Milton Keynes Lightning
Milton Keynes Lightning | |
---|---|
City | Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire |
League | EIHPL |
Founded | 2002 |
Home arena | The MK Arena |
Colors |
White, Black & Blue |
General manager | Nick Poole |
Head coach | Peter Russell |
Captain | Adam Carr |
Affiliates |
Coventry Blaze Milton Keynes Thunder Milton Keynes Storm |
Website | mk-lightning.com |
Franchise history | |
2002 – present | Milton Keynes Lightning |
Championships | |
Regular season titles | 3 (03/04, 04/05 & 09/10) |
Playoff championships | 4 (02/03, 03/04, 04/05 & 05/06) |
The Milton Keynes Lightning are a semi-professional ice hockey team from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, currently playing in the EPIHL. The team was founded in 2002 to replace the Milton Keynes Kings; who had departed Milton Keynes for Solihull at that time. Their home rink is the refurbished and renamed MK Arena; known locally as the Thunderdome. It has a capacity of circa 2,500.
Club history
Foundation
Founded in 2002, MK Lightning moved into the empty space left by the departure of the Milton Keynes Kings. The MK Kings were involved in a dispute with rink operators Planet Ice, which led to their relocation to Solihull in May 2002.[1] There they became the Solihull MK Kings before being wound up in April 2003, after a single season.[2]
2002–2006: The Early Years
The demise of the Ice Hockey Superleague in 2002/03 led to major restructuring of Ice Hockey in the UK. The Milton Keynes Lightning became a founding member of the new Elite Ice Hockey League but competed in the lower English Premier Ice Hockey League. The first Lightning squad was made up of local players and three Canadian imports, Nick Poole as Player Coach, Claude Dumas, and Dwayne Newman. Lightning finished their maiden season in 2nd place, behind Peterborough Phantoms. The two teams met again in the playoff final, with Lightning winning. A rivalry quickly grew between them as they continued to dominate EPL Ice Hockey,[3] MK Lightning were crowned league champions in 2003/04 & 2004/05 as well as dominating the Playoffs until 2006.
2006–2008: League Struggle
2006/07 saw Lightning struggle for the first time. A lack of new players, predictable tactics & an improved opposition being the main drivers. The team ended the season in 5th place[4] & were eliminated from the Playoffs in the first round.[5] 2007/08 saw the situation worsen, with a league finish of 6th. This resulted in a roster overhaul for the new season.[6]
2008–2010: A Return to Success
The Lightning squad for 2008/09 included several experienced ex-Elite League players, young British talent & new European imports. After a slow start the team dominated the second half of the season & finished runners-up behind Peterborough.[7] They then met again in the playoff final with the Phantoms winning the encounter.[8] Lightning became the team to beat in 2009/10, despite Elite league Basingstoke Bison & Manchester Phoenix joining the EPIHL. Further squad strengthening helped Lightning dominate & a home win against Swindon Wildcats in March 2010 saw the EPIHL league trophy return to Milton Keynes.
2010–2015: Near Misses, Unexpected Changes & Disappointment
An inconsistent 2010/11 saw Lightning finish 5th in the league and lose the play off final to Guildford Flames. 2011/12 fared no better, with the team again finishing 5th; having led the league in December. The team lost in the playoff quarter finals to eventual winners Slough Jets, despite taking a three-goal lead into the away leg. The 2012/13 season brought upheaval when in January 2013 Nick Poole unexpectedly announced his immediate retirement from playing. Lightning finished in 4th place and lost to Guildford Flames in the play off semi-finals, despite arguably playing the better hockey. The disruption continued in 2013/14 as home games were played in Coventry due to the renovation of the Milton Keynes rink. Due to a lack of practice ice time, the team struggled for consistency but finished in a credible 4th place. They were also the runners up to Basingstoke Bison in the cup. The 2014/15 season started with Lightning continuing to play out of Coventry. Indifferent early form left the team languishing near the bottom of the league. The refurbishment of the Milton Keynes rink was completed a month into the season and the first game back on home territory was played on the 18th October 2014 against Sheffield Steeldogs in front of a capacity crowd of 2,500. Despite the return to home ice; Lightning continued to perform poorly. The loss of key players through roster changes and a series of injuries increased pressure on an already struggling team saw Lightning finish the season in 7th place, their lowest ever position. Despite poor league performances, Lightning defeated Guildford in the playoff quarter finals before losing to Manchester Phoenix in the semi final game.
2015–2016: Management Change & Coventry Blaze Partnership
At the end of the 2014/2015 season it was announced to the surprise of the fans and players that head coach Nick Poole would take over the duties of General Manager from Vito Rausa and be replaced by Team GB coach Peter Russell. This was shortly followed by the announcement in May 2015 that Milton Keynes Lightning would be forming a partnership with Elite League side the Coventry Blaze.[9] The 2015/16 season also saw a change from the traditional white, black, and gold colours to a white, black, and blue combination which reflected the sponsorship of local company Smith Recycling. Despite a promising start, the season ended with MKL managing just a slight improvement on their previous years final position, finishing 5th. Lightning went on to qualify for the Play Off final, losing to Guildford Flames 6-2. At the end of the season it was also announced that from the start of the 2017-2018 season, Milton Keynes Lightning would play in the Elite Ice Hockey League.
Logo history
-
2002 - 2014
-
2014 – Present
-
Adam Carr Testimonial Logo - 2015
-
Grant McPherson Testimonial Logo - 2016
Arena Redevelopment
In March 2013, Milton Keynes Council approved plans to redevelop the Leisure Plaza after failed attempts in 2006 & 2011. The development of the arena was funded by Morrisons Supermarkets and took 17 months to complete. This forced Lightning to play their home games at the Coventry Sky Dome during the 2013/2014 season & part of the 2014/2015 season. The team returned to the redeveloped rink which had been renamed the "MK Arena" on 18 October 2014 against Sheffield Steeldogs, in front of a sell out crowd in excess of 2,500.
