OldTimeHockeyUK Podcast

Kel Land Interview. Kel or Lando, as most people know him, was born in Sevenoaks in Kent, the product of a British mother and a three quarters North American Indian father serving in the Canadian forces. Kel tells of his formative years, learning the game, initially in Germany,  back home in New Brunswick, Canada and...

The post Kelvin Land Podcast Interview – Episode S2E02 appeared first on Old Time Hockey UK.

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, ended with the Paisley Pirates, and included 10 more UK clubs along the way.

He speaks candidly about battles with the BIHA over import status, why he never slept on team buses, the personal cost of life in hockey, and his unfiltered views on the modern game.

So much was covered that the interview was cut from 120 minutes to under 50—and for the first time ever, the episode also includes a bloopers section guaranteed to raise a smile.

Selmar Odelein Interview. Season 2 faces off with a true legend as I speak with former Edmonton Oilers, Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers D-Man Selmar Odelein. NHL Years The eldest of three professional Ice hockey playing brothers from Quill Lake, Saskatchewan. Selmar had a successful junior career, including winning Gold and Silver medals for Canada...

The post Selmar Odelein Podcast Interview – Episode S2E01 appeared first on Old Time Hockey UK.

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, Selmar played 72 games with Team Canada, then spent two seasons in Austria.

His UK chapter began with the Nottingham Panthers, signed by Alex Dampier, helping the club to a third-place league finish and Wembley Playoff semi-finals. He later crossed the rivalry divide to join Sheffield Steelers, but recurring injuries—especially to his back—cut his time short. Despite featuring in the famous 8–0 Wembley semi-final win over Nottingham, he was unable to play in the final, marking an emotional end to his career.

Now back on the family farm in Saskatchewan, Selmar reflects on the physical toll of hockey, balanced by the lifelong friendships and memories the game gave him.

In today's show I speak with former Aviemore Blackhawks, Cardiff Devils, Ayr Raiders and Swindon Wildcats coach Brian Kanewischer.

Brian talks about travelling over 4,000 miles from his home in Medicine Hat, Alberta to attend the 100 Years of UK Ice Hockey celebrations in Durham in August 2015 — an event he describes as the perfect chance to reunite with old friends and teammates from his UK hockey days.

Brian's UK adventure began in 1984 when, aged just 24, he left Canada for Scotland via Holland and Belgium to join the Aviemore Blackhawks. Arriving initially as a player, he quickly became player-coach and led the Blackhawks to the 1986–87 British League Division 2 title and Playoff Championship, famously defeating the Cardiff Devils in Cardiff.

That success led to an approach from Cardiff Devils owner John Lawless, who brought Brian onto the bench alongside former Blackhawks Brian Wilkie and the late Brian Dickson. The move paid off immediately as the Devils won the Autumn Cup, defeating the Trafford Metros 11–10 on aggregate.

What followed was a remarkable period of success. With the signings of Ian and Stephen Cooper and Canadian import Steve Moria, Cardiff surged forward — winning promotion as First Division champions in 1988–89, then completing an unforgettable double in 1989–90 by claiming the Premier Division title and the Wembley Playoff Championship. The dramatic final against the Murrayfield Racers, won on penalties after trailing 3–0, is often described as the greatest Wembley final ever. Brian was also named Coach of the Year.

Brian later returned to Scotland to coach the Ayr Raiders, before spells with the Fife Flyers, Oxford and Swindon Wildcats. In 1994, after ten memorable and successful years in UK hockey, Brian and his wife returned home to Alberta.

Brian Kanewischer Interview. In today’s show I talk to former Aviemore Blackhawks, Cardiff Devils, Ayr Raiders and Swindon Wildcats coach, Brian Kanewischer. We talk of how he had no hesitation in travelling over 4000 miles from his home in Medicine Hat, Alberta Canada for the 100 years UK Ice Hockey event, held in Durham in...

The post Brian Kanewischer Podcast Interview – Episode S1E30 appeared first on Old Time Hockey UK.

In today's show I speak with former Aviemore Blackhawks, Cardiff Devils, Ayr Raiders and Swindon Wildcats coach Brian Kanewischer.

