Milton Keynes Lightning

Milton Keynes Lightning
City	Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
League	EIHPL
Founded	2002
Home arena	The MK Arena
Colors	White, Black & Blue
General manager	TBA
Head coach	Peter Russell
Captain	Adam Carr
Affiliates	Coventry Blaze Milton Keynes Thunder Milton Keynes Storm
Website	mk-lightning.com
Franchise history
2002 – present	Milton Keynes Lightning
Championships
Regular season titles	3 (03/04, 04/05 & 09/10)
Playoff championships	4 (02/03, 03/04, 04/05 & 05/06)

The Milton Keynes Lightning are a semi-professional ice hockey team from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, currently playing in the EPIHL. The team was founded in 2002 to replace the Milton Keynes Kings; who had departed Milton Keynes for Solihull at that time. Their home rink is the refurbished and renamed MK Arena; known locally as the Thunderdome. It has a capacity of circa 2,500.

Club History

Foundation

Founded in 2002, MK Lightning moved into the empty space left by the departure of the Milton Keynes Kings. The MK Kings were involved in a dispute with rink operators Planet Ice, which led to their relocation to Solihull in May 2002.^[1] There they became the Solihull MK Kings before being wound up in April 2003, after a single season.^[2]

2002–2006: The Early Years

The demise of the Ice Hockey Superleague in 2002/03 led to major restructuring of Ice Hockey in the UK. The Milton Keynes Lightning became a founding member of the new Elite Ice Hockey League but competed in the lower English Premier Ice Hockey League. The first Lightning squad was made up of local players and three Canadian imports, Nick Poole as Player Coach, Claude Dumas, and Dwayne Newman. Lightning finished their maiden season in 2nd place, behind Peterborough Phantoms. The two teams met again in the playoff final, with Lightning winning. A rivalry quickly grew between them as they continued to dominate EPL Ice Hockey,^[3] MK Lightning were crowned league champions in 2003/04 & 2004/05 as well as dominating the Playoffs until 2006.

2006–2008: League Struggle

2006/07 saw Lightning struggle for the first time. A lack of new players, predictable tactics & an improved opposition being the main drivers. The team ended the season in 5th place^[4] & were eliminated from the Playoffs in the first round.^[5] 2007/08 saw the situation worsen, with a league finish of 6th. This resulted in a roster overhaul for the new season.^[6]

2008–2010: A Return to Success

The Lightning squad for 2008/09 included several experienced ex-Elite League players, young British talent & new European imports. After a slow start the team dominated the second half of the season & finished runners-up behind Peterborough.^[7] They then met again in the playoff final with the Phantoms winning the encounter.^[8] Lightning became the team to beat in 2009/10, despite Elite league Basingstoke Bison & Manchester Phoenix joining the EPIHL. Further squad strengthening helped Lightning dominate & a home win against Swindon Wildcats in March 2010 saw the EPIHL league trophy return to Milton Keynes.

2010–2015: Near Misses, Unexpected Changes & Disappointment

An inconsistent 2010/11 saw Lightning finish 5th in the league and lose the play off final to Guildford Flames. 2011/12 fared no better, with the team again finishing 5th; having led the league in December. The team lost in the playoff quarter finals to eventual winners Slough Jets, despite taking a three-goal lead into the away leg. The 2012/13 season brought upheaval when in January 2013 Nick Poole unexpectedly announced his immediate retirement from playing. Lightning finished in 4th place and lost to Guildford Flames in the play off semi-finals, despite arguably playing the better hockey. The disruption continued in 2013/14 as home games were played in Coventry due to the renovation of the Milton Keynes rink. Due to a lack of practice ice time, the team struggled for consistency but finished in a credible 4th place. They were also the runners up to Basingstoke Bison in the cup. The 2014/15 season started with Lightning continuing to play out of Coventry. Indifferent early form left the team languishing near the bottom of the league. The refurbishment of the Milton Keynes rink was completed a month into the season and the first game back on home territory was played on the 18th October 2014 against Sheffield Steeldogs in front of a capacity crowd of 2,500. Despite the return to home ice; Lightning continued to perform poorly. The loss of key players through roster changes and a series of injuries increased pressure on an already struggling team saw Lightning finish the season in 7th place, their lowest ever position. Despite poor league performances, Lightning defeated Guildford in the playoff quarter finals before losing to Manchester Phoenix in the semi final game.

