Explore every episode of the podcast The Hot Seat Hockey Podcast

Guildford Flames fan Ian Ludgate joins Dean Carter in the Hot Seat to look back at an impressive opening to the season, including a fantastic home win over Cardiff and a statement performance away to Nottingham.

With the Flames now having a genuine chance of progressing from the Challenge Cup group stages, we look at the new-look roster after a month of pre-season and competitive action.

We discuss the longer pre-season, players who left that Ian would have kept, whether the Flames need another defenceman to truly challenge, and whether more ice time should be given to players such as Lewis.

Ian also gives his thoughts on where the Flames can go across the Challenge Cup, league and playoffs, makes his predictions for the season and picks his three Guildford players for an EIHL fantasy Dream Team.

And, of course, we finish with a quick-fire round covering Ian’s first Flames game, favourite season, favourite players, best and worst away venues, rivalries and the one thing he’d change about the Flames

This week, we’re putting the Cardiff Devils in the hot seat with Gregg Huish!

🏆 Was the controversial price increase justified after their playoff success?

👀 Which new arrival has impressed most in preseason — Nick Welsh, Thomas Caron, Jake Sacratini or Panu Mieho?

🏒 Has the Devils’ playing style changed?

💪 Have they assembled a complete roster?

😈 And after the push for increased revenue, should two trophies be the minimum expectation?

We also turn our attention to the Guildford Flames, discussing Cole Sanford, the new-look defensive core, squad depth and what the Flames can realistically achieve this season.

Finally find out who our 3 EIHL Dream Team fantasy hockey picks are from our respective teams.

We’re joined by Guildford fan Brian Greenwood for a full deep dive into the Guildford Flames season.
We kick things off by looking back at pre-season expectations and how the squad shaped up, before diving into the big questions—how do the Flames turn around their cup fortunes, and is the answer more preparation or an earlier start?
Despite some wobbles in the league, Guildford maintained their impressive record of never finishing below 6th in the Elite League—but was that enough, or a missed opportunity? Costly losses to Fife and Dundee ultimately proved the difference in the race for a top 4 spot.
In the playoffs, it was a tale of two performances—grit and fight at home, but a familiar softness in Sheffield that’s crept into too many big games this season.
We also break down the roster with a full imports deep dive—who stays, who goes, and what needs to change across the goalies, defence, and forwards.
Brian brings his knowledge of European leagues to the table, suggesting potential signings that could take the Flames to the next level.
We wrap things up with a quick-fire Q&A, covering:
• Favourite Guildford player of all time
• Best season and standout game
• Top away venue
• Toughest opposition and most disliked rival
• One thing that needs to change at the club
A must-listen for Flames fans as we close the book on the season and start looking ahead.

🔥 Playoff Agenda – New Episode 🔥

The EIHL playoffs are here and we’re breaking it all down. David Grant joins the show to give his insight into an exciting weekend of hockey.

🏒 Guildford vs Sheffield Preview

Both teams have been inconsistent this season, but are the Flames peaking at the perfect time with 10 wins from their last 12?

👀 Big Questions

• If Sheffield don’t win the playoffs… is that the end for Fox?

• Which players would you bring back next season?

📊 League Season Head-to-Head

Steelers wins: 4-3, 5-1, 4-3 (OT), 4-3 (SO), 6-3

Flames win: 2-1 (OT)

🩺 Playoff Health Check

Who’s hitting form at the right time… and who’s struggling heading into the postseason?

🔮 Predictions

Belfast vs Glasgow

Coventry vs Cardiff

Nottingham vs Manchester

🏆 And of course… our overall playoff champions.

Give it a listen and let us know your predictions 👇

In this episode we sit down with defenceman Zack Hoffman to talk through his hockey journey.

Hoffman reflects on being drafted in the Ontario Hockey League by the Erie Otters (the former team of Connor McDavid), his junior career with the LaSalle Vipers, Utah Outliers and Navan Grads where he picked up major honours including CCHL MVP, Defenceman of the Year and 1st Team All-Star.

