Tony Hand Podcast Interview – The Early Years

In today’s show I talk to former Murrayfield Racers, Sheffield Steelers, Ayr Scottish Eagles, Dundee Stars, Edinburgh Capitals, Belfast Giants and Manchester Phoenix Edinburgh born forward Tony Hand.

Episode S3E08

This episode will be my FIFTIETH EPISODE, that’s half a Century of Old Time Hockey UK Podcasts.

For this Special Episode I wanted my guest to be someone who’s left a real mark on UK Ice Hockey. Someone who has devoted almost his whole life in UK Hockey.

To me there was only one person and that person is the Legend that is Tony Hand
Described as “the Greatest Ever British born player” Tony had 14 seasons with the Murrayfield Racers.
In 1985 Tony became the first UK born player to be drafted by an NHL team. He was chosen by the then Stanley Cup champions, the Edmonton Oilers

Sheffield Steelers

When the Racers folded at the end of the 1994-95 season Tony was left without a team. Despite a very lucrative offer from the Fife Flyers Tony made the decision to move south.
That summer Tony, with his family, moved to England and to South Yorkshire where he signed for the Sheffield Steelers.
The previous season the Steelers had won the League title and Playoff Championship “double” and were determined to go one better.
Tony joined a team full of top calibre players including new signings Nicky Chinn, Wayne Cowley and Andre Malo to add to the likes of Ken Priestlay, Ron Shudra, Scott Neil, Tommy Plommer and Les Millie.
It was a good move for Tony as the Steelers went on to win the League Championship, Benson & Hedges Cup and the Wembley Playoff final to claim UK Hockey’s Grand Slam.

Moving on

He stayed in Sheffield for 4 years before returning to Scotland, when, in 1999, he signed for the Ayr Scottish Eagles.
In 2001 Tony moved on to become Player Coach of the Dundee Stars. In both his and the teams first season he lead them to a BNL League Championship.

He later went on to enjoy similar roles with the Edinburgh Capitals, Belfast Giants and Manchester Phoenix.
His playing career has seen him play in over 1800 league and cup games.

During his career Tony scored over 4000 points – let me say that again, he scored over 4000 points SIMPLY INCREDIBLE.
During his 35 seasons Tony also represented the Great Britain National team at Under 18, Under 20 and Senior level putting on the jersey nearly 100 times.
In 2011 Tony stepped up to coach the Great Britain team.

Tony has lived and breathed ice hockey in the UK for virtually all of his life. When not involved in coaching he has worked promoting products for equipment suppliers Bauer Hockey and Warrior Hockey.

The new Murrayfield Racers

In the Spring of this year (2018) it was announced that Tony’s first club, the Murrayfield Racers had reformed.
It was absolutely no surprise to find that Tony has been instrumental in the team’s resurrection.
The “New Racers” will play in the Scottish National League (SNL) from the start of the 2018 – 19 season. The team will also compete in the

National Ice Hockey League (NIHL) North Cup, competing against the Solway Sharks, Billingham Stars, Blackburn Hawks, Hull Pirates, Sheffield Steeldogs and Telford Tigers.
However the club’s ultimate aim is to gain a place in the Elite League and once again become a major force amongst the top teams in the UK.

Check out Part 2 of Tony’s interview here

Alumni

You can also listen to Podcast interviews from Tony’s Alumni of former Murrayfield Racers players and team mates here:
Ivan Matulik Episode S1E18
Scott Neil Episode S1E23
Paul Hand Episode S2E07
Jim Mollard Episode S4E08
Moray Hanson Episode S4E11

 

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You know I really love contacting former players and recording their hockey memories and then editing and producing this Podcast to bring those memories to you.
More importantly I know you love hearing them too.
We all love listening to those often hidden stories from inside the game, the stories that we, as fans, never get to hear.
It really gives me a buzz every time I upload a brand new Podcast, knowing that you’ll remember and reminisce about those memories from your hockey heroes of the past.

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You can really help the show by donating say, just $2 per Podcast episode (about £1.40) for the price of a cup of Coffee or the price of a Beer at $6 (about £4.20) – you really will be helping to keep the show going.

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Click on to the video below, I’ve recorded a brief  “Welcome to my Page” video – well, that’s from me and the dog – you’ll see what I mean when you check it out.

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Shout Out

Today’s Shout out goes to my latest Patreon Patron, Jim Murden, thanks Jim.

So, once again a very BIG thank you to all of my Patrons, to  Jeff Povey, Oscar Brownsword, Colin Dunn, Chris Saddington, Tony Harrison and Tommy Boll for their continued support.
It really is very much appreciated.

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