OldTimeHockeyUK Podcast

Ken Abbott
  • 5.0 (1)
  • HOCKEY

Old Time Hockey UK is a journey into Ice Hockey nostalgia. It's the Podcast where hockey Legends come to share with you their memories, stories and anecdotes.

  1. 05/05/2023

    Trent Kaese Podcast Interview

    In this episode, Ken is joined by former Buffalo Sabres draft pick Trent Casey, a familiar name to UK fans from his time with the Peterborough Pirates, Milton Keynes Kings, and later Blackburn. Trent looks back to his early days growing up in Nanaimo, British Columbia, juggling soccer and hockey before committing fully to life on the ice. He recalls the build-up to the 1985 NHL Draft, being selected by Buffalo, and the surreal experience of attending NHL camp—highlighted by an unforgettable conversation with legendary coach Scotty Bowman. The conversation also covers one of hockey's darkest moments: the tragic Swift Current Broncos bus crash. Trent explains how close he was to the team, the confusion that followed due to a case of mistaken identity, and how the Humboldt Broncos tragedy decades later brought those memories flooding back. Trent's NHL career included a single game—but one he'll never forget. He relives the shock of a late call-up, nearly hanging up the phone thinking it was a prank, and skating against the Quebec Nordiques on 25 March 1989, including a memorable welcome from Joe Sakic during warm-ups. UK hockey fans will love Trent's stories of crossing the pond, arriving in Peterborough, embracing British rink culture, and experiencing the intensity of import battles and hostile away barns. Highlights include the Pirates' club-best third-place league finish, the unforgettable Wembley Playoff weekend, and a famous semi-final win over the Cardiff Devils, before facing the Durham Wasps the following day. Trent also reflects on the realities of the game—being released, moving teams, promotion success with Milton Keynes, a dramatic comeback against Telford, and finishing his UK career in Blackburn. Off the ice, meeting his future wife Jackie in Peterborough would prove life-changing. Post-hockey, Trent returned to Vancouver Island, where he and his family built and ran a golf course from the ground up—while still keeping a connection to the game through weekly skates. The episode is packed with humour too, from dressing-room pranks to a surreal moment standing among Wayne Gretzky's trophies, courtesy of a visit with Keith Gretzky.

    54 min

  2. 06/29/2022

    Kenny Macdonald Podcast Interview

    Ken is joined by Kenny Macdonald — one of British hockey's most colourful 1980s characters and a true product of Scottish ice sports royalty. The son of former Scottish ice skating champion Jill Patterson, Kenny was on skates by the age of three, growing up in Aviemore's winter-sports playground where skating, skiing, and mischief shaped a natural athlete. Kenny reflects on his early senior hockey with the Aviemore Blackhawks before making a bold move south in 1981 to join the Nottingham Panthers. He vividly recalls the culture shock of his Panthers debut — overnight train journeys, borrowed kit, a packed Nottingham Ice Stadium — and then announcing himself in style with five goals and an assist. Injuries would limit his first season, but the dressing-room characters and electric atmosphere left a lasting impression. After time in Canada, Kenny returned to the UK and found his hockey home with the Peterborough Pirates. He talks openly about promotion battles, brutal rivalries (especially with Solihull), and the behind-the-scenes struggles that nearly broke the club. Everything changed with the arrival of NHL Ironman Gary Unger, whose professionalism transformed the Pirates and drove them to their best-ever finish and a historic Wembley appearance. Kenny relives the unforgettable 1990–91 playoff run — beating Cardiff Devils in the semi-final and facing Durham Wasps in the final. He scored early, unveiled his legendary "wheelchair" celebration, and played through injury on British hockey's biggest stage. The Wembley final would prove to be his last professional game. The episode is packed with laugh-out-loud stories, legendary pranks, lifelong friendships, and reflections on life after hockey. Now running his own business, Kenny still skates whenever he can — proof that once hockey gets into your blood, it never really leaves. A warm, funny, and deeply nostalgic conversation that captures the true spirit of old-time British hockey.

    1h 6m
  3. Wayne Crawford Podcast Interview

    02/15/2022

    Wayne Crawford Podcast Interview

    Wayne Crawford, better known as "Reggie", joins Ken Abbott to relive a 13-season UK career full of big characters, passionate fans, and unforgettable moments. From junior hockey at Maple Leaf Gardens, being drafted by the Detroit Red Wings (1980), and an agonising near-miss NHL debut, Wayne reflects on early highs and hard lessons—including a Team Canada stint and a surreal "almost high-five with a monkey" story in Russia. His UK journey begins at Peterborough Pirates, where he falls in love with the crowds, Animal Corner, and a famous 7–7 comeback vs Durham. After a turbulent spell at Whitley, a call from Chuck Taylor makes Telford Tigers his true home—despite injuries, suspensions, and controversy (including the infamous Kirkcaldy incident). Later chapters include Superleague Bracknell Bees, silverware with Basingstoke, and a fairytale finish captaining Guildford Flames to a treble at age 39. Best player he ever played with? Wayne Gretzky. What he misses most? The dressing room, the lads, and the banter.

