Podcast · Sport

Rinkside Rundown

by Chris Sinclair · English · Sport

Rinkside Rundown with Chris Sinclair is your go-to podcast for women’s hockey stories, insights, and interviews. From rising stars and NCAA standouts to pro players and coaches, get behind-the-scenes access to the journeys, training, challenges, and milestones shaping the future of women’s hockey

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 34 min
Latest: 8 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

8 Oct 2026 · 42 min

Lyndsey Janes on Transitioning from Captain to Coach at the University of Manitoba

This week on Rinkside Rundown, we welcome back friend of the show, Lyndsey Janes. When we first spoke back on Episode 47, Lyndsey was in the middle of her playing career at Mount Royal University. Now, she is stepping into a brand new chapter as an assistant coach with the University of Manitoba Bisons. In this conversation, Lyndsey opens up about navigating the shift from player to coach, what she takes from her time wearing the "C" into her leadership behind the bench, and the incredible growth of women's hockey on the coaching side. Episode 47 is linked here . If you’re enjoying these…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S1 · E143 · 1 Oct 2026 · 38 min
Grace Sadura on Community Leadership and Her New Chapter at Northeastern University
Grace Sadura joins the show to talk about her hockey journey, leadership, and commitment to the community. From growing up in Minnesota and playing three seasons at Minnesota Duluth to starting a new chapter with Northeastern University, Grace shares what has shaped her path on and off the ice. We dive into her role as a leader, her academic focus in psychology and Mandarin Chinese, and her impactful work in the community that earned her a nomination as a finalist for the Hockey Humanitarian Award. Listen to the full episode and subscribe for more stories from across the world of women's…
S1 · E142 · 24 Sep 2026 · 36 min
Tristan Thompson on the Road Back, Resilience, and Her New Start at St. Cloud State
This week on Rinkside Rundown, we welcome back friend of the show, Tristan Thompson. When we first spoke back on Episode 10 , she was just getting ready to step onto campus for her freshman year at Northeastern University. Now, she is preparing for a brand new chapter with St. Cloud State University. In this conversation, Tristan opens up about the realities of dealing with early career injuries, how stepping away from the ice tested her mental perspective, and what it took to get her game back on track. We also dive into her decision to enter the transfer portal, what she found in St. Cloud…
S1 · E141 · 17 Sep 2026 · 44 min
From Backyard Rinks to Becoming Pro-Ready with Boston University's Sydney Healey
This week on Rinkside Rundown, I’m joined by Boston University standout Sydney Healey. Her story starts on backyard rinks and how those moments playing sports with her family turned into a obsession with the game, how she learned to lead through the ups and downs of junior hockey, and why she chose Boston University to build her foundation. Sydney also opens up about the mental and physical shift required to get ready for the professional level, why the PWHL changes everything for players coming up today, and how she maintains a team-first mentality even when the pressure to succeed rises.…
S1 · E140 · 10 Sep 2026 · 38 min
How Penn State's Katie DeSa is Ready to Take the PWHL by Storm
What does it actually take to stand alone in the crease when the pressure is at its highest? This week on Rinkside Rundown, I’m joined by Penn State goaltender and Vancouver Goldeneyes draft pick Katie DeSa, where she opens up about the journey that brought her from falling in love with the game during the 2010 Olympics to anchoring the Nittany Lions' historic run. During our conversation, Katie talks about the importance of keeping things fun when the stakes are massive, the mental resilience required to bounce back, and how she unwinds away from the rink through fly fishing and music. This…
S1 · E139 · 3 Sep 2026 · 37 min
Why India McDadi is Betting on Herself for the Next Level
