Press Release

We are ‘Game On’ for September.  Things are starting to move...here's the latest from the NIHL Owners Group. The end of March saw the conclusion of the Spring Cup which was a fantastic online showcase of hockey, great entertainment and a deserved overall victory for the Sheffield Steeldogs.  Congratulations to all involved. The five clubs who participated looked carefully at the options to continue playing into April and May, but have decided that this is not possible. We would like to thank our fans, rink operators, EIHA and Andrew Miller for their support in making the Spring Cup a success. Following on from that series, the NIHL Owners Group has been working together and has agreed that we are now planning and preparing to play the 2021/22 season.  This is a great moment as we start to move on from survival mode into taking the steps back towards more normality in our game. To the owners, it feels like cooperation and communication between us [...]

The NIHL National owners group has tonight released an update on an upcoming series of games which will be played during February and March.  AIB MK Lightning was very much part of the planning and discussion of these fixtures, but we have decided not to take part in these games. We can see there are a number of benefits in these games taking place, but for us we would prefer to focus on our long term strength and sustainability with a view to participating in the full Season return to play we hope to see in September.  We’ll maintain our close working relationship with the NIHL National owners group and will work out with them what role if any we’d like to play in phase 2 in April/May.  Right now we’re not ruling this in or out. Returning to play is something we desperately want.  It’s not just the return of players to the ice which is important, but the ability for everyone to [...]

As we prepare for the first game of the Streaming Series we’d like to share with you some updates to our roster. Working with our players and coaching staff over the last few weeks as we have been preparing for the games, we took a straightforward view: everyone has different circumstances and perspectives to their personal life and there would be a free choice for anyone on our team as to whether they would like to be involved in the series. We worked through this with each player, Cliff and Ross to understand what they wanted to do and how we could support this. Four of our fantastic players have decided that this series is not for them and we fully support and respect their decisions.  Let’s be clear, each of these players are a fully valued member of the MK Lightning hockey family, and continues to be on our roster and part of our squad going forward - they just won’t be part [...]

Following on from yesterday's league news about the Streaming Series, we're delighted to share with you the design for the jersey we will wear for these games. Incorporating a strong lightning bolt design and featuring the logo of our Official Team Partner All In Black along with the Zeus logo, the white design looks fresh and clean and gives fans the opportunity add a different coloured shirt to their collection.  They will be worn for the Streaming Series games.  Should we move into playing a regular season, we will launch the usual set of light, dark and warm-up and the Supporters' Club will be in touch about own and loan arrangements. For the game worn versions of these shirts the Supporters Club will be running a series of raffles to give you the chance to win. Details will be announced in the next few days. If you'd like to order a replica, see below or head over to our online shop and pick one [...]

The NIHL National owners group has been collaborating extensively over the last few weeks, and working with the EIHA and rink operators towards the objective of getting our game back on the ice. We would like to put on record our thanks to the EIHA, Planet Ice, Ice Sheffield and GLL Better Leisure for the support of our clubs during this critical phase of our season planning. We’re delighted to share that we have created a small pilot series of games which will take place in November, so that we can gather information to feed into planning for a competitive season launch in early 2021. This is how it’s planned to look: 3 teams: Milton Keynes Lightning, Sheffield Steeldogs and Swindon Wildcats No fans in-person attendance. Games will all be streamed on a high quality platform, with a broadly consistent experience across all fixtures and venues.  Tickets will be priced at £12, with a family ticket on an optional basis at £3 per additional [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]