In today's show I speak with Frankie Killen and Scott Plews, the organisers of the 100 Years UK Ice Hockey event. Both had previously appeared on the podcast, sharing their hopes and ambitions for the event — and their hard work paid off as it proved to be an outstanding success.
Held at the Ramside Hotel in Durham on 31 July and 1 August 2015, the event celebrated a century of UK ice hockey and brought together players, referees and officials from across the country — with some travelling from as far afield as Canada, Australia and Germany. It was a long-awaited opportunity to reconnect with old teammates and rivals, share stories, and celebrate the game's rich history.
The weekend included golf, social events and a memorable gala dinner, where legends of the game were honoured. Awards included Tony Hand as Player of the Century, Percy Nicklin as Coach of the Century and Peter "Jonker" Johnson for his outstanding contribution to UK ice hockey. Guests also enjoyed video messages from Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock, former Ayr and Peterborough coach Rocky Saganiuk, and former GB, Nottingham and Sheffield coach Alex Dampier.
Beyond celebration, the event raised over £10,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust and Macmillan Cancer Support. A particularly moving moment came from Jeff "Big Moose" Smith, whose presentation left the room in silence. Additional praise was given to John Churchill and Martin Guy, who cycled 180 miles from East Kilbride to Durham to raise over £2,000, and to Kel Land for supporting the Big Moose charity.
The interview concludes with the question everyone wants answered — will there be another UK ice hockey reunion event? To find out, you'll have to listen to the podcast.
