5 May 2023
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.
