The best team guy you could wish for. Halds is back with MKL for 2020.
Continuing our theme of team continuity, we’re delighted to let you know that Hallden Barnes-Garner is returning to MK Lightning for 2020/21. An MK junior, he spent time developing his hockey in Slough and Austria playing in the Eastern European junior league as well as time with MK Thunder before joining MKL last year. MKL Head Coach Lewis Clifford places massive stock in the performance and function of the team as a unit and picks players who will contribute to the whole. Halds is exactly in this mould as Cliff explains: “Halds is one of the best team guys you [...]
Coach’s Player of the Year Brandon Stones is back between the pipes for 2020/21
Returning for a second season with Smith Recycling Milton Keynes Lightning is shot-stopper Brandon Stones who joined us at the beginning of last year from Sheffield. Brandon played 21 times for MKL, posting a .894 save percentage last season which was disrupted by an injury a couple of months into the schedule. Despite this, he was a tremendous presence in the locker room and around the club and won the Coach’s Player of the Year at the end of season awards. Nottingham born Stones played his junior hockey in that city before spells across Sheffield, Edinburgh and Coventry in the [...]
His shirt is staying down from the rafters as MKL legend Grant McPherson commits for one more year!
There will be no re-retirement of the famous MKL number 9, as club legend Grant McPherson has signed for the 2020/21 season. By very popular demand, Grant will be once again pulling on the Lightning jersey after last season reaching the tremendous milestone of 500 League games played for the team. He was also voted as the Players’ Player of the Year, emphasising his role in the team and the respect he has earned from his peers. G himself is pretty chuffed to sign saying: “I am delighted to be back in Lightning colours for the up and coming season. [...]
Edgars Bebris to add to Smith Recycling Milton Keynes Lightning attacking threat
We are delighted to reveal a brand new player for Smith Recycling Milton Keynes Lightning. Please welcome Edgars Bebris to the club. 28-year-old Bebris was born in Latvia but spent his junior development years in Sheffield so qualifies to play as a Brit. At 6’4” and 198lbs he brings a strong physical dimension to his attack and critically picks up a significant points haul. Last year he bagged 32 goals and 33 assists for 65 points in 50 games, and 46 minutes in penalties. This put him 15th in the overall league scoring table. Head Coach Lewis Clifford has [...]
Captain Russ Cowley to lead the team in 2020/21
After three D men, it’s time to add some more up front firepower to our squad. We’re delighted to say that this player brings goals and assists and is also is a true leader in our team to drive us forwards in our next campaign. Please welcome back your Captain, Russell Cowley. MKL Head Coach Lewis Clifford picks up the story: “This time last year when I signed Cowls I knew I was getting a top end performer at this level, and he did nothing but impress me week by week.” That meant a points haul of 16+37 for 53 [...]
GB Under 20 Assistant Captain Sam Russell to return to Smith Recycling Milton Keynes Lightning for 2020/21
Welcome back to Sam Russell whose return to UK hockey last year following a stint in North America the year before was spectacular, with him picking up international honours with GB Under 20s at the World Championships, establishing himself as a regular fixture in the MKL defence corps as well as a few shifts up front from time to time. That’s why we are delighted to see Sammy put pen to paper for 2020/21. This time last year, we were writing that this was to be a breakthrough year for Sam and he really stepped up and adjusted well in [...]
May…We Make A Difference
The amazing Milton Keynes Lightning Supporters Club have once again shown how much they care, and what they can do. Here's what they had to say: During what are tough and worrying times at the present, it's fair to say that there are a lot of people on the front line who are going above and beyond during this crisis. As a Supporters Club, we have always prided ourselves on supporting and championing good causes, so when some of our members approached us asking if it was possible to support the good work being done by the local hospital and [...]
Defenceman of the Year Leigh Jamieson commits for 2020/21
Following last week’s signing of James Griffin, we’re delighted to reveal a further strengthening of our defensive capabilities with the re-signing of last season’s Defenceman of Year Leigh Jamieson. A long-time servant of the club, 34-year-old Leigh celebrated his 500th league appearance for MKL towards the end of last season, as part of a career which also includes Elite experience and international honours at World Championships and Olympic qualifier levels. Leigh is MK born and raised and started his hockey career in the MK junior system playing for the Storm. He’s a dominant physical presence on the ice, with sharpshooting [...]
He hits hard, but his hands are silky. James Griffin is our second signing for 2020/21
We’re pleased to share with you Smith Recycling Milton Keynes Lightning’s second signing for the 2020/21 season. James Griffin – Griff - has committed to a sixth successive season in an MK shirt. 27 year old Oxford born Griff has been a hugely popular figure in the MKL team since his arrival, and brings speed, excitement and energy onto the ice along with great entertainment through his physical play. Last season, despite suffering from a couple of nasty injuries, he posted 8 goals and 10 assists and 72 penalty minutes in 35 games. He was our Assistant Captain and a [...]
Disco puts pen to paper for 2020/21
We're truly delighted to share with you our first signing news for the 2020/21 season. Hotshot forward Liam Stewart has put pen to paper for the club for next season and we couldn't be happier. 25-year-old Liam has had an extraordinary impact on and off the ice for Smith Recycling Milton Keynes Lightning since his arrival. He has scored 28 goals and 40 points in 27 games and has been a catalyst for the club's development from his very first game. Not only that, we love his personality and sense of humour off the ice, whether it's the role he [...]
