Recent Episodes
8
May 5, 2023
Trent Kaese Podcast Interview
In this episode, Ken is joined by former Buffalo Sabres draft pick Trent Casey, a name fondly remembered by UK fans from his time with the Peterborough Pirates, Milton Keynes Kings, and later Blackburn Hawks. Trent takes us back to his roots in Nanaimo, British Columbia, growing up just a ferry ride from Vancouver. He reflects on juggling soccer and hockey as a youngster before choosing the rink for good—partly because skating beat running any day of the week. The conversation moves to the
7
June 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 Pan
6
Feb. 15, 2022
Wayne Crawford Podcast Interview
Wayne Crawford Podcast Interview – Episode S5E06 Today my guest is Canadian forward Wayne Crawford. Wayne was originally drafted by the Detroit Redwings in 1980. He then spent most of his time in the AHL and IHL until a friend suggested he try the UK. That friend was former OHL Toronto Marlboros and Washington Capitals NHL forward Todd Bidner. Todd, now playing in Peterborough, persuaded Wayne to cross the Atlantic and sign for the Pirates
5
Oct. 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 opp
4
July 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
3
May 6, 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 cr
Recent Blog Posts
May 25, 2026
Fife Flyers and Kirkcaldy Ice Rink: Scotland’s Home of Ice Hockey
Fife Flyers and Kirkcaldy Ice Rink: Scotland’s Home of Ice Hockey In the heart of Kirkcaldy stands one of Scotland’s most iconic sporting venues — the historic Fife Flyers home rink, Fife Ice Arena. and designed by architects Williamson & Hubbard, …
May 19, 2026
John Kidd: Tough as Nails in the Glory Days of Scottish Hockey
John Kidd: Tough as Nails in the Glory Days of Scottish Hockey There are some players from the old British hockey days whose stats alone can never truly define. John Kidd was one of them. Hard-nosed, fiercely loyal, and impossible to move from in …
May 18, 2026
Blackpool Ice Drome — The Famous D-Shaped Rink
Blackpool Ice Drome — The Famous D-Shaped Rink British ice hockey has had some legendary arenas over the years… but few were quite as unforgettable as the Blackpool Ice Drome. To hockey fans of a certain generation, the words “D-shaped rink” insta…
About the Host
Ken Abbott