Episodes
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Trent Kaese Podcast Interview
In this episode, Ken is joined by former Buffalo Sabres draft pick Trent Casey, a familiar name to UK fans from his time with the Peterborough Pirates, Milton Keynes Kings, and later Blackburn. Trent looks back to his early days growing up in Nanaimo, British Columbia, juggling soccer and hockey...
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Kenny Macdonald Podcast Interview
Ken is joined by Kenny Macdonald — one of British hockey's most colourful 1980s characters and a true product of Scottish ice sports royalty. The son of former Scottish ice skating champion Jill Patterson, Kenny was on skates by the age of three, growing up in Aviemore's winter-sports playground...
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Wayne Crawford Podcast Interview
Wayne Crawford, better known as "Reggie", joins Ken Abbott to relive a 13-season UK career full of big characters, passionate fans, and unforgettable moments. From junior hockey at Maple Leaf Gardens, being drafted by the Detroit Red Wings (1980), and an agonising near-miss NHL debut, Wayne...
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Shayne McCosh Podcast Interview
Former Bracknell Bees and Sheffield Steelers defenceman Shane McCosh joins the show to share remarkable behind-the-scenes stories from his career in UK hockey. From loaning a team owner £25,000 to help cover player wages, to needing 12 stitches on a road trip before even stepping off the team...
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Chris Norton Podcast Interview
Canadian-born defenceman Chris Norton is the latest Old Time Hockey UK guest, sharing stories from a six-year UK hockey journey that began after an NHL-drafted career spent mainly in the AHL and IHL. A chance conversation in Phoenix — helped by family ties to Manchester — led to his first UK move...
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Gary Newbon Podcast Interview
In this episode, Ken Abbott is joined by Gary Newbon—legendary broadcaster, journalist, and former Solihull Barons owner, best known to viewers from Central TV and Sky Sports. Gary traces his broadcasting career from Westward TV to ATV, becoming a leading Midlands sports reporter before rising to...
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David Simms Podcast Interview Part 2
In Part 2 of our Series 5 interview, David Simms continues his incredible Sheffield Steelers story. A key figure in the club's formation, David reflects on 30 years of dedication — still making the 180-mile round trip from Solihull to Sheffield Arena to this day. A born storyteller, David…
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David Simms Podcast Interview Part 1
In Part 1 of our Series 5 interview, David Simms recounts how a chance visit to an ice rink in the mid-1980s sparked a lifelong love affair with ice hockey. From discovering the sport at Solihull Barons, David rose from fan to committee member and team manager before finding himself at the heart…
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Jamie Crapper Podcast Interview
This episode features former Durham Wasps, Nottingham Panthers, Solihull Barons, Bracknell Bees and Great Britain goal-scoring star Jamie Crapper. Jamie charts an extraordinary UK hockey journey — from prolific import with the Durham Wasps, league and cup winner, to key roles at Nottingham,...
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Moray Hanson Podcast Interview
Today's hockey hero is former Murrayfield Racers, Fife Flyers and Dumfries Border Vikings netminder Moray Hanson — one of British ice hockey's true legends. Moray was Great Britain's first-choice goalie at the 1994 World Cup Pool A Championships, before going on to achieve something no other Brit...
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Andre Malo Podcast Inerview
Today's hockey hero from the past is André Malo, one of the most respected defencemen of his era and a true servant of British ice hockey. Arriving from Canada in 1986, André went on to enjoy a remarkable 15-season UK career, icing for the Ayr Bruins, Cleveland Bombers, Nottingham Panthers,...
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Ed Courtenay Podcast Interview
Today's Episode features former NHL forward and SuperLeague star Ed Courtenay, whose career took him from the bright lights of the NHL to some of the biggest stages in UK ice hockey. Born in Montreal, Ed's NHL journey began in unusual fashion when the Minnesota North Stars discovered him by…
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Jim Mollard Podcast Interview
In this episode Ken chat with Jim Mollard, a hard-nosed Canadian forward from Stonewall, Manitoba, whose UK hockey career produced some of the most dramatic moments of the late 1980s and early '90s. Before arriving in Edinburgh, Jim had spent two seasons in the Edmonton Oilers farm system....
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Dave Whistle Podcast Interview
This Episode features one of the most successful coaches in UK ice hockey history — Dave Whistle. Over a 16-season UK career, Dave spent seven seasons as a player and nine as a head coach, leading both the Bracknell Bees and the Belfast Giants to SuperLeague League Championships, and guiding the...
