OldTimeHockeyUK Podcast

Trent Kaese Podcast Interview

In this episode, Ken sits down with former Buffalo Sabres draft pick Trent Casey, a name many UK fans still remember from the Peterborough Pirates, Milton Keynes Kings, and a later spell in Blackburn. Trent takes us right back to his roots in Nanaimo, British Columbia—a ferry ride from Vancouver, where the weather feels far closer to the UK than the stereotypical Canadian deep-freeze. He shares how he originally played soccer and hockey, before the pull of the rink (and the "easier" option of skating vs running!) won him over for good. Drafted by Buffalo… and meeting legends Trent recalls the build-up to the 1985 NHL Draft, when scouts and GMs began interviewing him—always a sign something might be coming. Buffalo took their chance, and suddenly an 18-year-old Trent found himself at camp surrounded by icons. One of the standout stories is a brilliant "only in hockey" moment: Scotty Bowman calls him into the office… and instead of a big lecture, they end up chatting about fishing in Nanaimo. The Broncos tragedy, and the awful confusion A major part of the conversation covers the devastating Lethbridge/Swift Current Broncos bus crash that claimed four young lives. Trent explains how he'd been around the group, had made friends there, and how fate (and timing) meant he wasn't on that bus. He also speaks about the distressing confusion afterwards, when some believed he had been involved due to the similarity of his name to one of the victims—leading to condolence calls his parents should never have had to receive. He also reflects on how the 2018 Humboldt Broncos tragedy brought those memories straight back. One NHL game… and a moment you never forget Trent's NHL story is a fascinating one: one game, but a lifetime memory. He talks through the surprise call-up, the disbelief (including hanging up the phone thinking it was a prank), and the whirlwind trip to play against the Quebec Nordiques on March 25th, 1989. He even shares a brilliant moment from warm-up, when Joe Sakic skates over to welcome him—while Trent is still trying to process that this is really happening. He finished with five shots on goal, and a chance he still remembers. Crossing the pond: Peterborough Pirates, Wembley, and UK hockey life Then comes the move that UK fans will love: Trent explains how a conversation with teammate Danny Shea opened the door to the UK, with Rocky Sagan in Peterborough. He describes arriving, the culture shock, and immediately feeling the warmth of the Pirates fans—and also the not-so-warm welcome from certain rinks and supporters (including some hilarious terrace remarks along the way). On the ice, Trent remembers the intensity of the import battles, the physicality, and the atmosphere—especially trips to places like Durham and Whitley Bay. The Pirates' season is a huge highlight: a club-best third place league finish and that unforgettable Wembley playoff weekend, including the semi-final win over the reigning champions Cardiff Devils. Trent recalls how the group dug in, how players stepped up, and how the semi-final felt like a final in itself—before the next-day showdown with the Grand Slam-chasing Durham Wasps. Milton Keynes, coaching, Blackburn, and a life-changing chapter Trent also talks openly about the tougher side of the sport—being released, moving teams, and the reality of hockey as a business. He revisits the Milton Keynes Kings era (including promotion success, and a mad comeback story against Telford) and later joining Blackburn as his life began changing fast off the ice too. One of the biggest turning points? Meeting Jackie in Peterborough, starting a family, and eventually making the decision to return home. From there, Trent's post-hockey story is brilliant: he and his family built a new life developing and running a golf course on Vancouver Island, turning raw land into a full operation—while still keeping hockey in his life with relaxed weekly skates. Quickfire chaos: pranks, characters, and dressing-room laughs As always, the episode delivers the fun stuff too—locker-room characters, classic pranks, and the kind of stories only hockey produces. Plus a truly surreal highlight: a visit with Keith Gretzky that ends with Trent standing in a room surrounded by Wayne Gretzky's trophies… including a moment involving a trophy he nearly kicked in the dark. It's a warm, honest, and often very funny chat—full of hockey history, UK rink nostalgia, and the human stories behind a career that took Trent from Vancouver Island to Wembley… and back again.

Kenny Macdonald Podcast Interview

In this episode, Ken is joined by Kenny Macdonald – a true product of Scottish ice sports royalty and one of the most colourful characters to skate through Aviemore, Nottingham Panthers, and Peterborough Pirates hockey during the 1980s. Kenny begins by explaining how skating was quite literally in his blood. The son of former Scottish ice skating champion Jill Patterson, he was on skates by the age of three. Childhood memories of growing up in Aviemore paint a picture of a winter-sports playground, where skating, skiing, swimming and mischief filled every day. With access to everything on his doorstep, it was the perfect environment to forge a natural athlete. From Aviemore to the Panthers spotlight Kenny recalls his early senior hockey with the Aviemore Blackhawks, learning the hard way against seasoned opponents, including a memorable lesson involving an angry goalie and a flying stick. In 1981, his career took a huge step forward when he made the bold move south to join the Nottingham Panthers. What followed was a baptism of fire: travelling overnight by train with his kit, borrowing a tracksuit, discovering the reality of long pre-game warm-ups, and then delivering a stunning Panthers debut with five goals and an assist. Kenny vividly describes the shock of skating out in front of a sold-out Nottingham Ice Stadium, the lights going down, the crowd roaring, and realising he was now part of something special. Injuries would limit his appearances that first season, but he speaks warmly about the Panthers dressing room characters, the medical support that kept him going, and the unforgettable atmosphere created by thousands of passionate fans packed into the old rink. Peterborough Pirates, promotion battles, and brutal rivalries After time spent in Canada skating alongside future NHL stars, Kenny returned to the UK and joined the Peterborough Pirates, a decision that would define much of his career. He reflects on the club's rise, winning Division One, promotion to the Heineken Premier Division, and the fierce, bruising rivalries—particularly against the Solihull Barons, where every inch of ice was earned the hard way. He speaks candidly about the Pirates' struggles in the Premier League, the instability behind the scenes, and moments when the club nearly imploded. Yet those difficult seasons forged resilience and unity, setting the foundations for what came next. The Unger era and Wembley glory The arrival of NHL Ironman Gary Unger, alongside Todd Bidner and Doug McEwen, transformed Peterborough. Kenny describes Unger as an almost unstoppable presence—part octopus, part machine—and explains how his professionalism lifted everyone around him. The Pirates responded with their best-ever league finish and a historic trip to Wembley. Kenny relives the iconic 1990–91 playoff run: defeating Cardiff Devils in the semi-final, then facing the Grand Slam-chasing Durham Wasps in the final. He scored inside the opening minutes and produced his now-legendary "wheelchair" celebration, a tongue-in-cheek nod to being the oldest man on the team. Despite playing much of the final injured, he reflects on the pride of reaching Wembley, the noise, the nerves, and the unique magic of British hockey's greatest stage. Life after hockey – and never really stopping The Wembley final proved to be Kenny's last professional game, a high point on which to bow out. He talks openly about injuries, difficult decisions, and returning to Scotland, while still finding ways to stay involved in the sport. Along the way, the episode is packed with hilarious stories: stolen road signs, Top of the Pops moments, marathon mishaps in full hockey kit, legendary pranks, and lifelong friendships—especially with Kenny McKee, the "wee man". Now in business with his own company, Chem Distribution Ltd (ChemicalKenny), Kenny still skates whenever he can, proving that once hockey gets into your blood, it never truly leaves. This is a warm, funny, and nostalgic conversation that perfectly captures the spirit of old-time British hockey—hard, chaotic, passionate, and built on friendships that last a lifetime.

Wayne Crawford Podcast Interview

Shayne McCosh Podcast Interview

Chris Norton Podcast Interview