Jan. 26, 2018

Scott O'Connor Podcast Interview

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 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 Rocky Saganiuk and sharing duties with John “Bernie” McCrone.

Following Saganiuk south, Scott became first-choice netminder with the Peterborough Pirates, helping them to a third-place league finish and a Wembley Playoff Final Weekend, including a famous semi-final win over Cardiff Devils. Further moves took him to Milton Keynes Kings, earning promotion, and then Nottingham Panthers, where he reached both Wembley and Benson & Hedges Cup Finals.

The arrival of the SuperLeague and unlimited imports curtailed his opportunities, and a final return to Peterborough ended abruptly in 1998. Scott retired at just 28, closing the career of a hugely talented British netminder whose best years were cut short by a changing era in the game.