The Heated Take - Unofficial Guildford Flames Podcast

Eight games down, so it feels like a good time for our first proper check-in of the 2026/27 season. Freddie, Rory and Will are back to look at the opening month of the Guildford Flames campaign and try to work out exactly where we are after September and the start of October. We run through the results so far, including impressive wins over Cardiff, Nottingham and Sheffield, some more frustrating...

This week we’re joined by one of the newest members of the Guildford Flames, defenceman Jake Willets. We get to know Jake and his journey into hockey, from growing up in Michigan and playing junior hockey in the NAHL, through four years of NCAA hockey with Ferris State and Lake Superior State, before making the step into the professional game. Jake talks about the reality of life in the ECHL, his...

This week we're joined by Adam Franks, founder of Legacy, the company behind the Guildford Flames jerseys, clothing and merchandise. Adam's connection to the Flames actually goes back much further than Legacy, having played for the club himself in the early years. We chat about how he first got into hockey, his memories of playing in Guildford, some of the best players and biggest characte...

Episode 26: Pre-Season Check-In with Matt Alvaro 🔥 The waiting is over. The roster is set, pre-season is done and competitive hockey is finally here. Freddie, Rory and Will are back for our final pre-season check-in before the Guildford Flames begin their 2026/27 campaign. We give our verdict on the final roster, discuss the summer’s arrivals and departures, look back at the pre-season games agai...

John Dunbar joins The Heated Take! 🔥 A fan favourite and one of the most productive players from the Guildford Flames’ early years in the Elite League, Dunbar takes us through a career that has seen him play across North America, Europe and the UK. We go back to his early days in Alberta, playing alongside future Stanley Cup champion Colton Parayko, winning back-to-back championships in Pensacola...

Guildford Flames legend Brett Ferguson joins The Heated Take. Across seven unforgettable seasons in Guildford, Brett racked up 362 points in 417 Elite League games , captained the club for four seasons and became one of the most respected players to ever wear a Flames jersey. We go right back to where it all began, from growing up in Saskatchewan and playing in the WHL alongside Ryan Nugent-Hopkin...

On this episode, we're joined by Guildford Flames netminder Justin Fazio to chat about one of the more unique journeys in hockey. From growing up in Sarnia, Ontario, to spending six years playing professionally in Italy and representing the Italian national team, Justin shares how his career eventually led him to Guildford. We look back at arriving as injury cover, how he went from being a sho...

With the new EIHL season getting closer, it's time for our mid-summer check-in on the Guildford Flames. We take a look at the roster as it stands, run through the new signings, discuss the players returning for another season, and chat about what we've made of the new boys so far. Has the squad levelled up? Is it too early to start booking the victory parade bus? And where do we think the...

On this episode, we're joined by Guildford Flames netminder Adam Long for an honest and fascinating chat about his journey through British ice hockey and what it's really like trying to establish yourself as a British goalie in the Elite League. Adam talks us through his career, from his early days in Peterborough to Manchester Storm and eventually Guildford, before sharing his thoughts on...

On this episode, we’re joined by Guildford Flames kit manager Matthew Simpson for a proper behind-the-scenes look at what really goes on around an Elite League hockey team. From game day preparation and player superstitions to forgotten jerseys and equipment disasters, Matt gives a brilliant insight into a side of hockey that fans rarely get to hear about. We also chat about his journey from Coven...

In Episode 19, we look back on the 25/26 season in full. From early expectations to where things ultimately landed, we break down the key moments that defined the year: the runs, the dips, and the big turning points. We get into what worked, what didn’t, and where this Guildford Flames side really stands heading into the offseason. We also pick out our standout performers, biggest surprises, and t...

In this episode of The Heated Take, we sit down with Guildford Flames defenceman Travis Brown. From being drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks to playing alongside NHL talent in the WHL, Travis takes us through his journey from Canada to the pro game, across North America and Europe, and into the EIHL. We discuss his move to Guildford, stepping into a leadership role, and his recent Team GB call-up,...

In Episode 17, we’re joined by Rory as he officially joins The Heated Take team, and we take a step back to look at where the Guildford Flames really stand heading into the final stretch of the season. We break down the last 20 games, name our Flame of the Quarter, and get into some big talking points around the club including the departures of Kupsky and Gravelle, Travis Brown making Team GB, and...

