OldTimeHockeyUK Podcast

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 scored a hat trick that night. Alongside Luc Chabot and future NHL coach Mike Babcock, he helped Whitley to their best-ever season—league runners-up and Wembley Playoff semi-finalists—while finishing as league top scorer and Player of the Year.

Scott went on to spend 10 seasons in the UK, playing for Humberside Seahawks, Billingham Bombers, Basingstoke Bison, Newcastle Warriors and Ayr Scottish Eagles, and even made an unlikely TV appearance in Spender at Hillheads rink.

Despite moving clubs, his heart remained in the North East, highlighted by scoring the winner against Basingstoke on his return to Whitley. Scott reflects on a life-changing journey that began with a stolen résumé and led to a decade of hockey, a family, and a lifelong connection to the UK.

Scott O’Connor Podcast Interview Imagine, you’re 14 years old, you’re a junior ice hockey net minder. You’re learning your trade within the Fife Flyers junior development organisation. Usually you play in front of just a few parents and friends. Then you get the call, you’re about to make your debut in front of over two...

The post Scott O’Connor Podcast Interview – Episode S3E03 appeared first on Old Time Hockey UK.

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.

Nicky Chinn Podcast Interview In today’s show I break with my policy of interviewing only “players from the past”. Nicky Chinn continues to play on, despite making his debut in the 1988 – 89 season, that’s 29 seasons ago. A product of the Cardiff junior development system, Nicky made his Devils debut at the tender...

The post Nicky Chinn Podcast Interview – Episode S3E02 appeared first on Old Time Hockey UK.

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 wherever he played.

Nicky reflects on seven seasons with the Cardiff Devils during their most successful era, including League titles, Wembley Playoff wins, and the iconic 1993 Grand Slam. He charts his evolution into a hard-nosed power forward, known for standing his ground and never backing down.

The conversation also covers his controversial 1995 move to the Sheffield Steelers, the reaction from Devils fans, and another Grand Slam-winning season with a star-studded Steelers roster. From there, Nicky's career took him across the UK as a respected journeyman, pulling on the jerseys of London Knights, Guildford Flames, Bracknell Bees, Slough Jets, Milton Keynes Lightning, Basingstoke Bison, and a short spell with the Nottingham Panthers.

In total, Nicky has played 1,033 regular-season games—and remarkably, he's still playing today. This is an honest, nostalgic and often hard-hitting conversation about resilience, loyalty, and what it really takes to survive in British ice hockey for the long haul.

Wayne Cowley Podcast Interview In today’s show I interview former Edmonton Oilers, Solihull Barons, Sheffield Steelers and Newcastle Cobras goalie Wayne Cowley. Canadian Wayne hails from Scarborough, Ontario and is the son of British immigrants. After a successful junior hockey career he signed for the Calgary Flames during their most successful NHL period. The Flames made him...

The post Wayne Cowley Podcast Interview – Episode S3E01 appeared first on Old Time Hockey UK.

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 made his NHL debut with Edmonton in 1993–94, facing the New Jersey Devils.

After major knee surgery, Wayne returned to the UK in 1995 with the Sheffield Steelers, debuting at a sold-out Arena and helping deliver the famous 1995–96 Grand Slam—League, Cup and Wembley Playoffs—playing the Final despite breaking a finger in the warm-up.

Further spells in Germany and back in the UK with Newcastle Cobras/Riverkings followed before retirement. Wayne also shares his legendary superstitions, including a lucky rubber duck, and life after hockey as owner of Toronto's Bottomline Bar, just steps from Maple Leaf Gardens.

Paul Blahyj Podcast Interview In today’s show, the final Podcast of Season 2, I interview former Nottingham Panthers back up net minder Paul Blahyj. I start the interview by asking a very important question – how does he pronounce his last name of Blahyj? Paul explains that the name hails from the Ukraine through his grandad,...

The post Paul Blahyj Podcast Interview – Episode S2E12 appeared first on Old Time Hockey UK.

In the final episode of Season 2, I'm joined by former Nottingham Panthers back-up netminder Paul Blahyj (pronounced Bly), who reflects on a short but unforgettable top-level hockey journey.

Paul spent 12 years developing in the Nottingham junior system with the Tigers, Cougars and Jaguars during a golden period for local talent at the Nottingham Ice Stadium. In 1994, his dream came true when head coach Mike Blaisdell asked him to step up as Panthers back-up goalie.

Paul recalls the pride — and shock — of his senior debut in a 10–10 friendly against the Durham Wasps, along with a memorable (and brutal) team initiation. One of the highlights of his career came in the 1994 Benson & Hedges Cup Final, when Blaisdell rewarded him with the final 34 seconds of a 7–3 victory over the Cardiff Devils — a gesture Paul describes as unforgettable.

The following night brought chaos, as a bench-clearing brawl in Cardiff saw every player involved and the Panthers escorted from the rink by police. We also revisit the crushing disappointment of the 1994–95 season, including the pivotal loss to the Sheffield Steelers that cost Nottingham the league title.

Despite achieving his childhood dream, Paul chose to retire at just 20 years old. Whether he ever regretted that decision is revealed in the interview.

In this extended episode, I'm joined by former Southampton Vikings, Dundee Rockets, Medway Bears and Bracknell Bees defenceman Rob Breskal, whose hockey journey began in the most unlikely of places.

Born in Brighton, a city with rich hockey history but no proper ice rink, Rob discovered the sport by chance at a tiny local rink when the Streatham juniors were forced to train there during renovations. That moment sparked a career that saw him progress through the Streatham junior system before returning home to help form the Brighton Royals, a team forced to play every game away.

Rob's performances earned him a contract with the Southampton Vikings, where promotion to the Premier Division followed — along with an infamous naked lap of the rink after losing a bet. During this period, Rob represented Great Britain U19, lining up alongside Tony Hand and the Cooper brothers as the team finished runners-up at the 1984 European Championships Pool C.

A move to the Dundee Rockets followed, where Rob played alongside NHL legend Garry "Iron Man" Unger and helped the Rockets win the Scottish Cup and reach the Wembley Playoff Final.

Homesickness eventually brought Rob back south to the Medway Bears, where he spent four seasons, mostly as captain, before a big-money move to the Bracknell Bees. Appointed captain once again, Rob helped the Bees gain promotion to the Premier Division before departing the club after 17 games the following season.

Away from hockey, Rob's story takes an unexpected turn as he went on to win BBC's The Weakest Link, earning an unforgettable nickname from presenter Anne Robinson.