Brian talks about travelling over 4,000 miles from his home in Medicine Hat, Alberta to attend the 100 Years of UK Ice Hockey celebrations in Durham in August 2015 — an event he describes as the perfect chance to reunite with old friends and teammates from his UK hockey days.

Brian's UK adventure began in 1984 when, aged just 24, he left Canada for Scotland via Holland and Belgium to join the Aviemore Blackhawks. Arriving initially as a player, he quickly became player-coach and led the Blackhawks to the 1986–87 British League Division 2 title and Playoff Championship, famously defeating the Cardiff Devils in Cardiff.

That success led to an approach from Cardiff Devils owner John Lawless, who brought Brian onto the bench alongside former Blackhawks Brian Wilkie and the late Brian Dickson. The move paid off immediately as the Devils won the Autumn Cup, defeating the Trafford Metros 11–10 on aggregate.

What followed was a remarkable period of success. With the signings of Ian and Stephen Cooper and Canadian import Steve Moria, Cardiff surged forward — winning promotion as First Division champions in 1988–89, then completing an unforgettable double in 1989–90 by claiming the Premier Division title and the Wembley Playoff Championship. The dramatic final against the Murrayfield Racers, won on penalties after trailing 3–0, is often described as the greatest Wembley final ever. Brian was also named Coach of the Year.

Brian later returned to Scotland to coach the Ayr Raiders, before spells with the Fife Flyers, Oxford and Swindon Wildcats. In 1994, after ten memorable and successful years in UK hockey, Brian and his wife returned home to Alberta.

Chuck Taylor Interview In today’s show I talk to former Solihull Barons, Telford Tigers and Nottingham Panthers D Man, Chuck Taylor. Chuck was born in London in 1961 but raised in Saskatchewan in Canada. In 1982 he returned to the country of his birth, signing for Gary Newbon’s Solihull Barons. Solihull Barons Chuck arrived in the...

The post Chuck Taylor Podcast Interview – Episode S1E29 appeared first on Old Time Hockey UK.

In today's show I speak with former Solihull Barons, Telford Tigers and Nottingham Panthers defenceman Chuck Taylor.

Born in London in 1961 and raised in Saskatchewan, Chuck returned to the UK in 1982 after signing for Gary Newbon's Solihull Barons. Arriving in November following a failed move to Germany, Chuck admits he knew nothing about the UK game and was initially disillusioned with the standard. Alongside fellow import Barry Skrudland, he considered returning to Canada — until chairman Gary Newbon convinced them to buy into his long-term vision for the club. Chuck stayed, and the UK became his permanent home.

Chuck reflects on two formative seasons with the Barons as the team grew into serious contenders, recalling fierce local derbies with the Peterborough Pirates and his outspoken clashes with the BIHA, which often landed him in hot water.

In 1985, following Gary Newbon's departure from Solihull and a change in club leadership, Chuck left to help establish the newly formed Telford Tigers as player/director. His vision was to build a North American-style development system, investing in youth to grow the game. The Tigers finished third in their inaugural season and enjoyed major success in 1987–88, winning the Division 1 Championship. However, promotion to the Premier League narrowly eluded them after a dramatic two-legged playoff loss to the Peterborough Pirates, decided by a late Garry Unger goal.

Chuck later joined the Nottingham Panthers in 1994–95, enjoying two seasons as a player and lifting the Benson & Hedges Cup in 1994. He also discusses the circumstances surrounding the early termination of his Panthers contract and reflects on experiences beyond the UK — including an Edmonton Oilers training camp, facing Wayne Gretzky, rooming with Garry Unger, and gruelling 3,000-mile WHL road trips. The interview concludes with Chuck's candid views on the modern game and the current ownership of the Telford Tigers

Episode S1Extra. Marc Twaite Podcast Extra . In today’s Marc Twaite Podcast Extra, the former GB and Nottingham Panthers forward returns to introduce his new Autobiography. “The Ice That Melted” Marc, who also played ice hockey for the Milton Keynes Kings, Coventry Blaze, Cardiff Devils and Sheffield Steelers, was my very first guest on the...

The post S1Extra – The Marc Twaite Podcast Interview – extra appeared first on Old Time Hockey UK.