OldTimeHockeyUK Podcast

In today's show I speak with former Whitley Warriors, Murrayfield Racers, Cardiff Devils, Manchester Storm, Newcastle Riverkings, Coventry Blaze and Newcastle Vipers forward Hilton Ruggles.

Hilton reflects on his early years growing up playing hockey in Montreal, his spell in mainland Europe, and his arrival in the UK after signing for the Whitley Warriors in 1988 — memorably slipping over alongside fellow import Mike Rowe while being introduced to the press.

After four seasons with the Warriors, Hilton enjoyed brief stints with Solihull and Murrayfield before signing for John Lawless's Cardiff Devils. His three seasons in Cardiff were hugely successful, winning "The Treble" in his first year and scoring over 300 goals. It was also during this period that teammate Shannon Hope gave him the nickname "Homey," which still sticks today.

In 1995, Hilton joined the newly formed Manchester Storm, attracted by the challenge of building a new club closer to his home in the North East. After a short wait for his contract, he delivered a stunning season, scoring 112 goals in just 51 games as the Storm won the British League Division One title at their first attempt. Hilton also recalls the surreal moment his image appeared on billboards across Manchester, promoted ahead of the city's football giants.

After three seasons with the Storm and with changes behind the bench, Hilton returned to the North East in 1998, signing for the Newcastle Riverkings. Two seasons later he moved to the Coventry Blaze, where he spent four years contributing both on and off the ice, helping guide the club from the British National League into the Elite League.

Hilton finished his playing career back in Newcastle with the Vipers, retiring in 2005 after seventeen seasons in UK hockey. He reflects candidly on knowing when it was time to step away and offers a surprising answer when asked whether he still misses the game.

In 2009, Hilton was inducted into the UK Hockey Hall of Fame, having amassed 1,096 goals, 929 assists and 2,200 penalty minutes.

Scott Neil Interview. In today’s show I talk with Edinburgh Capitals team owner and former Murrayfield Racers and Sheffield Steelers forward, Scott Neil. Edinburgh born, Scott’s earliest memories of ice hockey was as a twelve year old playing “stick and puck” after a Murrayfield Racers game. Two years later he had put all of his...

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In today's show, I'm joined by Scott Neil — former Murrayfield Racers and Sheffield Steelers forward, and owner of the Edinburgh Capitals.

Born in Edinburgh, Scott came through Murrayfield's system, scoring his first senior goal at 16 and earning 37 GB caps by 17, featuring in six World Championships and an Olympic Qualifier. After four years of university hockey in Canada under Alex Dampier, he returned to a Racers side enjoying a golden era — winning multiple league titles, cups, and a Wembley Playoff Championship.

In 1992, Scott joined the newly formed Sheffield Steelers, enjoying five hugely successful seasons alongside the likes of Ron Shudra, Ken Priestlay, Jamie Leach, Selmar Odelein and Tony Hand, adding further league titles and Wembley glory.

Returning to Scotland in 1997, Scott transitioned into management with the Edinburgh Capitals, serving as player, GM, Head Coach and ultimately owner, guiding the club into the Elite League in 2004.

🏅 UK Hockey Hall of Fame (2007) 📊 694 goals | 1,282 points | 687 games

Scott now reflects on the modern Elite League, imports, and the challenge of developing British talent.

Gavin Fraser Interview. Today’s show features former Aviemore Blackhawks and Nottingham Panthers forward Gavin Fraser. Gavin grew up in the Scottish Highlands and had to walk six miles to get to his local ice rink. As a kid he was a regular ice skater but didn’t take up playing hockey until he was thirteen, he...

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Today's show features former Aviemore Blackhawks and Nottingham Panthers forward Gavin Fraser.

Raised in the Scottish Highlands, Gavin regularly walked six miles to reach his local ice rink. Although a keen skater from a young age, he didn't take up ice hockey until he was thirteen after attending a game on a whim. That decision would change his life.

Following a recommendation from former Aviemore teammate John Bremner, Gavin joined the Nottingham Panthers and initially arrived on what he expected to be a short holiday. Instead, he played a full season, appearing in 45 games and scoring 29 goals with 18 assists, mainly from right wing.

At the end of that season Gavin returned to the Highlands, convinced city life wasn't for him — only to quickly realise rural life was too quiet. By August 1983 he was back in Nottingham, where he has lived ever since.

