Press Release

He’s an exciting and dynamic young player and one of the hottest prospects in the NIHL, so we are delighted that Milique Martelly has committed to AIB MKL for 2022/23.  Milique joins us on a full MKL contract, with a 2 way in place with Streatham to allow him to appear for them when appropriate.   18 year old Milique started life as a roller hockey player, and first took to skates when he was just 18 months old.  He started playing competitive junior hockey around 8 years ago, and has developed quickly into one of the country’s top defensive prospects.     Alongside his 2 way with AIB MKL last year, he has spent his entire career so far with Streatham, Captaining the U15 and U18 sides and managed to pick up over a point per game through his career, even at senior level in the NIHL 1, where he’s scored 7 goals and 23 assists in 31 games.  This is thanks to his [...]

He’s one of the fastest players in the league and we are delighted that Rio Grinell-Parke is returning to MK and will be pulling on a Lightning jersey this upcoming season.  23 year old London born Rio last iced in a full season for the Lightning in 2019/20 when he appeared 45 times last year, amassing 13 goals and 29 points as well as 79 PIMs.  He moved to Raiders last year and suffered some interruption to his season due to injury, appearing 19 times and picking up 5 points.   He’s a favourite amongst many supporters for his work ethic, game impact and attitude, as well as his exceptional skating pace.  He’s fighting fit now and ready to get back out there to do his bit for the team. AIB MK Lightning’s Tim Wallace gave his view on Rio saying: “I crossed paths with Rio during my first stint with MK and was impressed by his work ethic and physicality. Rio can fly up [...]

Welcome back to top defenceman Ed Knaggs who is returning to AIB Milton Keynes Lightning for 2022/23.  Knaggsy didn’t score, but bagged 24 assists in league and playoffs last year putting him eighth in the AIB MKL scoring charts.   24 year old Knaggsy started life as an MK junior before progressing his career in the Bracknell system.  He made his Lightning debut in the 2014-15 season and played 2017-18 before spending some time at Peterborough and back in Bracknell.  He returned to MK in the 20/21 season.   Ed had this to say about his return: “I’m thrilled to be back in MK for the upcoming season playing in front of the best fans in the league. Looking at the squad Tim and Joe are putting together I’m sure we will be battling for every piece of silverware available. I can’t wait to meet up with the guys and get going in September!”   AIB MKL’s Tim Wallace said: “Ed Knaggs is top [...]

He’s always there for the team, and he is the Player’s Player of the Year. Please welcome back Hallden Barnes-Garner to AIB MK Lightning   MK local Halds grew up in the MK Storm junior system, then spent some time in Slough and Eastern Europe.  He then returned to MK to play for Thunder, before stepping up into Lightning for the 2019/20 season.  Halds had his most productive season in terms of points in 2021/22, bagging 4 goals and 8 assists in 43 games, and a crucial 3 goals and 4 assists in the playoff run to Coventry. Halds is delighted to be back in the MKL lineup, and had this to say: “I’m delighted to be re signing for Lightning again this year and hungry as ever. The end to last year was a tough pill to swallow but adds that extra motivation being so close to wanting it even more this year. After speaking to Tim I am really excited for this year [...]

Building out the All In Black MKL coaching team for 2022/23, we are delighted to welcome Joe Wilson as our Assistant Coach.   27 year old Joe had a playing career exclusively in Peterborough where he appeared at junior and NIHL2 level, before moving into coaching in 2017/18 as Assistant Coach of the Peterborough Phantoms NIHL 2 side.  Joe then moved to Chelmsford Chieftains as Head Coach in a role which he held for nearly 4 seasons before moving on in March 2022.   Joe also plays a key role in junior coaching and development, working alongside former MK King David Clarke as part of his hockey camp coaching team.  He’s a super energetic coach and person, who will bring a passion for coaching, development and analysis to AIB MKL and Joe was recommended for the role by people he has worked with before.   Speaking about Joe’s appointment, AIB MKL’s Tim Wallace has this to say: “Joe is someone who has been a [...]

