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Hali Laxdal, wife of Derek Laxdal, who is the Head Coach for the Coachella Firebirds in the AHL, joins me today on Breaking the Ice! Hali and Derek have spent 40 hockey seasons together and have moved a total of 51 times!   In this episode we chat about:  Raising kids through constant moves, uncertain contracts and starting over. Making each new place feel like home, even when it’s temporary. The transition from player’s wife to coach’s wife and how their marriage evolved with hockey over the years Financial stress, sacrifice and the side of hockey life people rarely see. Bringing team families together and why wives deserve to feel included. and SO much more!  Follow Breaking the Ice on Instagram Follow Hali on Instagram Order CUSTOM GEAR for the hockey season from GAME DAY CUSTOMS Get $30 off your first NUULY order!

Lo Carr, wife of Kevin Carr, who finished last season in Nottingham, England in the EIHL.  In this episode we chat about:  In this episode, we talk about: How Lo and Kevin met in college, lost touch and unexpectedly found their way back to each other years later Their experience living and playing hockey in England, Germany, Norway and Scotland Learning to adapt to new countries, teams and communities season after season Lo’s “say yes” mentality and how it shaped her experience living abroad Building and maintaining her own career while moving internationally for hockey Finding remote jobs and her advice for hockey partners trying to do the same The emotions that come with knowing your final hockey season is actually your final season Going out on your own terms versus having the game make the decision for you Lo’s biggest advice after years in the hockey world: say yes, embrace where you are, and make the most of every season Follow BTI on Instagram  Follow Lo on Instagram and TikTok Stock up on healthy groceries and household essentials delivered right to your door. Get 40% off your first order

This week, I'm joined by Lauren Pronger, wife of Chris Pronger, who is a NHL Hall of Famer. Lauren is a entrepreneur, certified Integrative Nutrition Coach, bestselling author, founder of Super Well and Well-Inspired Travels! Lauren shares the honest, often unseen side of life behind professional hockey. From meeting Chris at the start of his NHL career to navigating multiple moves, raising three children, and eventually facing his career-ending concussion, she opens up about the identity shifts, burnout, and rebuilding that followed. One of my favorite parts of this conversation is Lauren's reminder that supporting your spouse and building something of your own are not mutually exclusive. Whether you're in the middle of the hockey grind, preparing for retirement, or simply wondering what's next for you, this episode is full of wisdom, encouragement, and practical advice. In This Episode We Cover: Why every hockey wife should nurture an identity outside of the game How Lauren and Chris first met and built a life together through hockey Navigating the mental load of motherhood during the hockey season The devastating impact of Chris's career-ending concussion on their family Lauren's experience with severe burnout and what finally helped her recover How she turned a passion for travel into a successful luxury wellness business Preparing for life after professional sports before retirement arrives Raising children in the spotlight of professional athletics Why investing in yourself ultimately benefits your marriage and family   If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love if you'd subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another hockey wife or sports family who could use this conversation. Follow Breaking the Ice on Instagram @breakingtheicepod for more stories from behind the scenes of professional hockey, and be sure to connect with Lauren to learn more about her wellness journey and businesses. Follow Lauren Pronger on Instagram + her website!  Check out Well Inspired Travels  Grab your copy of Laurens Book!   Episode Sponsors ✨ Rents4Baby – Make traveling with little ones easier. Use code ICE10 for 10% off your rental. 🥕 Thrive Market – Stock up on healthy groceries and household essentials delivered right to your door. Get 40% off your first box!

Rachael Czarnik, wife of Austin Czarnik, who plays in Lausanne, Switzerland, joins me today on Breaking the Ice! In this episode, we cover: Making long-distance work during the early years of professional hockey Why they chose Switzerland over the uncertainty of the AHL/NHL lifestyle Raising young children abroad and creating stability through constant change What to know and what to pack before making the move overseas The biggest culture shocks after arriving in Europe Building community in a new country Processing the loss of her mother Giving birth in Switzerland and why the experience exceeded every expectation Rachel's advice for families considering taking the leap overseas and so much more! This is such a great conversation.   Follow me on Instagram  Follow Rachael on Instagram! Get $30 OFF your first Nuuly Order!  My LinkTree

Brittany Wedgewood, wife of Scott Wedgewood, who is the goalie for the Colorado Avalanche joins me back on Breaking the Ice! Brit is no stranger to the podcast and I am so excited for you to listen in for this conversation. In this episode we chat about: Life updates, more stability in Colorado, and playoff run emotions Behind the scenes as a goalie family during high pressure moments Dealing with social media negativity and the impact of sports betting culture The realities and misconceptions of life as a hockey wife Building a support system through the hockey community Navigating motherhood with two young children and finding balance Hockey life with pets, constant moves, and the everyday chaos of hockey life Favorite hockey cities and what makes different organizations stand out The importance of veteran leadership, community, and team culture and as always, so much more! Follow Breaking the Ice on Instagram Follow Brittany on Instagram Get 40% off  VIOLENT GENTLEMAN women and children's collection with the code BREAKING40

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.  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 Get 20% off your Violent Gentlemen order with the code BREAKING20 Follow the podcast on Instagram Follow Jordan on Instagram and Youtube Support Jordan and Patrik's Non Profit: From Us to You Mental Health Resources

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! Get 20% OFF Your VIOLENT GENTLEMEN ORDER with the code BREAKING20 at check out!  Follow Breaking the Ice on Instagram

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!    Follow the podcast on Instagram  Follow Elle on Instagram Support Elle's business/follow on Instagram: Peach Lab Charleston   LINKS: Get 35% off your first BEAM order with the code ICE Get 15% off your first NUULY order!

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!    Follow me on Instagram Follow Yakira on Instagram  Get 35% off your first BEAM order with the code ice  Get 15% off your first NUULY order

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 Follow Breaking the Ice on Instagram

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!   Follow Breaking the Ice on Instagram Follow Caitlyn on Instagram Get 10% off your TELETIES order

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!   Follow the Podcast on Instagram Follow Mariana on Instagram Use Rents4Baby next time you travel (Code ICE10 for 10% off your order) Get Game Day Ready with JEOVERSEAS

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!   Follow my page on Instagram Get 20% off your first Little Bipsy Order with the code BREAKINGTHEICE20

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! Follow the Podcast on Instagram!   EPISODE SPONSORS: Get 20% off your first Little Bipsy order with the code BREAKINGTHEICE20 Get 15% off Poppy and Pine with the code HOCKEY15

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! Follow Breaking the Ice on Instagram Shop Little Bipsy and Get 20% Off Your First Order with the code BREAKINGTHEICE20 Get 40% off at Cozy Earth with the code ICE40   Follow Lauren on Instagram  Follow Sticks and Strings Foundation Contribute to their Foundation