In episode 16 of The Heated Take, Will sits down with one of the best players to ever wear a Guildford Flames jersey. He was an Elite League All Star and our first ever EIHL captain: it’s Jesse Craige. Jesse looks back on his early days in hockey, his time with the University of Alberta ‘Golden Bears’, his move to Europe and his three seasons with Guildford. Jesse talks about the highs and lows of...

In this episode of The Heated Take, we sit down with Guildford Flames forward Jamal Watson for an honest and wide-ranging conversation about the journey behind the career. From growing up in Alberta and captaining in the WHL, to his USports years at Mount Royal, a stint in the SPHL, and building a pro career across the UK, Austria, and Germany, Jamal’s path hasn’t followed the typical North Americ...

In episode 14 of The Heated Take, Will sits down with a true Flames icon. His jersey hangs in the rafters at The Spectrum. It’s none other than former Player/Coach, Head Coach and GM, Stan Marple.  Stan reminisces on his early days in hockey, his move to the UK, his 10 years with Guildford and his current role as GM of the Golden Bears at the University of Alberta. Stan also shares his insights on...

In Episode 13 of The Heated Take, Freddie and Fiona sit down with Guildford Flames COO Kirk Humphreys for an open and wide-ranging conversation about the club, the league, and the questions Flames fans care about most. Kirk reflects on his journey from growing up in Alberta to playing for the Flames, before moving off the ice into senior leadership. We talk about the realities of running a profess...

It’s Clan From the Stands podcast takeover as we are joined by Ross, Phil and Colin. We react to a weekend of extremes for Clan — a disappointing home defeat to the Blaze followed by a statement demolition away in Dundee. We assess the season so far, asking whether cup progress hides a worrying league drop-off, if Clan are underachieving with 5th the realistic ceiling, and where the pressure from...

Panthers Podcast – Episode Preview Fresh off Conti Cup glory, it’s a big one in Panthers land. We break down what that win means, how the tournament unfolded, and why Nottingham are right in the mix for a potential Grand Slam. With the league shaping up as a genuine three-horse race, confidence is high, but challenges remain. We look ahead to a mouth-watering Cup semi-final against the Steelers an...

Freddie, Will, Dean and Fiona break down a packed schedule that included statement wins away in Nottingham, gritty one goal battles against Cardiff, and a frustrating home defeat to the Devils that left players and fans baffled by a disallowed goal and a lack of clarity from the officials. The panel reacts to how that moment felt in the building, how it shifted the game, and why communication stil...

Episode 11: Michael Crocock Interview This week on The Heated Take, we sit down with Guildford Flames fan favourite Michael Crocock. Mike opens up about what life looks like after playing, what he is up to these days, and why coaching from the bench can be even tougher than being out on the ice. We talk about the challenge of watching games unfold when all you want to do is jump over the boards an...

This week, we put the spotlight firmly on the Welsh giants as the Cardiff Devils take centre stage. We break down a Devils roster stacked with bite, skill, and depth, including two reliable netminders and a lineup built to play any style. But after a shock early exit from the Challenge Cup and no Continental Cup distraction, is the pressure now firmly on league and playoffs? The Devils have taken...

Episode 10 of The Heated Take is here and it’s packed with opinion, debate, and Flames insight. Freddie, Dean, and Will break down a wild run of form for Guildford, including momentum swings, resilience, and what the recent results really say about this team. The lads dive into the Belfast away doubleheader from an in-person perspective, hand out Player of the Month honours, and run through the la...

In this episode of The Heated Takeover , we break down one of the most intriguing EIHL matchups of the season, Guildford Flames vs Belfast Giants, with special guest Patrick Smyth , host of the Giants’ own podcast A View From the Bridge . Belfast haven’t looked as dominant as in past years, especially against the Flames. We dig into why teams may be approaching them differently, their uneven Chall...

In Episode 9, we sit down with Guildford Flames forward Jack Jacome for a brilliant deep-dive into his hockey story, from growing up in Caledon and dominating junior hockey, to captaining Clarkson University and making the jump to pro in Europe. Jack talks us through: His upbringing in a hockey family A standout 91-point junior season and winning OJHL MVP Leadership, awards, and development at Cla...