Building a foundation beyond the ice. This week on Rinkside Rundown, I’m joined by Brown University captain India McDadi. Instead of just tracing her collegiate steps in the ECAC, we explore how her athletic roots outside the rink ultimately shaped her competitive edge and leadership style. India opens up about growing up as a multi-sport athlete in Mississauga. We discuss how her early success in baseball taught her unique lessons in confidence, as well as the pivotal moment she decided to focus entirely on hockey. We also talk about her evolution as a leader at Brown, the realities of…
S1 · E138 · 27 Aug 2026 · 28 min
From Little Caesars to PWHL Detroit: Casey Borgiel’s Full-Circle Hockey Story
When a career comes full circle. This week on Rinkside Rundown, I’m joined by Colgate University graduate and PWHL Detroit draft pick Casey Borgiel. We trace her path from youth hockey with Little Caesars through her collegiate stops at Holy Cross and Colgate, and what she discovered about herself both on and off the ice along the way. Casey opens up about the impact of team culture and leadership, the reality of transitioning from junior to NCAA Division I, and how mental resilience and sports psychology helped her handle pressure at every level. We also dig into how she’s preparing for the…
S1 · E137 · 20 Aug 2026 · 35 min
Preparing For The PWHL With Clarkson’s Megan McKay
What does a journey look like from small town Indiana to the pros? This week on Rinkside Rundown, I catch up with friend of the show Megan McKay, defender and graduate of Clarkson University, who grew up in Zionsville, Indiana and is now preparing for a professional career in the PWHL. Since Megan last appeared back on Episode 96 of the show ( https://youtu.be/q6yg3V-ip9w ), she wrapped up her collegiate career and declared for the PWHL Draft. In this episode, she shares the lessons she learned and growth she achieved while at Clarkson University, and how it’s helped prepare her for the next…
S1 · E136 · 13 Aug 2026 · 40 min
Small-Town Roots, Professional Dreams: Maddy Christian on Hockey, Community, and Penn State
Community, leadership, and resilience. Three words to describe the journey of forward Maddy Christian, who joins me this week on Rinkside Rundown to share her inspiring hockey story. Maddy talks about the importance of community back home in Elk River, Minnesota and how they helped shape her into the player she is on the ice and the person she is away from it. She also reflects on the growth she went through in becoming part of the leadership group at Penn State University and what it took to pursue her dreams of playing alongside the best in the world. This conversation was recorded before…
S1 · E134 · 30 Jul 2026 · 34 min
Sara Stewart on Community, Leadership and Inspiring the Next Generation of East Coast Hockey Players
Antigonish, Nova Scotia native Sara Stewart joins me this week on Rinkside Rundown to talk about her early love of hockey, the impact of community and family on her career, her growth and development at Colgate University, and what it means to be representing the East Coast for her and the next generation of female hockey players. This conversation took place prior to the 2026 PWHL Draft, where Sara also shares what it would mean to hear her name called at the draft and to embark on a career in the best league in the world. Since we spoke, Sara has signed her first professional contract,…
S1 · E133 · 23 Jul 2026 · 32 min
Zoe Uens on Family, Growth at Quinnipiac and Her Journey to the PWHL
This week on Rinkside Rundown, I sit down with Belleville, Ontario native Zoe Uens. Zoe walks me through how her love of hockey started from watching her dad and brother play, why playing multiple sports mattered for her development, and what it was like growing up in Belleville. We talk about her junior career with the Kingston Ice Wolves, her decision to commit to Quinnipiac, and the growth she went through over four years as a Bobcat. Since we recorded this conversation, Zoe was drafted in the third round, 36th overall, by the Montreal Victoire. Follow Zoe’s food journey on Instagram:…
S1 · E132 · 16 Jul 2026 · 30 min
Alex Therien on Growing Up in Ottawa, Why Pressure Is a Privilege, and the Importance of the PWHL
Alex Therien went from playing her junior career in her hometown to representing Canada on the international stage to beginning an NCAA career with the University of New Hampshire, and this week, she joins me on Rinkside Rundown. We talk about the value of being a multi-sport athlete, Alex’s leadership experiences, and what it means to have a professional women's hockey team, the Ottawa Charge, playing in her hometown. Since our conversation, Alex has begun a new chapter with St. Lawrence University.