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Barry Nieckar Podcast Interview
Former London Knights and Nottingham Panthers enforcer Barry Nieckar joins the show to reflect on a career built on toughness, resilience and respect. A veteran of the AHL, IHL and ECHL, Barry also earned eight NHL appearances with the Hartford Whalers, Calgary Flames and Anaheim Mighty Ducks.…
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Tim Cranston Podcast Interview - Part 2
Tim Cranston — Part Two Part Two picks up Tim Cranston's story at the very top of UK ice hockey. In 1993, Alex Dampier invited Tim to join the Sheffield Steelers, beginning a five-season spell that helped redefine the British game. Balancing hockey with a law degree at York University, Tim became…
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Tim Cranston Podcast Interview - Part 1
The Early Years Episode S4E04 explores the early hockey journey of Tim Cranston—former Fife Flyers, Cleveland Bombers, Durham Wasps, Sheffield Steelers and Edinburgh Capitals forward, and a 39-cap Great Britain international. Tim reflects on his development in Canada before choosing the European...
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Doug Smail Podcast Interview
Former Winnipeg Jets forward Doug Smail joins the show to reflect on a remarkable career that spanned 13 NHL seasons before an unexpected and memorable move to UK ice hockey. Undrafted in 1980 after three seasons at the University of North Dakota, Doug signed as a free agent with Winnipeg and…
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Jeff Hadden Podcast Interview
Episode two of Series 4 features Nottingham Panthers legend Greg Hadden, one of the club's most prolific goal scorers. Greg spent seven seasons in Nottingham, playing 377 games and scoring 167 goals, cementing his place in Panthers history. Greg opens with an update on recent shoulder surgery,...
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Peter "Jonker" Johnson Podcast Interview
Series 4 opens with a true giant of British ice hockey, Peter "Jonker" Johnson—player, coach, mentor and innovator whose influence spanned five decades. Introduced to the game at Durham Ice Rink aged 10, Jonker rose through the junior ranks and debuted for the Durham Wasps at just 16. He reflects...
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Sheep on the Bus - Bonus Episode
The Midnight Sheep Incident A late-night pit stop somewhere in the middle of nowhere turned legendary when a teammate spotted a sheep and admitted he'd never seen one up close. Moments later, a player somehow found himself in a dark field, catching a sheep and carrying it back to the team bus—to...
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John Kidd Podcast Episode
Former Ayr Bruins, Peterborough Pirates and Paisley Pirates forward John Kidd joins the show to reflect on a career defined by passion, perseverance and British hockey's changing landscape. John began on Ayr's tiny Limekiln Road curling rink, rising through the Academy and making his senior debut...
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Danny Meyers - Bonus Episode
The Stories Hockey Players Don't Tell — Bonus Episode (Danny Meyers) In this bonus episode, Danny Meyers offers a rare and honest look behind the curtain of professional ice hockey — the stories players don't usually share while they're still playing. Danny explains why modern interviews are...
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Stephen Cooper Podcast Interview - Part 2
Part Two follows the later career of Stephen Cooper, widely regarded as one of the greatest British defencemen, covering spells with Manchester Storm, Newcastle Riverkings, Nottingham Panthers, Hull Thunder and Coventry Blaze. Stephen joined Manchester Storm in 1997 after talks with Cardiff...
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Stephen Cooper Podcast Interview - Part 1
Part One explores the early and most dominant years of Stephen Cooper, former Durham Wasps and Cardiff Devils defenceman and widely regarded as the greatest British defenceman of all time. Stephen debuted with Durham Wasps in 1980–81, quickly earning Rookie of the Year and GB U18 honours.…
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Tony Hand Podcast Interview - Part 2
Part Two of the Tony Hand interview explores the later stages of his legendary career, spanning Sheffield Steelers, Ayr Scottish Eagles, and a hugely successful transition into player-coach. After the folding of Edinburgh Racers in 1995, Tony joined a star-studded Sheffield Steelers side under…
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Tony Hand Podcast Interview - Part 1
Episode 50 is a landmark moment for Old Time Hockey UK, and the guest could only be Tony Hand—widely regarded as the greatest British-born player of all time. Tony spent 14 seasons with the Murrayfield Racers before making history in 1985 as the first UK-born player drafted to the NHL, selected…
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Mark Budz Podcast Interview
Canadian forward Mark Budz joins the show to reflect on a unique career that combined professional ice hockey and golf—a rare dual-sport journey. Mark looks back on three junior seasons with the Humboldt Broncos, sharing his emotional response to the 2018 bus tragedy and his return for a Broncos...
