Tournament Turmoil: The Real Cost of Youth Hockey Tournaments

💸 Ever felt like youth hockey tournaments are taking you for a ride? You’re not alone. This week, Lee Elias, Christie Casciano-Burns, and Mike Bonelli go full “60 Minutes” mode to uncover the real cost of tournaments — from mandatory hotel stays and inflated fees to the emotional tug-of-war parents face when trying to give their kids unforgettable hockey experiences.🏒 In This Eye-Opening Episode:The “stay-to-play” trap that forces families to book overpriced hotelsWhy some tournaments have lost their purpose — and what good ones still get rightHow fundraising and affordability are dividing teamsWhen to say “no” to a tournament — and how to push back as a communityInnovative ideas to rethink tournaments entirely, from skill weekends to balanced, developmental events💬 Whether you’re a seasoned hockey parent or just entering the travel circuit, this is a must-listen conversation that pulls no punches — but offers plenty of hope (and humor) for a better path forward.👉 Got thoughts on this? Email us at [email protected] — we might feature your perspective in a future episode.🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts!📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Tournament Turmoil: The Hidden Costs of Youth Hockey and How Families Can Take Back Control#YouthHockey #HockeyParents #HockeyLife #TournamentTravel #StayToPlay #HockeyCommunity #OurKidsPlayHockeyClick 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/okphHave 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:Facebook GroupXInstagramLinkedInYouTube