S1 · E131 · 9 Jul 2026 · 40 min
Chloe Glass on the Gaps in Women's Hockey and Founding the Girls and Women's Hockey Academy
Chloe Glass, founder of the Girls and Women's Hockey Academy, joins me this week on Rinkside Rundown to discuss her transition from a college athlete and professional player in Germany to a leading advocate for athlete development, both on and off the ice. Chloe shares her journey from a young hockey player inspired by her father to a college athlete and eventually a coach, and the lessons learned along the way. We dive into how her academy supports young players by focusing on personalized physical wellness, psychological training, and proactive health habits to help keep athletes on the…
S1 · E130 · 2 Jul 2026 · 38 min
Margot Page on Olympic Lessons, Transitioning from Player to Coach, and the Growth of Women's Hockey
Margot Page has seen the women’s game from every angle, first as an elite athlete on the world stage and now as the head coach of the Brock University Badgers. In this week’s episode of Rinkside Rundown, we dive into her transition from the ice to the bench and her perspective on the growth of women’s hockey, both in Canada and in the PWHL. In this episode, we explore: Her journey from collegiate and international competition to elite coaching. The critical role of multi-sport participation for developing well-rounded athletes. Reflections on her time competing at the World Championships and…
S1 · E129 · 25 Jun 2026 · 45 min
Dr. Katie Peterson on Mental Health in Sports and the Unique Pressure Females Face
This week on Rinkside Rundown, I sit down with Dr. Katie Peterson, a licensed sports psychologist at Achieve Performance Psychology and two-time NCAA champion, as we discuss the mental side of sports and its impact on performance, growth and development. Dr. Katie Peterson shares her own journey through hockey, including championship success, as well as what inspired her to swap the locker room for the doctor’s office when her playing days came to an end. Join us for a really interesting conversation where you’ll also learn practical tools for managing stress in your own life, and just how…
S1 · E128 · 18 Jun 2026 · 31 min
Michelle Pasiechnyk on Community Support, Rediscovering Her Passion, and a Journey to the Pros
Michelle Pasiechnyk grew up in Ottawa playing mini sticks and falling in love with hockey before going on to a collegiate career that saw her take home NCAA Goaltender of the Year. On this episode of Rinkside Rundown, I sit down with the Ottawa native to discuss a career defined by success on the ice, what it meant to step away from the game and the perspective she learned from doing so. With the 2026 PWHL Draft on the horizon, Michelle also shares what it would mean to hear her name called, and the importance of creating a true pathway for the next generation of girls in hockey. Discover…
S1 · E127 · 11 Jun 2026 · 35 min
Jamie Nelson on Her Minnesota Roots, Raising The Bar, and an Unwavering Pursuit of a Pro Career
This week, I'm joined by University of Minnesota forward Jamie Nelson, as we discuss her early days growing up in Andover, Minnesota where she was put in skates at three years old, to how important it was to remain close to home and the growth and development that led to a career year in 2025-26. With the PWHL Draft around the corner, we also discuss the anticipation Jamie feels ahead of this next chapter of her career, and how important it is to her to recognize the players who paved the way for her to have this moment. Some of the key topics we cover include: Jamie Nelson's early hockey…
S1 · E126 · 4 Jun 2026 · 35 min
Viivi Vainikka on Staying Grounded, Representing Finland, and the Pursuit of the PWHL
This week on the show, I'm joined by Viivi Vainikka, Finnish national team member and forward with Brynäs IF of the SDHL, as she shares her journey from Espoo, Finland, where she started playing the game as a way to spend time with friends to becoming a star in the Swedish league. Viivi talks about how her competitive nature helped her to discover a passion for hockey, how that passion drove her to make the leap to Naisten Liiga, the top league in Finland, when she was only 15 years old, and how she's continued to see success at every step of the way, including internationally. We also…
S1 · E125 · 28 May 2026 · 33 min
