lifestack MK Lightning is proud to announce a significant investment into MK Storm, strengthening the junior hockey pathway that will develop the Milton Keynes players of tomorrow.
The investment supports a key appointment being made by MK Storm, funding a new Hockey Director role to lead the junior programme.
At the heart of this is the appointment of Joe Wilson as Hockey Director. Joe takes charge of the technical direction of junior hockey in MK, leading coaching standards, driving player development, and shaping the structure of the pathway from Learn to Play through to the senior game. He’ll set the coaching philosophy across the age groups, identify and nurture young talent, and build a consistent, progressive approach that carries players through the MK system.
The role will also see Joe work directly with the senior men’s and women’s hockey teams in Milton Keynes, connecting the junior and senior game to support genuine end-to-end pathways. This close collaboration will allow player development to be tailored to each individual, in line with their potential and their own ambitions, so that every young player has a clear route to progress as far as their talent and desire can take them.
Joe brings an outstanding pedigree to the role. Most recently Assistant Coach at MK Lightning, where he was part of the NIHL Cup-winning side of 2023/24 and the Playoff Championship side of 2025/26, he has also served as Assistant Coach with GB Men’s Under 16s and as a coach with England U14s, giving him first-hand experience of developing the country’s best young players. He has been a lead coach with the renowned Clarke & Co Hockey Clinics for over a decade, has worked alongside elite-level coaches including time spent with the Nottingham Panthers, and has continued his own development through the NHL Coaches’ Association mentorship programme. It’s a role that reflects the ambition of both clubs, and in Joe it has someone with the experience, drive, and deep knowledge of the MK system to lead it forward.
MK Lightning Director Tom Roberts said: “Joe is a hockey person through and through. His dedication to developing the game is clear in everything he does, from his work in hockey camps and with junior national teams, and now into this leadership position in MK. I’m delighted that Joe is coming back into the MK hockey family.”
Joe Wilson said: Very excited for the new opportunity to work with the MK junior setup. Player development has always been at the heart of my coaching philosophy. For me, it’s about much more than simply coaching a player for the team they are currently in, it’s about helping every player develop, challenge themselves and have a clear pathway to progress through the different levels of the game.  From my conversations with Tom and the Storm committee, it quickly became clear that we all share the same vision: bringing the MK junior teams together through one strong partnership, creating a connected programme and, most importantly, a clear development pathway for every player. Having spent the last four seasons working with MKL, I’ve had the opportunity to see the MK junior setup first-hand and understand both the strengths and the opportunities that exist within the programme. I’m really looking forward to building on the foundation that exists and helping create an exciting future for hockey in Milton Keynes.
George Gavriel, MK Storm Chairperson, said: “Joe is the ideal person to lead this next chapter for junior hockey in Milton Keynes. His experience, knowledge of the MK hockey community and genuine passion for developing players make him a fantastic fit for the role. Joe’s appointment gives us an opportunity to strengthen the links between MK Storm, MK Lightning and the other senior clubs in MK, creating a more connected pathway for players from junior hockey into the senior game. We’re delighted to have Joe leading that work and excited about what we can build together.”
This appointment marks a real step forward for junior hockey in MK. By investing in leadership and coaching, MK Lightning and MK Storm are working side by side to give every young player the best possible start, and to build a pathway that keeps the best local talent developing right here in MK.
We can’t wait to see what Joe and everyone involved in the junior programme achieve in the seasons ahead.