2015–2016: Management Change & Coventry Blaze Partnership

At the end of the 2014/2015 season it was announced to the surprise of the fans and players that head coach Nick Poole would take over the duties of General Manager from Vito Rausa and be replaced by Team GB coach Peter Russell. This was shortly followed by the announcement in May 2015 that Milton Keynes Lightning would be forming a partnership with Elite League side the Coventry Blaze.^[9] The 2015/16 season also saw a change from the traditional white, black, and gold colours to a white, black, and blue combination which reflected the sponsorship of local company Smith Recycling. Despite a promising start, the season ended with MKL managing just a slight improvement on their previous years final position, finishing 5th. Lightning went on to qualify for the Play Off final, losing to Guildford Flames 6-2. At the end of the season it was also announced that from the start of the 2017-2018 season, Milton Keynes Lightning would play in the Elite Ice Hockey League. In November 2016, Nick Poole stepped down from the role of General Manager, citing that he wanted to pursue new challenges with his family outside of hockey.

Logo History

• 

  2002 - 2014 - Original MK Lightning Logo

• 

  2014 – Present - Current MK Lightning Logo

• 

  2015 - Adam Carr Testimonial Logo

• 

  2016 - Grant McPherson Testimonial Logo

Arena Redevelopment

In March 2013, Milton Keynes Council approved plans to redevelop the Leisure Plaza after failed attempts in 2006 & 2011. The development of the arena was funded by Morrisons Supermarkets and took 17 months to complete. This forced Lightning to play their home games at the Coventry Sky Dome during the 2013/2014 season & part of the 2014/2015 season. The team returned to the redeveloped rink which had been renamed the "MK Arena" on 18 October 2014 against Sheffield Steeldogs, in front of a sell out crowd in excess of 2,500.

Club Honours

• EPIHL League: 3

Winner (3): 2004, 2005, 2010

Runner-up (2): 2003, 2009

• EPIHL Playoffs: 4

Winner (4): 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

Runner-up (2): 2009, 2011, 2016

• EPIHL Cup: 0

Runner-up (4): 2003, 2007, 2010, 2014

Club Roster Confirmed for 2016-2017

Netminders
No.	Nat.	Player	Catches	Date of birth	Place of birth	Acquired
1		Jordan Hedley	L	(1996-08-07) 7 August 1996	Walsall	2016 from Swindon Wildcats
90		Przemyslaw Odrobny	L	(1985-10-21) 21 October 1985	Gdańsk, Poland	2016 from Morzine Avoriaz (France)

Defencemen
No.	Nat.	Player	Shoots	Date of birth	Place of birth	Acquired
2		Sam Jones	R	(1997-11-11) 11 November 1997	Birmingham	2016 from Cowichan Valley Capitals (Canada)
5		Edward Knaggs	L	(1998-05-13) 13 May 1998	Hemel Hempstead	2014 from Milton Keynes Thunder
15		James Griffin	R	(1993-04-08) 8 April 1993	Swindon	2015 from Coventry Blaze
19		Leigh Jamieson - Alternate	R	(1985-07-30) 30 July 1985	Milton Keynes	2009 from Coventry Blaze
55		Michael Farn	L	(1988-06-23) 23 June 1988	Durham	2009 from Swindon Wildcats
66		Lewis Christie	R	(1989-08-30) 30 August 1989	Edinburgh	2008 from Belfast Giants

