OldTimeHockeyUK Podcast

Today's episode features former Simon Leach, Whitley Warriors forward and Head Coach.

Simon began his hockey journey at Whitley Bay Ice Rink alongside childhood friend David Longstaff, progressing through the Warriors' junior system and making first-team debuts together at just 15. Simon went on to represent Great Britain at every level from U16 to senior.

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Simon was part of a fearsome Whitley Warriors side renowned for toughness, deep British talent and intense rivalries — especially with the Durham Wasps. He reflects on the unique culture of the team, the infamous Hillheads Ice Rink, and the influence of imports including Hilton Ruggles, Luc Chabot, Mike Rowe and future NHL coach Mike Babcock.

After brief spells away, Simon returned to the North East, later joining the Newcastle Vipers, where he was part of the club's transition into the Elite League and their stunning 2006 Playoff Championship run. His career also included time with Paisley Pirates, Kingston Hawks and a short stint in Australia with the Adelaide Avalanche.

Simon later enjoyed two successful spells as Head Coach of the Whitley Warriors and, after recently stepping down, remains deeply involved in the game as an assistant coach with the Great Britain U18 programme.

The Ivan Matulik Interview In this episode I interview Ivan Matulik, the former Sheffield Steelers, Edinburgh Racers, Cardiff Devils and Manchester Storm forward. Born in Czechoslovakia, Ivan grew up in the late 1960’s, in a country ruled by communists. As a consequence “the state” controlled everything, including communication and travel. Ivan was a young rising...

The post Ivan Matulik Podcast Interview – Episode S1E18 appeared first on Old Time Hockey UK.

In this episode, I'm joined by former Ivan Matulik, a fan favourite with the Sheffield Steelers, Edinburgh Racers, Cardiff Devils and Manchester Storm.

Born in communist Czechoslovakia, Ivan was a rising star with Slovan Bratislava when he was drafted in the 7th round by the Edmonton Oilers. Faced with a life-changing choice, he secretly defected to the West to pursue his NHL dream, arriving in Canada alone and unable to speak English. Despite adapting quickly, fierce competition and serious injuries limited his NHL opportunities, keeping him largely in the Oilers' farm system.

Ivan's European career took off in the UK after signing for the Sheffield Steelers under Alex Dampier, where an intense early clash with Nottingham Panthers opened his eyes to British hockey's passion. He later joined the Murrayfield Racers, reuniting with Mike Ware and playing alongside Tony Hand.

His most successful spell came with the Cardiff Devils, where he enjoyed six seasons and won the inaugural SuperLeague Championship — a career highlight. Following Cardiff's financial collapse, Ivan captained the Manchester Storm through turbulent times, before returning to Cardiff as a founding member of the Elite League.

After further spells in the UK and Italy, Ivan retired due to the physical toll of the game. He now lives in Vancouver, working as a sales manager in the motor industry, reflecting on a remarkable career shaped by courage, resilience and top-level hockey on both sides of the Atlantic.

Shannon Hope Interview. In this episode I interview former Peterborough Pirates, Cardiff Devils and Great Britain international D-Man Shannon Hope. The big Peterborough (Ontario) born D-Man arrived in the UK in 1984 after new Peterborough Pirates coach Ron Katernuk, an old friend from his junior days, persuaded him to sign for the Pirates. We talk...

The post Shannon Hope Podcast Interview – Episode S1E17 appeared first on Old Time Hockey UK.

In this episode I speak with former Peterborough Pirates, Cardiff Devils and Great Britain international defenceman Shannon Hope.

Born in Peterborough, Ontario, Shannon arrived in the UK in 1984 after being persuaded by his old junior friend Ron Katernuk, newly appointed coach of the Peterborough Pirates. Playing as one of only three allowed imports, Shannon became part of a strong Pirates team whose characters and chemistry helped secure the Championship Trophy and promotion to the Heineken Premier League.

After a two-year break back in Canada, former teammate John Lawless convinced Shannon to return to the UK to join his Cardiff Devils side. What was meant to be a short stay turned into more than two decades in Cardiff.

Shannon enjoyed extraordinary success with the Devils, helping the club win League Championships, the Autumn Cup, promotion to the Premier League, and then completing an unforgettable double by lifting both the League title and Wembley Playoff Championship at their first Premier League attempt. He reflects on a team driven by a winning mentality and an ability to find ways to win when it mattered most.