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Anthony Payne Podcast Interview
Former Durham Wasps Grand Slam–winning forward Anthony Payne joins the show to reflect on a career rooted deeply in British ice hockey. The great-grandson of legendary rink builder "Icy" Smith, and raised around the Riverside Rink, hockey was part of Anthony's life from day one. Rising through…
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Charlie Colon Podcast Interview
In this episode, I'm joined by former London Phoenix Flyers, Richmond Flyers, Southampton Vikings, Cleveland Bombers and Slough Jets netminder Charlie Colon, whose 20-year career made him one of the most recognisable goalies of British hockey's lower divisions and a highly successful coach and...
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Scott Morrison Podcast Interview
Former Canadian forward Scott Morrison joins the show to tell one of the most extraordinary stories in UK ice hockey history. At just 22, Scott had won the Allan Cup, led the playoffs in scoring and been named MVP—before retiring and taking a full-time job in management. Everything changed when a...
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Scott O'Connor Podcast Interview
Former Fife Flyers, Ayr Bruins, Peterborough Pirates, Milton Keynes Kings and Nottingham Panthers netminder Scott O'Connor joins the show to reflect on a career that began with one of British hockey's most remarkable debuts. At just 14 years old, Scott was called up to play a full senior game for...
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Nicky Chinn Podcast Interview
Nicky Chinn — Longevity, Loyalty & Life in the Trenches In this episode, Ken sits down with Nicky Chinn, a true iron man of British ice hockey whose career spans nearly three decades—and counting. A product of the Cardiff Devils junior system, Nicky made his senior debut at just 16 years old in…
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Wayne Cowley Podcast Interview
Former Edmonton Oilers, Solihull Barons, Sheffield Steelers and Newcastle Cobras netminder Wayne Cowley joins the show to reflect on a career spanning the NHL, British hockey's golden era, and life beyond the crease. Born in Scarborough, Ontario to British parents, Wayne turned pro with the…
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Paul Blahyj Podcast Interview
In the final episode of Season 2, I'm joined by former Nottingham Panthers back-up netminder Paul Blahyj (pronounced Bly), who reflects on a short but unforgettable top-level hockey journey. Paul spent 12 years developing in the Nottingham junior system with the Tigers, Cougars and Jaguars during…
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Rob Breskal Interview Extended Edition - Bonus Edition
In this extended episode, I'm joined by former Southampton Vikings, Dundee Rockets, Medway Bears and Bracknell Bees defenceman Rob Breskal, whose hockey journey began in the most unlikely of places. Born in Brighton, a city with rich hockey history but no proper ice rink, Rob discovered the sport...
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Rob Breskal Podcast Interview
In this episode, I'm joined by former Southampton Vikings, Dundee Rockets, Medway Bears and Bracknell Bees defenceman Rob Breskal, whose hockey journey began in the most unlikely of places. Born in Brighton, a city with rich hockey history but no proper ice rink, Rob discovered the sport by…
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Mario Belanger Podcast Interview
Former Durham Wasps, Basingstoke Beavers, Nottingham Panthers and Telford Tigers forward Mario Belanger joins the show to reflect on a UK career filled with goals, controversy and unforgettable moments. Arriving in the UK in February 1987 as a replacement import for Durham Wasps, Mario quickly...
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Garry Unger Podcast Interview - Part 2
For the first time since launching the podcast in 2014, this interview was split into two parts — a reflection of the truly remarkable career of Garry Unger. With over three hours of recorded content, Part 2 focuses on Garry's influential Heineken League years in the UK. After retiring from the…
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Garry Unger Podcast Interview - Part 1
For the first time since launching the podcast, this interview is split into two parts — a reflection of the extraordinary career of Garry Unger. Part 1 focuses on his legendary NHL years. Garry discusses his first NHL game and the surreal experience of lining up alongside icons Gordie Howe and...
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Kel Land Podcast Extended Edition - Bonus Episode
In this episode, we look back on a remarkable career that spanned continents, leagues and eras of the game. From early development years learning hockey in Germany, New Brunswick and Winnipeg, to the wild early days of professional hockey in the South West Hockey League, this interview is packed...
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Paul Hand Podcast Interview
Former Murrayfield Racers, Solihull Barons, Peterborough Pirates, Fife Flyers, Paisley Pirates and Great Britain defenceman Paul Hand joins the show to reflect on a career forged in Edinburgh's hockey culture and intense cross-border rivalries. Paul recalls growing up around Murrayfield, rising...