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A brand new relationship for MKL as Brioche Pasquier becomes our Official Engagement and Community Partner

This partnership has been baking in the oven for a while, and now it’s ready to serve. Introducing a brand new strategic relationship for the All In Black MK Lightning as Brioche Pasquier becomes our Official Engagement and Communities Partner.  Brioche Pasquier already plays a significant role in the Milton Keynes community through its relationship with MK Dons SET, and we’re thrilled that they are extending their sporting support by working with Lightning this year. Brioche Pasquier is a well-known, global brand, which has been operating in Milton Keynes since 2001 and started baking in 2014. Its range includes PITCH, one of the company’s most popular products, which are delicious brioche rolls with chocolate chips or filled with a smooth, hazelnut chocolate centre. They are perfect for on- the- go, a quick snack or as a treat in children’s lunch boxes. Speaking about the relationship, Amy Carey from Brioche Pasquier told us: “We are thrilled to support MK Lightning by fuelling the team and [...]

2020-10-15T13:00:25+01:00October 14th, 2020|
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We are now the All In Black Milton Keynes Lightning!

A huge welcome back, and in a new expanded role as our Official Team Partner and Title Sponsor, to All In Black as we proudly introduce our new team name: All In Black Milton Keynes Lightning. The team at All In Black have over 20 years of experience in the Security industry and their Head Office is based in Milton Keynes.  Their work focuses around three areas: Security Guarding, Training provider for People and Businesses and Security Systems We are thrilled that they are expanding and deepening their long-term relationship with the club.  They will continue to provide event safety and security services and are a Platinum Partner of MKL.  All In Black offers a range of guarding solutions to suit either long or short term projects anywhere in the UK and have shown tremendous responsiveness, adaptability and versatility to the ever changing world we live in today. The management of All In Black have a vast working experience of the security, recruitment and [...]

2020-10-07T17:45:51+01:00October 7th, 2020|
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Planning for a restart: Important Update from NIHL Teams

Representatives of the ten NIHL National teams met online recently to continue our ongoing series of planning sessions and we would like to update you on progress so far. We are pleased to confirm that we have all together agreed to set a target start date for the NIHL National league of 1st January 2021. In addition to this, there was collective agreement to aim to play hockey matches during late November and through December with a series of challenge games and a pre-season cup competition.  Details of the length of the regular season and the format of the cup competition and pre-season challenges will be shared once they are finalised. Having these dates in the diary gives the opportunity for teams to start to put in place the arrangements needed to safely and effectively return to play.  It is important to note that these are planning dates, and are subject to a number of points being resolved before teams can take to the [...]

2020-09-09T17:57:19+01:00September 9th, 2020|
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Top young prospect Callum Field signs with Milton Keynes Lightning

“Player progression is a vital part of our ethos of running the club” said Milton Keynes Lightning CEO Claire Eason-Bassett.  That’s why we are thrilled to introduce you to an exciting young prospect who is making his step up into senior hockey for the first time.  Please welcome Callum Field to MKL. Northampton born Callum turned 16 just a month ago, and spent the majority of last season training with the MKL squad.  He brings good size, athleticism and a high compete level which will stand him in great stead for the next part of his development.  So far in his career he has made appearances for Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Nottingham juniors as well as a couple of stints in the Ontario junior system in Canada. MK Lightning Head Coach Lewis Clifford told us about Callum: “He is a young man with a lot of potential to go a long way in the game, and we are looking forward to helping him develop [...]

2020-09-04T17:32:21+01:00September 4th, 2020|
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Power, points and presence in all 3 zones. Tomas Kana returns!

Goaltenders beware, the hardest shot is here once more as we welcome back last season’s top points scorer Tomas Kana for a second year in MKL colours. Czech born Tomas made 49 appearances last year, picking up 30 goals and 68 points in total, along with 133 minutes in penalties. 32-year-old Tomas brings back with him a hockey pedigree which includes appearances and points at the highest level.  He made his NHL debut in March 2010 for Columbus Blue Jackets, and picked up a couple of assists against Detroit a few games later.  He made his biggest mark that same year one league below as he picked up an impressive 15 goals and 28 points in 50 games for Syracuse in the tough AHL. Last year, as well as being our top points scorer, TK was a presence across all parts of the ice.  He showed great stick skills, physicality and a big presence on both the PK and PP as MK Lightning Head [...]

