Episodes

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...

Season 2 opens with a true hockey warrior as Selmar Odelein—former Edmonton Oilers, Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers defenceman—joins the show. Born in Quill Lake, Saskatchewan, Selmar starred in junior hockey, winning World Junior gold and silver with Canada, and was a 1st-round pick of the Edmonton Oilers in 1984. Injuries limited his NHL career, but he spent significant time in the AHL, playing alongside future UK teammates Ron Shudra and Ivan Matulik. After his Oilers contract, Sel...