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 nights in the Cup, and give our thoughts on what we’ve liked and where we still think there’s room for improvement.There’s also the small matter of a new signing, as we discuss the arrival of Alex Lavoie and what he could add to the Flames.We each pick our Flame of the Month, talk through the current injuries, Dustyn McFaul and whether we could see any further changes to the roster, before looking ahead to a busy October.Plus, we take our first look around the rest of the EIHL and discuss the teams, players and early-season stories that have caught our attention.Eight games in. What have we learned so far?

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 first experience of European hockey in Romania and the season with Reading Royals that ultimately led to the opportunity to join the Flames this summer.We then get into life in Guildford, how the move came about, his relationship with Paul Dixon and what he’s made of the EIHL, his new teammates and the Flames fans so far.We also chat about the physical side of Jake’s game, why sticking up for his teammates is important to him, dropping the gloves and whether he actually enjoys fighting, before hearing his thoughts on the start the Flames have made to the season.Plus, Jake gives us the lowdown on the Flames locker room before facing the usual Heated Take quickfire questions.A great opportunity to get to know #59 and one of the newest members of the Flames D-core.

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 characters he played alongside and how different the club is today compared to the one he remembers as a player.Adam also talks really openly about being diagnosed with epilepsy, what that was like to deal with at a young age and the impact it had on his hockey.We then get into the story behind Legacy, how the business started and how Adam ended up working with the Flames again all these years later. We chat about how the jerseys and merchandise come together, some of his favourite designs, how Flames merch has changed over the years and what he and Legacy are working towards next.A really interesting chat with someone who has a pretty unique connection to the club, having gone from wearing a Flames jersey as a player to now being responsible for making them.

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 against Les Jokers, Bristol and Coventry, and preview a huge September as the new-look Challenge Cup gets underway.We also put our necks on the line with our predictions for the season — where Guildford will finish, how far we’ll go in the Cup, our top points scorer and the player we think could really stand out this year.Then, we hand over to the captain.Matt Alvaro joins us for a special pre-season check-in to reflect on last year, his own injury struggles, how he’s feeling heading into the new campaign and what he’s made of the new-look Flames.We talk recruitment, dressing-room chemistry, expectations, silverware and what Flames fans should be excited about — before putting Matt on the spot for his own predictions for the season.The talking is nearly done. Let’s play some hockey. 🔥🏒

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 and an incredible undefeated season at NAIT, before finding out how the move to Guildford came about in 2017.John looks back on that memorable first Flames season, the chemistry with Kruise Reddick and Ian Watters, playing alongside the likes of Jesse Craige, Calle Ackered and Brett Ferguson, the heartbreak of the 2019 Challenge Cup Final and his four seasons under Paul Dixon.We also talk about the COVID shutdown, his spell in Germany, returning to Guildford, moving to Glasgow Clan and why he’s still loving his hockey today with Bristol.Plus, with John set to return to the Spectrum during pre-season, we find out how he feels about coming back to Guildford and ask the most important question of all: just how much does he miss Meat the Greek?A proper trip down memory lane with one of the standout Flames of the early EIHL era. 🔥🏒