Episodes

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. Alongside his brother Ian, he became the backbone of the Wasps’ legendary “Big Blue Machine”, winning multiple League titles, Wembley Playoff Championships and Norwich Union Cups during the 1980s. In 1988, the ...

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 Alex Dampier, helping the club complete a historic Grand Slam—winning the League, Benson & Hedges Cup and Wembley Playoffs. In 1999, Tony returned north with the Ayr Scottish Eagles, scoring 98 points in 8...

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 by the Edmonton Oilers. After the Racers folded in 1995, he joined a star-studded Sheffield Steelers side that completed a famous Grand Slam—League, Benson & Hedges Cup and Wembley Playoffs. He later retu...

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 alumni game that showcased the global hockey community’s support. His UK chapter began with the Solihull Barons (1983–85) under Gary Newbon, alongside Barry Skrudland and Chuck Taylor, recalling life wit...

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 the Durham junior system, Anthony made his senior Wasps debut at 16 in the 1988–89 season, crediting captain Glynn “Benjy” Hall for shaping his discipline and the Wasps’ never-quit mentality. The 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 administrator. Raised in New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen, Charlie grew up playing roller hockey before moving to the UK at just 15 years old. Unaware that ice hockey even existed in Britain, he earned a tri...

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 UK coach uncovered Scott’s stolen résumé and tracked him down. Three days later, Scott arrived in the UK. Thrown straight into action with the Whitley Warriors, Scott landed on a Sunday morning and scor...

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 Fife Flyers in front of 2,000 fans—his first and only appearance for the club. He went on to develop with the Kirkcaldy Kestrels before turning down a Flyers contract to join Ayr Bruins, learning under ...

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 the 1988–89 season, only two years after first taking up the game. Despite early doubts about starting too late, he proved the critics wrong, becoming a mainstay of British hockey and a fan favourite wher...

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 Calgary Flames organisation before a surprise move to the UK with Solihull Barons in 1991—an eye-opening spell cut short by financial issues. Back in North America, he played with the Cape Breton Oilers and m...

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 a golden period for local talent at the Nottingham Ice Stadium . In 1994 , his dream came true when head coach Mike Blaisdell asked him to step up as Panthers back-up goalie. Paul recalls the pride — ...

In this extended, bonus 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 chance at a tiny local rink when the Streatham juniors were forced to train there during renovations. That moment sparked a career that saw him progress through the Streatham junior system bef...

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 chance at a tiny local rink when the Streatham juniors were forced to train there during renovations. That moment sparked a career that saw him progress through the Streatham junior system before returning ho...

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 became a fan favourite. He starred in the 1987 Wembley Playoff Finals, scoring a hat trick in the semi-final against Fife Flyers before lifting the Championship with a win over Murrayfield Racers. Despite ...

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 NHL in 1983, Garry remained with the Edmonton Oilers organisation in coaching and media roles before becoming involved in placing players with European clubs. That role led to a call from Dundee Rockets o...

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 Frank Mahovlich in Detroit. We explore the reasons behind his trade from the Detroit Red Wings to the St Louis Blues, a move that saw Garry become a franchise superstar. Across an incredible NHL career, G...

In this extended bonus 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 with stories you won’t hear anywhere else. As a 21-year-old pro, he found himself playing in places like Reno, Nevada and El Paso, Texas , before a chance conversation at a North Americ...

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 through the juniors and making his senior debut for the Racers, before naming Alex Dampier as the biggest influence on his career. Under Dampier, Paul enjoyed league and Autumn Cup success, Wembley Playof...

Former Solihull Blaze, Nottingham Panthers, Sheffield Steelers, Coventry Blaze and Milton Keynes Lightning defenceman Steve Carpenter joins the show to reflect on a UK career that was meant to last one season, but stretched into nine unforgettable years. Arriving from North America to join Solihull Blaze, Steve recalls a talented but financially troubled side under Paul Thompson, where unpaid wages even led to fan bucket collections. He then enjoyed three successful seasons with Nottingham Panth...

In this extended edition Sheffield Steelers icon Tommy “The Duke” Plommer joins the show to revisit an eight-year spell at the heart of the club’s most explosive and successful era—when Sheffield became the team everyone loved to hate. Born in Canada to Scottish parents, Tommy returned to the UK in 1991 after securing dual nationality, switching from professional football with Ayr United back to hockey with the Ayr Raiders. A year later, with Ayr facing collapse, a call from Steelers GM Dave Sim...

Former Ayr Bruins, Fife Flyers, Murrayfield Racers and Trafford Metros forward Frank Morris joins the show to reflect on a UK career that began with one of British hockey’s most dramatic arrivals. After five standout years with the Concordia Stingers—earning Hall of Fame induction—Frank signed with the Winnipeg Jets before opting for Europe. His first UK attempt ended in chaos when visa issues saw him deported on arrival, only to return a month later, legally, to join Ayr Bruins. Frank spent fou...

Former Ayr Bruins, Whitley Warriors, Medway Bears and Solihull Barons forward Luc Chabot joins the show to reflect on a remarkable 28-year UK hockey journey as a player, player-coach and coach. Luc’s UK career began briefly with Ayr Bruins, before he returned as a replacement import with Whitley Warriors, teaming up with Scott Morrison and future NHL coach Mike Babcock to finish league runners-up and reach Whitley’s first Wembley Playoff Finals Weekend. He went on to spend three seasons with Med...

Sheffield Steelers icon Tommy “The Duke” Plommer joins the show to revisit an eight-year spell at the heart of the club’s most explosive and successful era—when Sheffield became the team everyone loved to hate. Born in Canada to Scottish parents, Tommy returned to the UK in 1991 after securing dual nationality, switching from professional football with Ayr United back to hockey with the Ayr Raiders. A year later, with Ayr facing collapse, a call from Steelers GM Dave Simms changed everything—wha...

This episode looks back on a truly unique hockey career that spanned continents, leagues and eras. From learning the game in Germany, New Brunswick and Winnipeg, to the chaotic early days of pro hockey in the South West Hockey League, it’s packed with stories rarely told. A chance conversation at a North American Indian hockey tournament brought him back to the country of his birth and into UK hockey. What followed was an extraordinary journey that began with the Sunderland Crowtree Chiefs, ende...