The interview also dives into the characters that defined the Devils era — including "The Posse," the locally developed young Cardiff players, and some of the league's most colourful personalities. Known for his love of fun, Shannon shares stories of practical jokes, including a notorious hotel prank involving teammate Jeff Smith.

Never shy of physical play, Shannon also recalls memorable altercations, including an infamous post-game handshake fight with former Nottingham Panthers and GB defenceman Chris Kelland, as well as a "stray elbow" incident with a former Murrayfield opponent who later became a teammate and friend. His Slovakian accent and impersonation of Ivan Matulik add humour to a highly entertaining episode.

Paul Adey Interview. In this episode I chat with former Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers forward Paul Adey. Paul later went on to coach both the Nottingham Panthers and the Belfast Giants. Paul grew up in Montreal in Canada, he remembers his early years playing hockey on the outdoors rinks, he recalls; You’d cover your...

The post Paul Adey Podcast Interview – Episode S1E16 appeared first on Old Time Hockey UK.

In this episode, I speak with Paul Adey — former Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers forward, and later Head Coach of the Nottingham Panthers and Belfast Giants.

Born in Montreal, Paul grew up on outdoor rinks before playing three seasons in the QMJHL and then moving to the tough International Hockey League. In 1987, he headed to Europe, signing for Briançon in France, where the club reached the playoff final.

Paul arrived in the UK in 1988, signing for the Nottingham Panthers under Alex Dampier. With imports limited, he thrived — posting 153 points in his first season and playing a key role in Nottingham's iconic Wembley Heineken Playoff Championship win. Over 11 seasons, Paul became a Panthers legend, recording 612 games, 828 goals and 781 assists, and seeing his #22 jersey retired in 2003.

After a spell in Italy, Paul joined the Sheffield Steelers for 2000–01, helping the club complete a historic Grand Slam before retiring.

Coaching followed, with Paul returning to Nottingham to lead the Panthers to their first Challenge Cup in 2003–04, before later guiding the Belfast Giants to an Elite League Championship. Today, Paul works in media with Notts TV and Premier Sports, while remaining open to future coaching roles.

Scott Plews Interview. I interview former Fife Flyers, Murrayfield and Edinburgh Racers, Telford Tigers and Paisley Pirates D Man Scott Plews. Scott made his debut for the Flyers at the tender age of  fourteen. Due to his age, he spent the next three years playing not only for the Kirkcaldy club’s first team,  but also...

The post Scott Plews Podcast Interview – Episode S1E15 appeared first on Old Time Hockey UK.

In this episode I speak with former Fife Flyers, Murrayfield and Edinburgh Racers, Telford Tigers and Paisley Pirates defenceman Scott Plews.

Scott made his Fife Flyers first-team debut at just fourteen years old. Because of his age, he spent the next three seasons juggling hockey across multiple levels — playing for the Flyers first team, the Kestrels, both the U16 and U19 sides, and earning selection for the Great Britain U18 team. His early promise suggested a very bright future.

However, the 1993–94 season proved a turning point. A disagreement with Flyers coach Jim Lynch, combined with an early-season injury, resulted in Scott being released after just seven games. Murrayfield Racers quickly snapped him up, and Scott enjoyed two strong seasons in Edinburgh, playing alongside stars such as Tony Hand, Moray Hanson, Paul Hand, Frank Morris, Chris Palmer and Mike Ware.

After two years with the Racers, Scott followed former teammate Dean Edmiston south to join the Telford Tigers. Although he enjoyed his time in the Midlands, after just ten games he chose to return to Fife — a decision he openly admits he regrets.

Scott later found what he describes as the happiest period of his career with the Paisley Pirates, praising the club for genuinely caring about their players — even paying to repair his teeth after injuries.

The interview concludes with discussion of the 100 Years of UK Ice Hockey event, which Scott co-organised alongside Frankie Killen — a landmark celebration of the sport's heritage.

Episode S1E14. The Simon Kirkham Interview. I talk with former BIHA and Ice Hockey UK referee Simon Kirkham. As a sixteen year old in the very early 1980’s Simon found himself playing ice hockey for the Nottingham Panthers second string, the Trojans, before work commitments and a move away from Nottingham brought his fledgling career...

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