2020-08-27T21:45:29+01:00August 28th, 2020|
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Join our MK Lightning League in the NHL Bracket Challenge

Although we have to wait a little longer to see our boys on the ice, there is hockey to enjoy with the Stanley Cup Playoffs that start tomorrow at 3pm Eastern Standard Time (8pm in the UK). To get us in the hockey spirit and to give you the chance to win a $1,000,000 top prize, we've set up our own MK Lightning League as part of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket Challenge and we’d love you to join us. All you have to do is to head over to https://bracketchallenge.nhl.com/leagues/mk-lightning where you can create your account and signup  - all for free!  Your ‘bracket’ will automatically be submitted to the main competition where you could win $1,000,000 for a perfect match with the real results. But you need to be quick – all brackets have to be submitted by 8pm UK  time tomorrow before the puck drops on the first game. MKL CEO Claire gave some background as to how this has come [...]

2020-08-10T18:37:52+01:00August 10th, 2020|
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Harry’s over the moon to be back with MKL for another year

“Last season Harry was deservedly our most improved player, which is testament to the hard work he put in and the positive attitude he bought to the room, bench and ice every night.”  These are the words of MK Lightning Head Coach Lewis Clifford as he described our latest signing for 2020/21.  Please welcome back Harry Ferguson for his third MK Lightning season. 21-year-old Harry was born in Elgin the north of Scotland, and spent the early part of his career in Moray and Edinburgh, including over 70 Elite League games with Murrayfield / Edinburgh Capitals.  He spent a brief period in the New Zealand league before returning to the UK to Milton Keynes in Lightning’s final Elite League season, via a short stint in Peterborough.  Last year, he made 45 MKL appearances, picking up 12 goals and 12 assists, and 97 minutes in penalties. Cliff had this to say about last year’s performance from Harry saying: “It took us a while to get [...]

2020-08-18T11:59:40+01:00August 7th, 2020|
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NIHL National League: planning for a return to action

The management group representing the ten member teams of the National League have continued their Zoom meetings during the past 4 months, involving the EIHA’s Andrew Miller, to discuss the options in terms of resuming competitive hockey. The management group is a valuable forum for shared experiences and is being used to ensure a unified and consistent approach. All eyes are of course on the announcements from central and local government, Sport England, rink operators and again the EIHA in respect of relaxation of the restrictions and the slowly growing attendances allowed at public events and the required precautions and procedures. The ability for many rinks to be able to re-open “hopefully” 15th August is a welcome start and litmus test for the return to action planning. With that in mind the management group are to “meet” again around 29th August to discuss further, amongst other items:- Updates on potential start dates for the 20/21 season. Number of games to be played and competition [...]

2020-08-04T19:13:24+01:00August 4th, 2020|
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Deeper defensive dependability as Lewis Christie signs for 2020/21

With the Milton Keynes Lightning team nearing completion, we’re delighted to confirm the return of our defensive rock Lewis Christie for an 11th season in MKL colours.  30 year old Edinburgh born Lewy brings vast experience with him from a distinguished career across the British leagues and international representation at under 18 and under 20 level.  Last season he made 40 appearances picking up a goal and 6 assists in a season which started late when Lewy stepped into the roster as short term injury cover after which we could never let him go! Lewy is thrilled to be back in the squad for another year: “We have a really solid team this year so I am really looking forward to playing for the team.  After 11 years with the club it was an easy decision for me to make to sign with MKL.  I’m hoping that this season can start as soon as possible in these uncertain times and we can get a [...]

2020-07-31T17:02:25+01:00July 31st, 2020|
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Elegant puck moving defenceman Ed Knaggs returns to MK Lightning

In our third new arrival of the summer we are thrilled to see the return of a well-known and highly rated player to MK Lightning.  Please welcome back Ed Knaggs. 22 year old Hemel born Ed first appeared in a Lightning jersey in the 2014/15 season and despite his tender age has built great experience in the Elite League, NIHL and as a GB international at under 18 and under 20 level.  He joins us from Bracknell Bees where he spent last season, picking up 3 goals and 29 assists in 48 games – his most productive season yet in terms of points. With consistency the theme in MK Lightning Head Coach Lewis Clifford’s team building this year, we caught up with him to find out why this time he went outside and secured Knaggs’ services for this season: “There were a few areas I felt we needed to strengthen in at the end of last season.  A left handed puck moving defenceman was [...]

2020-08-18T12:00:41+01:00July 24th, 2020|
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