Episodes

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 at just 17 in 1980–81. He recalls the excitement of Glen Henderson’s takeover, the arrival of Don Edwards, and playing under Rocky Saganiuk, whom he rates among the very best to come to the UK. The stan...

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 stalled, enjoying two strong seasons and a league runners-up finish before a contract collapse forced a move back north with Newcastle Riverkings, where the season proved challenging. A move to Nottingham Pan...

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...