decision by some players to avoid washing gear for weeks—or even months—in the name of preserving a winning streak.

Expecting the Unexpected: Adventures in Youth Hockey Chaos

On this episode of Pucked Up Parents, Michael and Angela dive headfirst into the unpredictable world of youth hockey adventures and all the chaos that comes with it. Because let's be honest—if you've spent enough weekends at the rink, you've probably learned that the game itself is often the least dramatic part of the trip. The hosts swap stories about dead car batteries in freezing parking lots, flat tires on tournament mornings, white-knuckle drives through snowstorms, torrential rain, and just about every weather condition Mother Nature can throw at hockey families. They also discuss hotel mishaps, power outages, food poisoning, lost reservations, closed rinks, missing equipment, and the countless other surprises that seem to appear at the worst possible moments. Michael and Angela share some of their own memorable travel disasters, while also reading stories submitted by listeners and followers who have experienced everything from getting stranded hundreds of miles from home with no clothes to discovering that a rink schedule had changed without anyone noticing. In Hockey This Week, Michael recounts a personal defeat that may sting even more than a championship loss: getting smoked in a 5K race by his 12-year-old son. Not only did his son beat him fair and square, but he made sure to rub salt in the wound with some smack talk via text It's an episode full of laughs, cautionary tales, and a reminder that in youth hockey, the best-laid plans are often just the opening act for whatever unexpected adventure awaits around the next corner. Pack an extra charger, bring a spare tire, and maybe keep some pedialyte hady—because when it comes to hockey, expect the unexpected.

College Hockey: NCAA, ACHA, Intramurals — The Long Road to Beer League

This episode Michael and Angela tackle one of the biggest topics in post youth hockey: the college hockey path. From the bright lights of NCAA Division I hockey to the late-night beer-league-adjacent glory of campus intramurals, they break down the many roads available to players who want to keep skating after high school. Angela takes listeners through the different college hockey options, explaining the structure of NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, while Michael attempts to follow all the eligibility rules straight without needing a whiteboard and a legal team. The hosts also dive into the world of ACHA hockey, discussing how club programs have grown into highly competitive opportunities for players who still want a serious hockey experience without the NCAA route. Michael and Angela also discuss the importance of finding the right fit, reminding families that there are many successful hockey journeys beyond Division I scholarships and NHL dreams. In this week's hockey update, disaster strikes. After weeks of swagger and confidence, The Big Cheese Elite finally falls from the ranks of the unbeaten. Whether you're navigating recruiting emails, considering an ACHA camp, or just trying to figure out what exactly NCAA compliance means, this episode provides a practical guide to the world of college hockey.

The Anti-Hockey Dad Hockey Dad; The Mind of Michael

Angela is out of town this week, so Michael takes over the microphone for a solo episode that dives into his unique journey as a youth hockey parent. Unlike many sports dads, Michael didn't grow up playing hockey, following hockey, or really excelling at sports at all. In fact, he admits that becoming a hockey dad was never part of the plan. Michael reflects on what it's like entering the youth hockey world as a complete outsider and how he's learned the unwritten rules of "Hockey Dad Culture" simply by watching the dads around the rink. The episode also explores the spectrum of sports dads—from the overbearing, live-through-their-kid parent to the dad who's barely seen at the rink all season. Michael takes a look at where he falls on that scale and discusses the challenge of being involved and supportive without becoming "that guy." Along the way, he talks about finding his place in youth hockey, embracing the rink life he never expected to love, and how a self-proclaimed anti-hockey hockey dad somehow ended up spending his weekends in freezing cold arenas. .

House of Hockey; Youth Hockey Rinks from Barns to NHL Luxury

On this episode of Michael and Angela dive into one of the true characters of youth hockey — the rink itself. From freezing cold “barns” with pothole-filled parking lots to immaculate NHL practice facilities with heated viewing areas and bars, they break down every type of hockey rink parents and players experience along the journey. The two discuss everything that makes a rink memorable: the quality (or horror) of the ice, boards that bounce, low benches and seating situations ranging from cushion seats to standing room only. Michael goes off on a passionate rant about youth hockey parking lots — including parents who stop in fire lanes, or double park . Angela puts her HBI skills from the Hockey Mom episode to work on figuring out all the rinks the oldest son has played at in his 12 year career. They also recap “Last Week in Hockey,” where the oldest son's Beer League Big Cheese Elite squad remains undefeated and the youngest son had his new jersey order made .