    1h 3m

  4. 10/12/2021

    Shayne McCosh Podcast Interview

    Former Bracknell Bees and Sheffield Steelers defenceman Shane McCosh joins the show to share remarkable behind-the-scenes stories from his career in UK hockey. From loaning a team owner £25,000 to help cover player wages, to needing 12 stitches on a road trip before even stepping off the team coach, Shane offers a brutally honest look at life as a pro. Growing up in a hockey-mad Canadian family, Shane's early development was shaped on backyard ice rinks, eventually leading to AHL and ECHL opportunities before a surprise call from Bracknell Bees head coach Jim Fuyarchuk changed his path — and brought him to the UK SuperLeague. After three challenging seasons with the Bees, Shane moved to the Sheffield Steelers in 1999, becoming part of a squad that evolved rapidly under coach Mike Blaisdell. Despite coaching changes, fierce rivalries, and ongoing financial instability, the Steelers emerged as a dominant force. The 2000–01 season proved historic and chaotic in equal measure. While battling chronic late wage payments and the infamous "No Pay, No Play" player revolt — led in part by Shane as player representative — the Steelers somehow overcame it all to claim an unprecedented SuperLeague Grand Slam. A compelling insight into resilience, leadership, and the realities of professional hockey in the UK during one of its most turbulent eras.

    1h 19m

  5. 07/18/2021

    Chris Norton Podcast Interview

    Canadian-born defenceman Chris Norton is the latest Old Time Hockey UK guest, sharing stories from a six-year UK hockey journey that began after an NHL-drafted career spent mainly in the AHL and IHL. A chance conversation in Phoenix — helped by family ties to Manchester — led to his first UK move with the Ayr Raiders in 1992. Chris's UK career quickly became a lesson in survival as teams folded around him. Ayr Raiders collapsed weeks into the season, followed by a short stint with Billingham Bombers, before he found a longer home with the Durham Wasps. There, he experienced fierce rivalries, relegation battles, and later captained the team to a playoff finish and Castle Eden Cup success. Further spells with Teesside Bombers and a return to Durham followed amid financial chaos, before Chris signed with the Newcastle Cobras as player-assistant coach during the launch of the British Superleague. After two turbulent seasons, Chris and his wife Christina left the UK to begin a new chapter in Switzerland. A fascinating look at resilience, instability, and life as an import during one of the most unpredictable eras in UK ice hockey.

    1h 28m

  6. 05/06/2021

    Gary Newbon Podcast Interview

    In this episode, Ken Abbott is joined by Gary Newbon—legendary broadcaster, journalist, and former Solihull Barons owner, best known to viewers from Central TV and Sky Sports. Gary traces his broadcasting career from Westward TV to ATV, becoming a leading Midlands sports reporter before rising to Controller of Sport as ATV rebranded to Central TV in 1982. That same year, a chance encounter involving a broken washing machine led Gary to Solihull Barons—and into ice hockey ownership. With crowds of barely 50 and no imports, Gary took over a struggling Division Two club and sparked what became known as "The Gary Newbon Miracle." Using his media contacts and commercial know-how, he secured sponsorship, brought in Canadian imports, appointed Chuck Taylor as player-coach, and transformed the club. Attendances soared to 1,500, the Barons won their division, and promotion followed. Despite continued investment in Division One, on-ice indiscipline and high-profile incidents—most notably Crowtree in 1985—ultimately derailed further progress. With negative publicity threatening his TV career, Gary stepped away after just two intense seasons. As Ice Hockey News Review editor Vic Batchelder wrote: "Like him or loathe him, it's generally acknowledged in hockey circles that Gary Newbon achieved something of a minor miracle in just two seasons with the Barons." Now more than 50 years into broadcasting, Gary remains as active as ever, hosting The Gary Newbon Sports Show and continuing to interview the biggest names in sport.

    58 min

  7. 02/08/2021

    David Simms Podcast Interview Part 2

    In Part 2 of our Series 5 interview, David Simms continues his incredible Sheffield Steelers story. A key figure in the club's formation, David reflects on 30 years of dedication — still making the 180-mile round trip from Solihull to Sheffield Arena to this day. A born storyteller, David revisits one of the most infamous nights in British ice hockey history: Friday 9 February 2001, the Battle of Lower Parliament Street. With the Steelers on the brink of securing the SuperLeague title in Nottingham, chaos erupted in a game that has since become legendary. David also shares behind-the-scenes stories about signing Steelers legend Ken Priestlay, the best and worst owners in club history, locker-room controversies, European adventures in Omsk, Russia, and even meeting a Russian oligarch. If you enjoyed Part 1, Part 2 is unmissable.

    1h 23m

  8. 01/15/2021

    David Simms Podcast Interview Part 1

    In Part 1 of our Series 5 interview, David Simms recounts how a chance visit to an ice rink in the mid-1980s sparked a lifelong love affair with ice hockey. From discovering the sport at Solihull Barons, David rose from fan to committee member and team manager before finding himself at the heart of a defining moment in British hockey history — the birth of the Sheffield Steelers in 1991. David shares candid stories from his Barons days, including firing imports, the truth behind Brent Sapergia's sudden departure, Jim Pennycook's injury, the collapse of the Barons and even receiving his first death threat. He also explains why he walked away to join the newly formed Steelers, how the club started three tiers down, becoming the game-night announcer, and the identity of the most important player in Steelers history. This is a revealing, nostalgic and often unbelievable first chapter — and it's only Part 1.

    1h 4m
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About

Old Time Hockey UK is a journey into Ice Hockey nostalgia. It's the Podcast where hockey Legends come to share with you their memories, stories and anecdotes.

Information

  • Creator
    Ken Abbott
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2023
  • Episodes
    91
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Abbott New Media
  • Show Website
    OldTimeHockeyUK Podcast