Club honours
- EPIHL League: 3
- Winner (3): 2004, 2005, 2010
- Runner-up (2): 2003, 2009
- EPIHL Playoffs: 4
- Winner (4): 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
- Runner-up (2): 2009, 2011, 2016
- EPIHL Cup: 0
- Runner-up (4): 2003, 2007, 2010, 2014
Club Roster
Netminders | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Nat. | Player | Catches | Date of birth | Place of birth | Acquired | ||||
29 | James Hadfield | L | 4 October 1992 | Sheffield | 2015 from Guildford Flames | |||||
Defencemen | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Nat. | Player | Shoots | Date of birth | Place of birth | Acquired | ||||
15 | James Griffin confirmed for 2016/17 | R | 8 April 1993 | Swindon | 2015 from Coventry Blaze | |||||
19 | Leigh Jamieson - Alternate | R | 30 July 1985 | Milton Keynes | 2009 from Coventry Blaze | |||||
21 | Ross Green | R | 19 February 1992 | Chelmsford | 2008 from Milton Keynes Storm | |||||
55 | Michael Farn confirmed for 2016/17 | L | 23 June 1988 | Durham | 2009 from Swindon Wildcats | |||||
66 | Lewis Christie | R | 30 August 1989 | Edinburgh | 2008 from Belfast Giants | |||||
77 | Martti Jarventie | L | 4 April 1976 | Tampere, Finland | 2015 from HPK (Finland) |
Forwards | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Nat. | Player | Shoots | Date of birth | Place of birth | Acquired | ||||
8 | Blaz Emersic | L | 10 October 1980 | Ljubljana, Slovenia | 2010 from Slough Jets | |||||
9 | Grant McPherson - Alternate | R | 3 March 1987 | Stirling | 2006 from Edinburgh Capitals | |||||
10 | Bobby Chamberlain confirmed for 2016/17 | R | 16 March 1995 | Hull | 2015 from Manchester Phoenix | |||||
11 | Lewis Hook | L | 18 August 1996 | Peterborough | 2014 from Peterborough Phantoms | |||||
18 | Adam Carr - Captain confirmed for 2016/17 | R | 15 June 1984 | Durham | 2003 from Isle of Wight Raiders | |||||
83 | Frantisek Bakrlik | L | 2 June 1983 | Litvinov, Czech Republic | 2015 from Bracknell Bees | |||||
95 | Jordan Cownie confirmed for 2016/17 | L | 1 August 1995 | Dundee | 2015 from Braehead Clan | |||||
TBC | Tom Carlon confirmed for 2016/17 | R | 18 February 1987 | Telford | 2016 from Abu Dhabi Storms (UAE) | |||||
TBC | Craig Scott confirmed for 2016/17 | R | 9 July 1991 | Lockport, Canada | 2016 from Peterborough Phantoms | |||||
2 Way Players | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Nat. | Player | Shoots | Date of birth | Place of birth | Acquired | ||||
5 | Edward Knaggs (2 way MK Thunder) | L | 13 May 1998 | Hemel Hempstead | 2014 from Milton Keynes Thunder | |||||
14 | Luc Johnson (2 way MK Thunder) | L | 21 July 1997 | Blackburn | 2015 from Okanagan Hockey Academy | |||||
58 | David Clements (2 way Coventry Blaze) | R | 20 September 1994 | Coventry | 2015 from Ogden Mustangs (USA) | |||||
72 | Glen Billing (2 way MK Thunder) | L | 28 May 1997 | Romford | 2015 from Okanagan Hockey Academy |
Statistical Records
Top ten appearances
- League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2015/16 season
Top ten points scorers
- League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2015/16 season
Top ten goal scorers
- League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end 2015/16 season
Top ten goal assists
- League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2015/16 season
Top ten penalty minutes
- League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2015-16 season
Top ten points to game ratio
- League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2015/16 season (Players with under 20 appearances not included)
Top ten goals to game ratio
- League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2015/16 season (Players with under 20 appearances not included)
Top ten assists to game ratio
- League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2015/16 season (Players with under 20 appearances not included)
Top ten penalty minutes to games ratio
- League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2015/16 season (Players with under 20 appearances not included)
Top ten save percentages
- League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2015/16 season (Players with under 10 appearances not included)
NHL Drafted Milton Keynes Lightning Players
Season-by-season record
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Associated teams
- Coventry Blaze - Development Partnership
- Milton Keynes Thunder
- Milton Keynes Storm
References
- ↑ "MK Kings live on in Solihull". Milton Keynes Citizen. May 2002.
- ↑ "Solihull MK Kings finally call it a day", Milton Keynes Citizen, April 2003]
- ↑ "Phantoms Renew Lightning rivalry", Peterborough Telegraph, September 2007
- ↑ "English Premier League final table", Milton Keynes Citizen, March 2007
- ↑ "Lightning win proves to be all in vain", Milton Keynes Citizen, April 2007
- ↑ "Lightning Set for New Term Face Off", Milton Keynes Citizen, September 2008
- ↑ "Players are positive after great finish to the season, Milton Keynes Citizen, April 2009
- ↑ "Lightning fall at the final hurdle, Milton Keynes Citizen, April 2009
- ↑ Tracey Richardson (2015-05-01). "MKL & Blaze announce development partnership". Milton Keynes Lightning. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
External links
Preceded by Invicta Dynamos |
EPIHL Playoff Champions 2002–2006 |
Succeeded by Bracknell Bees |
Preceded by Peterborough Phantoms |
EPIHL Champions 2009–2010 |
Succeeded by Manchester Phoenix |
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