🏒 Should your 9-year-old play up… or just play?

This week on Our Girls Play Hockey, we tackle a question every hockey parent faces sooner or later—and it’s not as simple as it seems.

A parent writes in with a tough decision:
➡️ Stay at 10U close to home
➡️ Play co-ed locally
➡️ Or accept a 12U opportunity that comes with a 2-hour commute multiple nights a week

Sounds like a great opportunity… but is it really?

Olympian Haley Scamurra joins Lee and Mike to break down what actually matters at this age—and why chasing “better competition” might not be the answer.

🔑 What We Cover:

Why fun and love of the game should come first at 9U/10U
The real impact of long travel on kids (and families)
When (and if) playing up actually makes sense
Why more ice time doesn’t always mean better development
The truth about “elite” teams at young ages
How different coaches shape players (even the bad ones 👀)
What Haley’s journey really looked like—and when travel actually mattered

💡 Key Takeaway:
You’re not choosing your child’s future—you’re choosing their experience.

📣 If you’ve ever felt pressure to “do more,” “go further,” or “keep up”… this episode is your reset.

🎯 Have a question for the show?
Send us a message—we might feature it in a future episode!

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Should Your Child Play Up in Hockey? A Real Guide for Parents of 9–10 Year Olds

#OurGirlsPlayHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyParents #GirlsHockey #HockeyDevelopment #PlayHockey #YouthSports #ParentingInSports #HockeyLife

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