Our sixth signing of 2022/23 brings back a young All In Black MK Lightning stalwart with Sam Russell returning to his hometown club.  Sam is working to get back to fitness following some surgery over the summer and is as dedicated and committed to his performance as ever! 21 year old Sam split his time between AIB MKL and Coventry last year, making 20 appearances for Lightning and 17 for the Blaze, a number of which came in the latter part of the season when he stepped up into their forward lines for a run of fixtures.  Traditionally a defenceman, Sam has shown that he’s more than capable of playing up front, where his combination of good skating athleticism and size make him great on the forecheck. All In Black MKL’s Tim Wallace picks up the story: “Sammy is a great talent and brings a number of strengths to our team.  I like his versatility and can see that once he’s back with us [...]

Our fifth signing of 2022/23 adds to our defensive core, bringing experience, skill and a huge work ethic.  Please welcome back Lewis Christie to All In Black MK Lightning! 32 year old Lewy was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and began his career with Dundee and Edinburgh before earning his first international call up with GB U18s for whom he iced 9 times.  Lewy then forged his career in the Elite League with Belfast Giants, and a brief stint in Basingstoke, before joining MKL in 2008.  He has remained with the MK hockey family since then, and made 38 appearances for Lightning in the 2021/22 season picking up a goal and 13 assists for his efforts. Lewy plays hard all game long, and is well known for his ability to close down opposition forwards, and for playing a critical role on the Penalty Kill where he will often take the first 60 seconds and make it disappear.  He’s a superb team player, and is relied [...]

Following a great debut season for AIB MKL, we are delighted that Callum Field is returning to the squad for 2022/23 and is looking forward to taking the next step in his hockey development. Northampton born Callum turns 18 later in the summer.  At 6 feet 5 inches tall, and 201lbs, he brings good size to his game, as well as pace and skill.  He’ll be building on his offensive threat which produced 5 points in his first year at NIHL National level. AIB MK Lightning’s Tim Wallace is very happy that Callum has put pen to paper: “I am really looking forward to working with Callum. He is a big kid with great speed, which is rare to have. He wants to get to the next level and if he puts in the work this could be a huge year for him.”  Callum too is pleased to be back and working with Tim.  He said: “I am delighted to have signed for MK [...]

He’s an absolute talent, combining speed, skill and a heart of gold.  Please welcome back Sean Norris to the 2022/23 Lightning team. 22 year old Sean was born in Ascot, and spent the early part of his career in the Bracknell junior system before spending a couple of seasons in the Czech republic at under 18 and under 20 level.  His UK breakthrough came as he moved into playing senior hockey for Slough Jets, picking up an impressive 35 goals and 79 points in just 24 games in the 2018/19 season, when he also made 19 appearances for MK Thunder picking up a further 11 points.  In 2019/20 he initially signed a 2 way for Slough and Basingstoke, before making the Bison his first priority for the rest of the season.  In that NIHL National season he picked up 30 points in 23 games. Last year for Lightning, Sean was phenomenal, picking up 37 goals and 48 assists in 59 games across League, Cup [...]

Tim Wallace is AIB MK Lightning’s Player Head Coach We are pleased to confirm that Tim Wallace will be returning to All In Black Milton Keynes Lightning as Head Coach, Player and Director of Player Personnel and Development for the 2022/23 Season.  Tim is sponsored by 123 Internet Group and we are hugely grateful for their support! The move to a Player Coach model follows a review of our hockey structure as MKL Director Jon Payne explains: “We have restructured our coaching team so that we can focus more heavily on player development and on-ice performance.  Having a player coach of Tim’s calibre allows us to combine his extensive experience as a player at the highest level and as head coach at the Elite level with two teams where he won the Elite Series.  He has played both with and against the best players in the world and has learnt from some of the best coaches in the game.  Not only that, Tim is [...]