We also discuss his university years with the Saint Mary’s Huskies alongside players like Nick Welsh, Mitchell Balmas, Stephen Johnson and Brett Neumann, and how COVID disrupted that stage of his career.

Turning pro with the Fayetteville Marksmen in the SPHL led to a long stretch in the ECHL, where he played 170+ games with the Wichita Thunder, Rapid City Rush and Bloomington Bison.

We also chat about his move to the UK with the Guildford Flames in the Elite Ice Hockey League — including his memorable debut scrap with Loren Ulett — before heading to Poland to join GKS Katowice alongside former Flames teammate Ian McNulty.

From the passionate Polish crowds to topping the league title and playing in the IIHF Continental Cup, Hoffman shares some brilliant stories from a season to remember.

🏒 Tune in now to hear about his career, life in different leagues, and what’s next for the summer and beyond.

In Episode 3 we turn our attention to the Dundee Stars and a season full of questions. Joined by Larzo host of A view from section C podcast.

With the Stars recently bought by the owners of the Glasgow Clan, we discuss what this could mean for the future of the club. Will the new ownership bring stability and investment, or could there be challenges running two teams in the same league?

We also talk about head coach Marc Lefebvre and the end of an impressive run of playoff appearances. Is this just a blip, or could it be time for a change behind the bench?

Another topic is the Stars’ roster construction this year. In previous seasons Dundee had physical players like Haas and Pouliot bringing toughness—has the lack of that edge affected their results? And what has really caused the season to derail: coaching, roster choices, or uncertainty around the club while it was up for sale?

Looking ahead, we discuss which players should return next season and what fans will want to see change under the new ownership.

Flames vs Stars

We also dive into the matchup with the Guildford Flames. Dundee have beaten the Flames both times they’ve visited the DIA—so why have Guildford struggled in Dundee?

We review the Flames’ season so far. Sitting around the middle of the table and not looking like a team pushing for a playoff final berth, is this simply where they are right now?

Despite not challenging for major trophies in recent years, the Flames have been one of the league’s most stable teams. Is that down to consistency in ownership and coaching?

Plus:

•Flames players who have stood out this season

•If Dundee could sign one Flames player, who would it be?

•Score predictions for the upcoming games

And finally, we make our predictions for the league winners, cup winners, and playoff champions this season.

All that and more in Episode 3.

🔥 EPISODE 2 – Guildford Flames Fan Special 🔥This week on The Hot Seat, we hand the mic to the fans.

Chris and Jamie join us to talk all things Guildford Flames — from the dominant title-winning years to life now battling as EIHL underdogs.

We cover:

• The recent departures of Kupsky & Gravelle

• How injuries have shaped the season

• Squad building – who was missed and what we lack

• Standout players and who must return next season

• Cup disappointment and whether the format needs changing

• The tight battle for playoff positioning• Predictions for the league, playoffs, and silverware

Plus our fan quickfire questions, including:🏒 Favourite player of all time🏒 Toughest and most skilful Flames players🏒 Favourite season, game, and rink🏒 Most disliked opposition and players🏒 What changes fans would make to the club and league

Real fans. Honest opinions. Proper hockey talk.🎧 Listen now on Spotify & Apple PodcastsThe fans. The opinions. The hot takes.

In this episode we’re joined for a deep dive into life behind the mic and behind the scenes at the Guildford Flames.

We chat about stepping into the commentary role in Guildford – how the opportunity came about, what preparation goes into every game night, and reflections on the Flames’ season so far. Who’s standing out? Who’s making the biggest impact? And what’s been the biggest surprise?

We also take it league-wide – discussing the teams we’ve enjoyed watching outside of Guildford, the players catching the eye, and early predictions for league winners and the playoffs.

On the international and NIHL front, we talk Team GB and the exciting crop of young talent being blooded into the squad. With Matt Robson now qualified, we debate dual nationals and what that means moving forward. Plus, which NIHL players could make the jump to the Elite League – and who would be the perfect fit to strengthen Guildford’s Brit core next season?

We round things off by celebrating nearly 15 years of Banners On The Wall – how it’s evolved, favourite moments, and what keeps it going.

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