Charlotte Sonntag on Family, Finding Home at Holy Cross, and Carving Her Path To The Pros
On this week's episode of Rinkside Rundown, I'm joined by College of Holy Cross standout forward Charlotte Sonntag as we skate our way through her journey from Sun Valley, Idaho, through the Shattuck St Mary's organization to her record-setting collegiate career with Holy Cross. We talk about the important lessons Charlotte learned during her junior career and how they helped set her up for a collegiate career that saw her leave a lasting legacy on the ice while successfully balancing an academic career away from it. We also discuss Charlotte's excitement for the upcoming PWHL Draft and the…
S1 · E124 · 21 May 2026 · 31 min
Yale University's Carina DiAntonio on Childhood Dreams, Leadership, and Turning Pro in the PWHL
This week on Rinkside Rundown, I'm joined by forward Carina DiAntonio, captain at Yale University, to discover more about her journey from the outdoor rinks in Mississauga, ON, where she was an active kid who wanted to be just like her sister and play hockey, to becoming captain at Yale, and preparing for the upcoming PWHL Draft. We talk about the leadership experience she gained during her junior career with the Brampton Jr Canadettes, the lessons she's learned through her four years at Yale University, and what it would mean to have the opportunity to play professionally in the PWHL. This…
S1 · E123 · 14 May 2026 · 39 min
Thea Johansson on Sweden, NCAA hockey, and the PWHL Draft
Thea Johansson, a forward at the University of Minnesota Duluth, joins Rinkside Rundown to talk about her path from Sweden to NCAA hockey and now toward the 2026 PWHL Draft. Read and subscribe at www.rinksiderundown.ca . Growing up in a competitive athletic family in Sweden, Thea was surrounded by sport and learned early how to train, compete, and handle pressure while still enjoying the game. She walks through her early years in the SDHL, what it meant to leave home for Mercyhurst University, and how transferring to Minnesota Duluth challenged her and helped her grow as both a player and a…
S1 · E122 · 7 May 2026 · 30 min
Meg Simon: Middlebury’s Hockey Humanitarian
Visit Meg's Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/madebymegsimon14 Middlebury College forward and 2026 Hockey Humanitarian Award winner Meg Simon joins Rinkside Rundown to share how a life spent around the game shaped who she is on and off the ice. From moving more than 50 times for her dad’s pro hockey career and growing up in NHL locker rooms, to coming to Middlebury as a golfer and betting on herself to join the women’s hockey team, Meg’s path has been anything but typical. We talk about the team culture she fell in love with, the community work inspired by watching her parents use their…
S1 · E121 · 30 Apr 2026 · 31 min
Alyssa Regalado: Cornell University, Growth, and the Road to the 2026 PWHL Draft
Friend of the show Alyssa Regalado returns to the show for the first time since Episode 35, and shares how Cornell University has helped to prepare her for the next chapter of her hockey career with the upcoming 2026 PWHL Draft. Alyssa shares more about the mental side of the game, how she's grown as a leader, and the lessons she's learned through the ups and downs of collegiate hockey. We also discuss what it would mean to Alyssa to see her professional dreams become a reality with the PWHL Draft on the horizon. Check out Episode 35 here and discover Alyssa's origin story:…
S1 · E120 · 23 Apr 2026 · 32 min
Issy Wunder: Princeton Leadership, Neuroscience, and the PWHL Draft
Issy Wunder is the top-ranked Canadian prospect heading into the 2026 PWHL Draft, but her journey to the professional ranks began long before the league’s inception. From the backyard rink her mother built in Toronto to her tenure as captain of the Princeton Tigers, Issy has defined her career through a balance of elite athletic performance and strong academics. In this episode, we move beyond the scoresheet to explore the person behind the "C." A neuroscience and psychology student at Princeton, Issy explains how understanding the brain allows her to "reframe" the immense pressure of the…
S1 · E119 · 16 Apr 2026 · 28 min
Proving Yourself Right: Alaina Giampietro on the Robert Morris University Legacy