Forwards
No.	Nat.	Player	Shoots	Date of birth	Place of birth	Acquired
8		Blaz Emersic	L	(1980-10-10) 10 October 1980	Ljubljana, Slovenia	2010 from Slough Jets
10		Bobby Chamberlain - Alternate	R	(1995-03-16) 16 March 1995	Hull	2015 from Manchester Phoenix
11		Lewis Hook	L	(1996-08-18) 18 August 1996	Peterborough	2014 from Peterborough Phantoms
14		Luc Johnson	L	(1997-07-21) 21 July 1997	Blackburn	2015 from Okanagan Hockey Academy
18		Adam Carr - Captain	R	(1984-06-15) 15 June 1984	Durham	2003 from Isle of Wight Raiders
23		Tom Carlon	R	(1987-02-18) 18 February 1987	Telford	2016 from Abu Dhabi Storms (UAE)
28		Milan Baranyk	L	(1980-02-06) 6 February 1980	Nové Město na Moravě, Czech Republic	2016 from Peterborough Phantoms
29		Antti Holli	L	(1987-07-16) 16 July 1987	Kangasala, Finland	2016 from MHC Martin (Slovakia)
72		Glenn Billing	L	(1997-05-28) 28 May 1997	Romford	2015 from Okanagan Hockey Academy
82		Mikolaj Lopuski	L	(1985-12-24) 24 December 1985	Gdańsk, Poland	2016 from GKS Tychy (Poland)
83		Frantisek Bakrlik	L	(1983-06-02) 2 June 1983	Litvinov, Czech Republic	2015 from Bracknell Bees
88		Craig Scott	R	(1991-07-09) 9 July 1991	Lockport, Manitoba, Canada	2016 from Peterborough Phantoms
95		Jordan Cownie	L	(1995-08-01) 1 August 1995	Dundee	2015 from Braehead Clan

Statistical Records

Top Ten Appearances

League, Cup & Play Offs; as at Monday 28 November 2016

Player
No.	Nat.	Player	Active Seasons	Appearances
1		Adam Carr	2003–2016 inclusive	649
2		Grant McPherson	2006–2016 inclusive	512
3		Nick Poole	2002–2015 inclusive	506
4		Ross Bowers	2002–2008, 2009–2010 & 2011–2015	467
5		Leigh Jamieson	2002–2004 & 2009–2016	464
6		Lewis Christie	2008–2016 inclusive	447
7		Michael Farn	2009–2016 inclusive	407
8		Ross Green	2008–2016 inclusive	390
9		Michael Wales	2003–2012 inclusive	385
10		Gary Clarke	2002–2009 & 2010–2011	377

Top Ten Points Scorers

League, Cup & Play Offs; as at Monday 28 November 2016

Player
No.	Nat.	Player	Active Seasons	Points
1		Gary Clarke	2002–2009 & 2010–2011	767
2		Nick Poole	2002–2015 inclusive	728
3		Adam Carr	2003–2016 inclusive	499
4		Leigh Jamieson	2002–2004 & 2009–2016	442
5		Blaz Emersic	2010–2016 inclusive	368
6		Greg Randall	2002–2006 & 2007–2009	260
7		Michael Wales	2003–2012 inclusive	259
8		Mikko Skinnari	2002–2008 inclusive	246
9		Andre Smulter	2008–2011 inclusive	229
10		Lukas Zatopek	2008–2014 inclusive	201

Top ten goal scorers

League, Cup & Play Offs; as at Monday 28 November 2016

Player
No.	Nat.	Player	Active Seasons	Goals
1		Gary Clarke	2002–2009 & 2010–2011	436
2		Adam Carr	2003–2016 inclusive	239
3		Nick Poole	2002–2015 inclusive	211
4		Leigh Jamieson	2002–2004 & 2009–2016	161
5		Blaz Emersic	2010–2016 inclusive	157
6		Andre Smulter	2008–2011 inclusive	111
7		Ross Bowers	2002–2008, 2009–2010 & 2011–2015	101
8		Greg Randall	2002–2006 & 2007–2009	98
9		Michael Wales	2003–2012 inclusive	96
10		Mikko Skinnari	2002–2008 inclusive	91

Top Ten Goal Assists

League, Cup & Play Offs; as at Monday 28 November 2016

Player
No.	Nat.	Player	Active Seasons	Assists
1		Nick Poole	2002–2015 inclusive	517
2		Gary Clarke	2002–2009 & 2010–2011	331
3		Leigh Jamieson	2002–2004 & 2009–2016	281
4		Adam Carr	2003–2016 inclusive	260
5		Blaz Emersic	2010–2016 inclusive	211
6		Michael Wales	2003–2012 inclusive	163
6		Michael Farn	2009–2016 inclusive	163
8		Greg Randall	2002–2006 & 2007–2009	162
9		Mikko Skinnari	2002–2008 inclusive	155
10		Lukas Zatopek	2008–2014 inclusive	140

