A homegrown talent with an exciting future ahead, Lewis Conroy represents the next generation of Milton Keynes Lightning, having progressed through the club’s junior system to earn his place in the senior squad.

The 17-year-old forward, who plays at centre, stands at 5'10" (179cm) and shoots right. Conroy has been a standout performer throughout his time with the Milton Keynes Storm, consistently demonstrating his scoring ability, speed and maturity on the ice.

His 2024/25 campaign was particularly impressive, finishing as a leading scorer for both the Storm U16 and U19 teams. He recorded 42 goals and six assists in 13 appearances for the U16s, alongside an outstanding 27 goals and 14 assists in 15 games with the U19s. His performances earned him the England U16 National Championship title and recognition as the league’s leading goalscorer.

Conroy made the step up to senior hockey during the 2025/26 season, gaining valuable experience with both MK Thunder and MK Lightning while continuing his development within the junior programme.

A player with tremendous potential, Conroy will be looking to build on his early senior experience and continue his progression in Lightning colours at the Thunderdome.

Returning to Milton Keynes in Basingstoke colours, Mac Howlett needs little introduction to Lightning supporters. The English left-shot forward produced strongly for MK before moving through Leeds and on to the Bison, so there is direct knowledge of the damage he can create at this level. His current return is built on both finishing and distribution, with the assist column ahead of his goals while the scoring total places him at the centre of Basingstoke’s attack (2026-2027 • NIHL • Basingstoke Bison: GP 15, G–A–P 11–18–29, PIM 10). Howlett’s route also includes EIHL time with Guildford Flames and Glasgow Clan, plus a spell with ES Weißwasser’s development side in Germany. That breadth matters, but his NIHL record is the concern: he has repeatedly combined substantial goal output with productive puck movement. Lightning must deny him possession in threatening areas and stay alert when he shifts from shooter to supplier. If MK allow him to dictate sequences, Basingstoke have a proven source of both the final pass and the finish.

Basingstoke’s Canadian forward Brendan Sellan has carried last season’s heavy production into the current campaign, again supplying goals and assists in volume. His latest line shows an especially strong creative contribution without sacrificing his own finishing threat (2026-2027 • NIHL • Basingstoke Bison: GP 15, G–A–P 8–15–23, PIM 6). Sellan is not arriving cold to the NIHL: his previous Bison season established a substantial body of work across a full league schedule, making his output a continuation rather than a short burst without context. Before coming to Britain, he played university hockey with Acadia and spent multiple campaigns in the OHL with Erie Otters. That background is matched by a scoring profile that has developed over time, from junior hockey through university competition and into Basingstoke’s attack. For Lightning, the key is to prevent him linking phases together. He can feature as scorer or provider, so taking away either option will not neutralise him. MK’s defensive detail must begin before he reaches dangerous ice, with passing lanes and shooting opportunities treated as threats.

Arriving at Basingstoke from Nantes, Charles Farmer has adapted quickly to NIHL production. The Canadian right-shot forward is giving the Bison a balanced blend of scoring and creation, with his goals and assists sitting close together (2026-2027 • NIHL • Basingstoke Bison: GP 15, G–A–P 9–10–19, PIM 4). That balance follows a notably assist-led campaign in France, where his work for Nantes showed a stronger tilt towards supply than finishing. Before Europe, Farmer played university hockey for Nipissing, building several seasons of experience there after prolific junior campaigns with Terrebonne Cobras. His record across those environments shows that he has generated offence in different leagues rather than relying on an isolated run. Lightning therefore have to respect more than his release. Farmer’s capacity to contribute to the pass before a goal makes him relevant even when he is not the obvious shooting option, while his present Bison return confirms that he can finish attacks himself. MK must track him through changes of possession and avoid uncontested touches in attacking areas.