Goalie Dad, Coach & Hockey Expo Founder: Interview With Chris Holmes

Goalie Dad, Coach & Hockey Expo Founder: Interview With Chris Holmes

In this episode of Pucked Up Parents, Michael and Angela sit down with Chris Holmes—a hockey dad, goalie dad, youth hockey coach, and the founder of Buffalo's Queen City Hockey Expo. Chris shares his journey into the hockey world, how his child unexpectedly became a goalie, and what inspired him to step behind the bench as a youth coach. The conversation then shifts to a large hockey community off-ice event y as Chris tells the story behind the creation of the Queen City Hockey Expo. He explains how the idea came together, the challenges of building the event from the ground up, and what families, players, coaches, and hockey fans can expect when they attend this year's Expo on August 9, 2026. Whether you're looking for the latest gear, training resources, hockey connections, or just another excuse to spend a day surrounded by the game, this episode gives listeners an inside look at one of youth hockey's most exciting community events.

Hockey Sponsored Life: How Youth Hockey Infiltrates Our Every Day Lives

This episode of Pucked Up Parents, Michael and Angela kick things off with a recap of the latest hockey happenings, including their 12Us experience at summer hockey camp, the was it worth it story of how Angela managed to crack her phone screen because of hockey, and a listener's story that reminds us why maybe... just maybe... we should cut referees a little slack. Then it's on to the main event: how youth hockey completely infiltrates every aspect of a parent's daily life. Before you know it, hockey isn't just a sport—it's become your measuring stick for everything. Hockey tape replaces duct tape, a hockey stick becomes the perfect tool for hiding and retrieving things from under the bed, and a spare helmet suddenly seems like appropriate protective equipment for unsafe household chores. Michael and Angela dive into the unmistakable aroma of that permeates hockey away from the rink including garages that smell like a locker room to vehicles that need a pine tree gas station scented air freshner. They discuss how hockey influences major life decisions—like buying a vehicle based on equipment storage instead of gas mileage, skipping non-hockey events—and why years of stay-to-play hotels have necessitated VIP 5-star vacation hotels. They also talk about how their closets and gift lists have been completely hijacked by hoodies, wool socks, team apparel, and hockey merchandise, proving that once hockey enters your life, there's no escaping it. Throw in an excessive number of comments about the current scorching Cincinnati heat, far too many Clark Griswold references, and plenty of stories that every hockey parent will recognize, and you've got another episode that proves hockey isn't just something your kids play—it's a lifestyle that quietly takes over everything.

Come On Ref!: An Interview with Youth Hockey Referee Jeremy MacWalter

Hosts Michael and Angela venture into dangerous territory by inviting a real-life youth hockey referee, Jeremy, onto the show. That's right—the guy everyone yells at from the stands finally gets a chance to share his side of the story. Jeremy shares his hockey journey, from player to official, and explains what led him to being a referee. He breaks down the different levels of officiating and what it takes to move up the referee ranks. Of course, Michael and Angela don't let him off easy. They ask the hard-hitting questions every hockey parent secretly wants answered: * Are referees secretly biased toward the home team? * How embarrassing is it when you wipe out in front of a packed rink? * Can refs actually hear everything parents yell from the stands? * How do officials deal with rowdy parents, emotional coaches, and players who think every penalty is a conspiracy? Jeremy gives an honest look behind the curtain at one of the toughest and most misunderstood jobs in youth sports. The conversation is funny, insightful, and may even convince a few listeners to think twice before screaming "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" after every offside call. Whether you've been tossed from a rink, sat next to that parent, or spent years blaming the refs for your team's losses, this episode shines a spotlight on the truly thankless, unsung heroes of youth hockey—the referee

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.