"I didn't prove anyone wrong. I proved myself wrong." Alaina Giampietro joined Robert Morris University in 2023 as part of a newly reinstated program, but her journey in the game started much earlier at her grandfather's local rink in Ohio. Now, as the captain of the Colonials, she is balancing the weight of Division I hockey with the responsibility of building a team culture from the ground up. On Episode 119 of Rinkside Rundown, Alaina shares: The Ohio Origins: How early mornings skating with her grandfather laid the foundation for her career. The Rebuild Reality: What it actually takes to…
S1 · E118 · 9 Apr 2026 · 33 min
PWHL Draft Prospect Stephanie Bourque on Leadership, Consistency and Growth
Episode 118 of Rinkside Rundown continues the “Road to the PWHL Draft” series with Union College defender and captain Stephanie Bourque. A native of Moncton, New Brunswick, Bourque has built a standout NCAA career defined by consistency, durability, and production. She became Union’s all-time leader in points and assists among defenders and set an ironwoman streak, appearing in over 140 consecutive games. This season, she was also among the most utilized players in NCAA women’s hockey, averaging more than 28 minutes per game. In this episode, Bourque reflects on her journey through junior…
S1 · E117 · 2 Apr 2026 · 31 min
Tory Mariano on Family, the Road to Northeastern, and Why She's Ready for the PWHL Draft
Tory Mariano grew up in a household where sport was everything. Her dad took her to events across every discipline imaginable, and where she started in tee-ball, competed in multiple sports, and carries all of that athletic foundation into the way she reads the game today. And it was her grandfather, a professional tennis player and someone she never got to meet, who has been a role model and North Star through it all. "I want to be as good as him," she said. That drive led her to Northeastern, where she found the right coaching staff and the right environment to help push her to become the…
S1 · E116 · 26 Mar 2026 · 31 min
Béatrice Bilodeau on Growing Up in Quebec Hockey, Choosing Ottawa, and Wearing the 'C'
Some players choose a program for the ranking. Béatrice Bilodeau chose Ottawa because it felt like home. The Gee-Gees captain grew up in Quebec's hockey culture, played on boys' teams until she was 12, and developed through one of the province's most competitive junior pathways before making a deliberate decision to come to uOttawa. Not for the profile. For the fit. In this episode, we get into what shaped her as a player, what leadership looks like from the inside, and how she carries that same commitment into her community work with youth programs, mentorship, and seniors in long-term…
S1 · E115 · 19 Mar 2026 · 32 min
Molly Jordan on Minnesota, Team USA, and Chasing the Biggest Stage in Hockey
Molly Jordan is a defender at the University of Minnesota and one of the most compelling young players in the NCAA women's game. Mature, humble, and deeply passionate about the sport and her community, the native of Berlin, Connecticut brings a perspective that goes well beyond the ice. In Episode 115 of Rinkside Rundown, Molly talks about what it has been like to grow as a player and a person at one of the most competitive programs in college hockey, what it means to represent the United States on the international stage, and why she believes the American program is on a different level…
S1 · E114 · 12 Mar 2026 · 29 min
Haley Box on Growing Up in Wyoming, Team USA, and the Road to Wisconsin
Wyoming isn't exactly a hotbed for women's hockey, but for Haley Box, it's where the love for the game started. The Etobicoke Dolphins forward and incoming University of Wisconsin Badger joins Rinkside Rundown to talk about the journey that brought her from Cheyenne to one of the most storied programs in the sport. Haley reflects on what it meant to represent Team USA, the Nashville camp that shifted the trajectory of her career, and the role the Etobicoke Dolphins have played in her development. She also opens up about the mental side of the game and what the continued rise of the PWHL…

About Rinkside Rundown

Rinkside Rundown is a English sport podcast from Chris Sinclair. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Chris Sinclair
Language: English
Category: Sport
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 34 min
Latest episode: 8 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1721628785
Rights: 2026 Chris Sinclair

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