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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Season Ticket Direct Debit Scheme: Clarification of Dates

Thanks for all of your wonderful support in buying Season Tickets for the 2020/21 season.  As we have got into setting up all the Direct Debits, we have finalised some of the cutoff dates for each of the payment schemes.   As a reminder, seats are not confirmed until the Direct Debit is set up (the link is included in your booking email) that you need to click through and setup the Direct Debit. As you may have read, we offer Direct Debits with a payment up front then 5, 4, or 3 Direct Debit payments depending on when you sign up for the scheme.  There are some important dates you need to know in buying your ticket to get set up with the number of payments you wish.  These are as follows: If you wish to pay 1 month upfront, then 5 monthly payments in June, July, August, September and October you must purchase your ticket and set up your Direct Debit online [...]

2020-05-22T09:34:00+01:00May 12th, 2020|
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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 NHS as a whole, we decided to do something. Milton Keynes Lightning and the MKL Supporters Club are delighted to help launch “May...We Make A Difference”, a campaign in May to say thank you to our wonderful NHS and to help raise funds for the local hospital through the Milton Keynes Hospital Charity (https://www.mkhcharity.org.uk/ ) The SC will be producing a range of merchandise [...]

2020-08-18T12:00:41+01:00May 3rd, 2020|
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NIHL GIVE UPDATE ON CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES FINALS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL

National Ice Hockey League press release The EIHA/NIHL had planned to deliver a number of events through April which are now postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. These NIHL Championship Series events are: NIHL National Final Four due to be held in Coventry on 17th and 18th April NIHL Division 1 Finals due to be held in Sheffield and Bracknell on 11th and 12th April NIHL Division 2 Finals due to be held in Widnes and Alexandra Palace on 4th and 5th April Discussions are ongoing amongst the league and venues in regard to the next step for these events. Once a decision has been reached, information will then be sent to all ticket holders in regard to any rearranged dates or refunds. We would ask at this time that you do not contact any of the venues for a refund while these provisions are made. Due to the truly unprecedented and unique circumstances faced, there is understandably a tremendous backlog of administrative work caused through the cancellation of numerous league, playoff [...]

2020-03-20T10:35:57+01:00March 20th, 2020|
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Update on Ticket Refunds

Refunds are now being processed for the match vs. Telford on 21st March as follows: 1) Online sales: these will be automatically refunded and should be with you within 10 working days 2) Telephone and over-the-counter sales: please call the Planet Ice Box Office on 01908 540020 to arrange your refund. Please have your Booking Confirmation (found under the barcode on your tickets "YOUR TICKET REFERENCE NUMBER IS ORDER NUMBER: #6***) and email address to hand. In line with Government advice on limiting social interactions, please telephone the rink to arrange for the refund to be processed in the first instance. Do not go to the rink - should any face to face interaction be required regarding the refund - this will need to be arranged individually when you speak to them. For Playoff Finals weekend in Coventry, this event is not under MKL's management but we will continue to try and gain clarity for you as to what is happening for people who [...]

2020-03-19T16:06:55+01:00March 19th, 2020|
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Postponing fixtures to manage COVID-19 risk

In the early hours of this morning, Leeds Chiefs released a statement regarding the postponement of today's fixture.  We'd like to give further details as to why this has occurred. Immediately after last night's game, our players had a team discussion and then requested a meeting with the MK Ice Hockey Club Board to let us know that they had clear and genuine concerns regarding the risks that continuing to play hockey this season is putting on them and their families. We met with our Captain and Coaches after the game to consider and discuss the risks that the Covid-19 pandemic is presenting.  Although there is currently no governmental restriction on the fixture, as employers we have a duty of care to the physical and mental health of our staff and their families.  Our view is that this means we should not play in Leeds today and it is our view that the league competition should be suspended immediately.  In detail, our reasons are [...]

2020-03-15T08:20:39+01:00March 15th, 2020|
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Robin Kovar signs for the rest of the season

Robin Kovar signs for the rest of the season We're delighted the share the news that Robin Kovar has signed with Smith Recycling Milton Keynes Lightning for the rest of the 2019/20 season.  Robin has made a fantastic impact on the team since his arrival, bringing pace, skill, incredible skating and a teamwork ethic that has had a hugely positive effect on the dressing room.  We're very pleased he will be staying with us. Commenting on the signing, Head Coach Lewis Clifford said "It's been easy to see the impact that Robin has had.  He bagged 4 points in his very first game, and has gone on to grab 5 goals and 9 assists in 8 games and has been a big part of our run of great form.  More than that though, he's a great guy to have around, with his fitness, professionalism and experience making him a good role model in the locker room.  We're very happy to have him on board"

2019-12-23T19:10:49+01:00December 23rd, 2019|
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Sharing our plans for the 2020/21 season

We met last night as the Board of Directors of Milton Keynes Ice Hockey Club and agreed unanimously that we will be remaining in the NIHL National League for the 2020/21 Season.  Earlier today we informed our players, staff, shareholders, advisors and sponsors.  We also engaged with the Supporters Club to re-affirm our commitment to working with them, as well as to agree with them that given the material nature of this news with multiple different groups involved we were not able to share this with Gold Members as far in advance as we would have liked, but have been able to give a brief preview. We’ve made this decision in the best interests of the club and would like to share with you our reasoning: Stability: we want to focus on the longer term development of all hockey in Milton Keynes and build deeper collaboration with Thunder, Storm, Falcons and Rec teams as the hockey family.  We believe the best approach is a [...]

2019-12-04T13:16:26+01:00December 4th, 2019|
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Introducing our Remembrance Day Commemorations

Smith Recycling Milton Keynes Lightning together with the Supporters Club are delighted to share with you our plans to commemorate Remembrance Day 2019. On Saturday 9th November for the home game against Bracknell Bees, we will remember those who have fallen, pay our respects and support the Royal British Legion by wearing a special Remembrance jersey. These jerseys will be available through the own and loan scheme and will cost £125 each, and if there is demand we will produce a limited run for purchase as replicas. We have been working with the Royal British Legion this year to gain their support for our fundraising, and we are delighted to announce that all profits from the sale of Remembrance shirt, merchandise and other fundraising activities will be given 100% to the Royal British Legion for their Poppy Day appeal. This is how the Royal British Legion describes itself: “The Royal British Legion is at the heart of a national network that supports our Armed Forces [...]

2019-10-25T17:30:53+01:00October 23rd, 2019|
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Dean Skinns joins to provide cover

We're delighted that Dean Skinns has joined Smith Recycling Milton Keynes Lightning to provide some short term goaltending cover.  Jordan Lawday has picked up an injury and Dean will join us to provide injury cover on a game by game basis. Speaking about Dean's arrival, Smith Recycling MKL Head Coach Lewis Clifford said: "I'm really pleased that Dean has agreed to help us out on a short term basis.  Jordan has picked up a knock, and we want to make sure that we give him the time he needs to work it off.  Brandon Stones has been great in net this season but it's really important we have some quality in the backup.  Dean fits the bill perfectly." Dean has a distinguished hockey pedigree including a season in Milton Keynes in 2015/16 so he's no stranger to the fans and the club.  Welcome back Dean and thanks for your assistance! Photo: wokinghampaper.co.uk

2019-10-16T17:48:22+01:00October 16th, 2019|
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