Breaking the Ice

Mental Health, Uncertainty and Hockey Life BTS with Jordan Laine

Today on Breaking the Ice, I am joined by Jordan Laine, wife of Patrik Laine, who plays for the Montreal Canadiens, and we have a conversation about grief, mental health, and the constant in between. Jordan opens up about losing her mom at 14, navigating this life alongside her husband, and how those experiences led her to co-found with her husband From Us to You. 

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In this episode we talk about:

• Life before hockey and holding onto your identity
• Grief and how it shapes you long-term
• The mental load that comes with this lifestyle
• The reality of trades, uncertainty, and constant change
• Supporting a partner while managing your own mental health
• Turning personal experiences into something that helps others

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You Can Do Hard Things with Carley Carrick

Carley Carrick, wife of Sam Carrick, who plays for the Buffalo Sabres in the NHL joins me today on Breaking the Ice! It was so fun connecting with her IRL after chatting back and forth for years!

In this episode we chat about: 

• How the hockey life pushes you out of your comfort zone and shapes your personal growth
• Navigating major life transitions, pregnancies during call ups and send downs and with young kids
• What a NHL housing letter is and what it symbolizes when you get one
• What the NY Rangers set up looks like for the players and families
• Managing solo roadtrips and the logistics and mental load of trades with kids 
• The hockey community and the community you build in the city you play in
• Starting over in the middle of the season and how she encourages herself to keep on keepin on!

and so much more!

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When The Hockey Life Stops Feeling Like a Dream with Elle Mingoia

Elle Mingoia, wife of Trevor Mingoia, who finished his last professional hockey season playing in Valerenga, Norway, joins me on the podcast today. This episode is real, raw and vulnerable and an episode where I know a lot of women will feel heard.

We chat about: 

• Having kids adds a whole new layer to hockey decisions
• The mental load of hockey life (on and off the ice)
• How the business side of hockey is changing for families: Logistics, Needs and being told one thing and showing up to another
• The uncertainty of what comes next after hockey
• Why no one really prepares you for retirement
• The identity shift that comes with this lifestyle
• Thinking about life beyond hockey… before you have to

and so much more! I can't wait for you guys to listen to this episode. If you are struggling in this lifestyle, please reach out or confide in someone you trust. You are not alone! 

 

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LINKS:

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Say Yes to the Adventures with Yakira Gill

Yakira Gill, wife of Sahir Gill, who plays in Hannover Germany in the Del3, joins me on the podcast! Over the past 8 years in Europe, Yakira has such a positive perspective about their hockey journey and this is a must listen if you need a little inspo to make the best of it!

In this episode we chat about: 

• What her and her family ask for from teams when making a decision of where to sign 
• Finding joy in the small moments
• The European Hockey experience and what that has been like for her and her three kids 
• First year culture shock and the adjustment period
• Her birth experiences in Europe vs. North America 
• Birth Advice for those giving birth abroad

and so much more! 

 

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Goodbye Europe, Hello North America....Again with Devyn Dodero

Buckle up. Today is the day my solo episode is out and I am catching you up you up to speed on my life. This episode is HONEST. This isn't a universal episode, or an episode where I am speaking for everyone. It's simply me sharing my truth. Whenever I record these solo episodes, I always listen back and think there are more things I wish I said or described! But I sat down one night during an away game, and shared my truth! 

In this episode I am chatting about: 

• Why we originally went overseas and what drew us to hockey there
• Walking through our Euro journey 
• What I enjoy about the lifestyle over there
• Why we made the decision to be done with Europe
• Loneliness abroad and how that deeply affected my mental health
• Sharing our conversations about what life may look like after hockey
• Online noise about the hockey life
• the ECHL strike over Christmas
• How I am staying grounded and what I am focusing on with a crazy North American hockey schedule

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Navigating Unpredictability, 3 under 3, and What Really Matters in the Hockey World with Caitlyn Mantha

Today on Breaking the Ice, I am joined by Caitlyn Mantha, wife of Anthony Mantha, who plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL! In this episode we chat about: 

• Navigating Unpredictability in this lifestyle: trades, moves and what they do every season with their living arrangements
• Flexibility and her roll with it attitude for surviving constant change
• How they prioritize and focus on their relationship throughout the hockey season
• Solo parenting and long roadtrips
• How she has evolved throughout her years in the hockey lifestyle

and so much more!

 

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Viva Las Vegas with Mariana Theodore

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by Marianna Theodore, wife of Shea Theodore from the Vegas Golden Knights!

We dive into:

• How they navigated the early days of a long-distance relationship.

• The fun and unique traditions the wives have every year in Vegas.

• Experiencing the highs (and emotions) of winning the Stanley Cup.

• A behind the scenes look at life in a pro hockey family.

• How they find connection and balance as parents amidst a fast-paced lifestyle.

and so much more!

 

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The Mental Load of Hockey Motherhood with The Mama Psychologists

Today on the Breaking the Ice, I am joined by Caitlin and Chelsea, the women behind the Instagram page @themamapsychologists  !

We chat about the unique challenges of motherhood in hockey life. From postpartum anxiety and depression to solo parenting during road trips, this episode will help you navigate life away from your support systems.

We dive into: 

• The Importance of Community in Postpartum
• How isolation, especially living overseas, impacts new mothers
• NICU Experience and Trauma
• Differentiating Baby Blues from Postpartum Mental Health Issues
• Partner Preparation and Support
• Social Media Boundaries and Mental Health
• Managing info overload and algorithm driven anxiety content
• Solo Parenting and Self Care
• Practical strategies for managing alone time during hockey season

This is a MUST listen for moms everywhere!

 

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From Navy Life to Hockey Wife

A former Naval Flight Officer turned graduate student, whose story is nothing short of inspiring! She opens up about discipline, identity, and the resilience it takes to thrive.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• How her job prepared her for the unpredictability of hockey life

• Meeting her husband on Hinge and navigating years of long-distance

• Early relationship challenges with international career decisions

• Balancing two demanding careers and learning to compartmentalize stress

• Breaking stereotypes about military women and hockey players
  and more!

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Find What Works for You with Lauren Rodych-Eberle

This week on Breaking the Ice, I chat with Lauren Rodych-Eberle, wife to Jordan Eberle, captain of the Seattle Kraken. Lauren and I dive into what life looks like in the hockey world as a captain’s family, raising three kids, and building a life that changes every season!

We talk about:

• The difference between in season and off season rhythms

• What it means to be “the captain’s wife” (and the role that comes with it)

• Navigating trades and the constant possibility of moving

• Conscious parenting and how to ground your kids in the chaos

• Having real conversations with older kids about leaving and getting settled for the hockey season

• Finding balance and identity outside of hockey while raising three little ones

Lauren also shares about their family foundation, Sticks and Strings, which supports music and hockey programming for kids. From helping provide instruments to funding hockey camps and clinics, it’s all about creating opportunities for kids to find confidence and connection through both sports and the arts.

This is one of my faves, enjoy!

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