Milton Keynes Lightning are proud to announce that James Griffin will return to the club for the 2025/26 season. Fresh off a campaign that saw him lift the Playoff trophy and celebrate his Testimonial year, Griffin brings back his trademark blend of physical play, speed, and goal-scoring flair to the Lightning blue line. A true leader both on and off the ice, his presence in the dressing room and on the rink will once again be pivotal as the team eyes more silverware this season. Last season, Griffin scored the opening goal in the Playoff Final in Coventry, setting [...]

Milton Keynes Lightning are pleased to announce the acquisition of Finnish right-winger Janne Jokinen ahead of the 2025/26 season. The 25‑year‑old arrives from six seasons in Finland’s highly competitive Mestis league, most recently captaining Hokki, and brings proven offensive production, and a hard-nosed playing style. In the 2024–25 season alone he posted 9 goals and 15 assists over 49 games.  Over his Mestis tenure, Jokinen has demonstrated versatility, competing in all game situations — even strength, power play, and penalty kill. Janne said “Nice to get new experiences after five Mestis seasons, I feel that MK Lightning is a good place [...]

Milton Keynes Lightning are delighted to announce the signing of dynamic forward Illia Korenchuk for the 2025/26 season. Renowned for his explosive speed and powerful shot, Korenchuk is set to thrill Lightning fans and bring an imposing physical edge to the ice. Illia joins MKL from Zagłębie Sosnowiec in Poland, where he recorded 9 goals and 20 assists in 40 games last season. He's also represented Ukraine at the International level since 2019, and at this year’s World Championships, scored 2 goals in 6 international appearances. Born in Ukraine, the 30-year-old forward has built much of his career playing [...]

Milton Keynes Lightning is delighted to confirm that Archie Salisbury will continue with the club for year two of his two year contact signed in 24/25. Eighteen-year-old Archie Salisbury joined Milton Keynes Lightning for the 2023/24 season, making the move from the Peterborough Phantoms. In his first full  season with MKL, Archie recorded 1 goal and 3 assists, totalling 4 points, along with 65 penalty minutes – showcasing both his physical presence and growing confidence on the ice. Archie also earned international recognition, representing Great Britain at the U20 level during the season. Speaking about his return, Archie said:"I [...]

Milton Keynes Lightning are excited to announce the signing of centre/right-wing Dawson Osborn for the 2025/26 season.  A Haywards Heath native, Dawson (born 3 August 2004) joins the squad from the Tampa Bay Juniors in the USPHL Premier, where he enjoyed a highly productive year, participating in 41 games and tallying 12 goals and 30 assists for a total of 42 points.  Standing 6’1″ and weighing 185 lbs, he brings a unique combination of skill, tenacity, and on-ice intelligence. Head Coach Tim Wallace commented on the acquisition: “Dawson is a strong skater with skill and creativity, but what really [...]

Milton Keynes Lightning are delighted to announce the signing of forward Austin Osborn for the 2025/26 season. The 20-year-old forward arrives back in the UK after developing his game in North America for the past 3 seasons USPHL Premier.  Osborn, who stands at 6’1” and weighs 183 lbs, hails from Haywards Heath and began his hockey journey in Scotland with Inverness before continuing his development with the Guildford Flames Juniors. Head Coach Tim Wallace is excited to add Osborn to his roster, stating: “Austin is a big, strong player who skates well and does a great job protecting the [...]

Milton Keynes Lightning is delighted to announce the signing of defence stalwart Joshua Saunders, who joins the club ahead of the 2025/26 season. A commanding presence on the blue line, Saunders brings elite experience and a proven track record of strong performances in the UK’s top-tier leagues. Saunders, born in Edinburgh on 27 February 2006, stands at 183 cm and weighs 84 kg. Most recently skating for the Dundee Stars in the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL), he appeared in 7 league games this past season, contributing solid defensive play.  His EIHL debut was for the Fife Flyers further showcased his adaptability [...]

Milton Keynes Lightning is delighted to confirm that goaltender Jordan Hedley will continue with the club for year 2 of his two year contact signed in 24/25. Jordan, born in Walsall and developed through the Milton Keynes youth system, has established himself as a prominent figure in British ice hockey. Known for his reliability and commanding presence in net, the 191 cm goaltender recorded a .904 save percentage during the regular season. He was also instrumental in securing our playoff victory in Coventry this past April. Speaking about his return, Hedley said:"I can’t wait to be back for this [...]

Milton Keynes Lightning are thrilled to announce the return of tough-as-nails defenceman Jordan Spadafore for the 2025/26 NIHL National season. A fan favourite thanks to his tenacious play, relentless energy, and unwavering grit, Spadafore is poised to sharpen MKL’s physical edge on the blue line. Joining MKL last season, the 24-year-old Canadian proved his worth through sheer work‑rate and determination. Across 48 appearances, he contributed 5 goals and 32 assists, totaling 37 points, while racking up 109 penalty minutes—a testament to his physical presence and commitment to the team’s hard-hitting identity. Spadafore, reflecting on his return, shared: “Last season, [...]