Over the next eleven seasons Gavin became a Panthers mainstay, playing in two Autumn Cup finals (winning both) and two Wembley Playoff Championship finals, lifting the trophy once. He eventually retired early in the 1992–93 season after finding his ice time limited.

Just as memorable as his on-ice contributions was Gavin's larger-than-life personality. Renowned for his one-liners, practical jokes and rink-side commentary, he remains fondly remembered by teammates and fans alike, earning glowing tributes from Marc "Smurf" Twaite, Graham Waghorn and Robin Andrew.

Craig Melancon Interview. Today’s show features former Streatham Redskins, Slough Jets and Nottingham Panthers forward Craig Melancon. My very first question to Craig was how he’d acquired the nickname  “Cougar”, as during my research, several guys I’d spoken to had referred to him by that name. Craig went on to talk about his early days in...

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Today's show features former Craig Melancon, a colourful forward remembered for his spells with the Streatham Redskins, Slough Jets and Nottingham Panthers.

Craig explains the origin of his nickname "Cougar" and reflects on growing up in Ottawa, skating daily on outdoor rinks before progressing to the Sudbury Wolves in the OHL. After 52 games, he dropped to Junior A to further develop his game.

In 1984, encouraged by his grandfather — a UK emigrant to Canada — Craig crossed the Atlantic to try British hockey, signing as an import with the Streatham Redskins under manager Alex Goldstone. Joining a strong side that included Gary Stefan, Trevor Coogan, Jeff Smith and the late Gary "Moose" Cloonan, Craig recalls loving life in Streatham, even if adapting to British accents — and his fiery style — took time. That edge famously saw him ejected in his very first game, away to rivals Nottingham Panthers.

After three seasons in Streatham, Craig moved on to the Slough Jets before joining the Nottingham Panthers for the 1987–88 season. Despite standing just 5'8", he was a stocky, fearless forward with excellent skating and stick-handling, known for getting under opponents' skin — and spending plenty of time in the penalty box. Panthers fans who once hated him quickly took him to their hearts.

Craig returned to Canada after the 1987–88 season, joking it was "for a haircut and a real job." He now works as a telecoms manager with Bell and is a proud father of three.

S1E20 Fred Perlini Interview. Today’s show features former Toronto Maple Leafs, Nottingham Panthers, Fife Flyers and Guildford Flames forward Fred Perlini. Fred was unexpectedly drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1980. On “draft day” he was actually digging in a ditch. A passing motorist, listening to the draft, told him that the Toronto Maple...

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Today's episode features former Fred Perlini, a forward whose career spanned the Toronto Maple Leafs, Nottingham Panthers, Fife Flyers and Guildford Flames.

Fred recounts being unexpectedly drafted by the Maple Leafs in the 1980 NHL Draft while digging a ditch — only learning the news from a passing motorist. A year later, he made headlines by scoring for both the Toronto Marlies and the Maple Leafs on the same day, netting a hat-trick in the afternoon before scoring again that evening.

After five seasons in the AHL and limited NHL opportunities, Fred moved to Europe, eventually signing for Nottingham Panthers under Alex Dampier. That decision proved transformative. In a single, legendary season, Fred produced one of the greatest individual campaigns in UK hockey history — 108 goals, 104 assists, 212 points in just 45 games — leading Nottingham to the Autumn Cup, their first trophy since reforming.

Fred later joined the Fife Flyers, helping them reach the 1988 Wembley Playoff Final and finishing runner-up in the league scoring race. As import budgets tightened, he entered a nomadic phase before gaining British citizenship and signing with the Guildford Flames in 1994. There, he found long-term stability as a player, coach and mentor, later running the club's junior programme for a decade.

In 2007, Fred returned to North America to focus on player development. His hockey legacy continues through his sons — Brett, drafted by Anaheim in 2010, and Brendan, Guildford-born and selected 12th overall in the 2014 NHL Draft — cementing the Perlini name as a true hockey family.

Simon Leach Interview On today’s show I interview former Whitley Warriors forward and head coach Simon Leach. Simon began his hockey journey as a 6 year old when he and his best friend, went to the local Whitley Bay ice rink to watch another friend’s dad play for the Warriors in a practice game. That...

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