In today's show I talk to former Streatham Braves, Medway Bears, Peterborough Pirates and Cardiff Devils netminder Jason Wood.
Now living in Penticton, British Columbia, Jason works as a firefighter in downtown Vancouver. Our interview was scheduled for 4:30pm UK time — 8:30am in Vancouver — but after finishing a night shift, Jason decided to do the interview while driving the 260 miles home. As you'll hear, it certainly had its moments.
Jason began his goaltending career at just nine years old with the Streatham Braves. The team enjoyed a remarkable 1986 season, winning the Wembley Junior Championship and going undefeated. Jason faced only 100 shots all season and did not concede a single goal.
At fifteen he stepped up to senior hockey with the Medway Bears, spending two seasons developing his game before being recruited by Peterborough Pirates coach and former NHL "Iron Man" Gary Unger. Enticed by the promise of a summer at the renowned Okanagan Hockey School, Jason signed — only to return to Canada briefly before citizenship issues brought him back to the UK after six months.
On his return, Jason contacted Cardiff Devils coach John Lawless and earned a contract as backup to former Streatham mentor Jeff Smith for the 1989–90 season. When Smith departed, Jason became a key figure in one of the most successful eras in Devils history.
During his time in Cardiff, Jason helped the Devils win multiple honours, including four League Championships, three Playoff Championships and the Autumn/Benson & Hedges Cup. He also represented Great Britain at the 1991–92 Junior U20 World Championships.
The 1996–97 season proved difficult following a dispute with Devils ownership that severely limited his ice time and ultimately forced Jason to take legal action to recover unpaid wages. After a short spell with the Kingston Hawks the following season, injury brought his playing career to an end at just 27.
Jason later joined the South Wales Fire Service before moving permanently to Canada, where he became a firefighter in Delta, near Vancouver. He gained Canadian citizenship two years ago and now also works with health and wellness company Usana Health Sciences.