Top Ten Penalty Minutes

League, Cup & Play Offs; as at Monday 28 November 2016

Player
No.	Nat.	Player	Active Seasons	Minutes
1		Grant McPherson	2006–2016 inclusive	1236
2		Michael Wales	2003–2012 inclusive	1131
3		Kurt Irvine	2003–2008 inclusive	1109
4		Leigh Jamieson	2002–2004 & 2009–2016	927
5		Lewis Christie	2008–2016 inclusive	557
6		Lukas Zatopek	2008–2014 inclusive	509
7		Ross Bowers	2002–2008, 2009–2010 & 2011–2015	479
8		Nick Poole	2002–2015 inclusive	452
9		Matt Towalski	2005–2012 inclusive	446
10		Michael Farn	2009–2016 inclusive	389

Top Ten Points to Game Ratio

League, Cup & Play Offs; as at Monday 28 November 2016 (Players with under 20 appearances not included)

Player
No.	Nat.	Player	Active Seasons	Points/Games Ratio
1		Gary Clarke	2002–2009 & 2010-2011	2.03
2		Joakim Wiklander	2008–2010 inclusive	2.00
3		Greg Owen	2002–2003	1.74
4		Stefan Ketola	2005–2006	1.71
5		Monir Kalgoum	2009–2011 inclusive	1.67
6		Andre Smulter	2008–2011 inclusive	1.58
7		Tony Alasaarela	2007–2008	1.50
8		Steve Moria	2005–2006	1.45
8		Stanislav Lascek	2013–2015 inclusive	1.45
10		Nick Poole	2002–2015 inclusive	1.44

Top Ten Goals to Game Ratio

League, Cup & Play Offs; as at Monday 28 November 2016 (Players with under 20 appearances not included)

Player
No.	Nat.	Player	Active Seasons	Goals/Games Ratio
1		Gary Clarke	2002–2009 & 2010-2011	1.16
2		Greg Owen	2002–2003	1.10
3		Stefan Ketola	2005–2006	0.86
4		Andre Smulter	2008–2011 inclusive	0.77
4		Stanislav Lascek	2013–2015 inclusive	0.77
6		Milan Kostourek	2014–2015	0.75
7		Franisek Bakrlik	2015–2016	0.70
7		Kamil Tvrdek	2012–2013	0.65
9		Monir Kalgoum	2009–2011 inclusive	0.61
10		Steve Moria	2005–2006	0.60

Top Ten Assists to Game Ratio

League, Cup & Play Offs; as at Monday 28 November 2016 (Players with under 20 appearances not included)

Player
No.	Nat.	Player	Active Seasons	Assists/Games Ratio
1		Joakim Wiklander	2008–2010 inclusive	1.59
2		Monir Kalgoum	2009–2011 inclusive	1.06
3		Nick Poole	2002–2015 inclusive	1.02
4		Tony Alasaarela	2007–2008	0.98
5		Markku Tathinen	2015-2016	0.91
6		Ales Perez	2007–2009 inclusive	0.89
7		Gary Clarke	2002–2009 & 2010-2011	0.88
8		Stefan Ketola	2005–2006	0.86
9		Rene Jarolin	2015	0.85
9		Steve Moria	2005–2006	0.85

Top Ten Penalty Minutes to Games Ratio

League, Cup & Play Offs; as at Monday 28 November 2016 (Players with under 20 appearances not included)

Player
No.	Nat.	Player	Active Seasons	PIM/Games Ratio
1		Kurt Irvine	2003-2008 inclusive	5.38
2		James Morgan	2006–2007	4.30
3		Steve Carpenter	2004–2005	4.06
4		Frankisek Bakrlik	2015–2016	3.77
5		Daniel Croft	2007–2008	3.59
6		Michael Wales	2003–2012 inclusive	2.94
7		Michael Knights	2002–2003, 2004-2005 & 2006-2007	2.73
8		Chris Wiggins	2012–2013 & 2014-2015	2.62
9		Martti Jarventie	2015–2016	2.61
10		Nicky Chinn	2012–2013	2.48

Top Ten Save Percentages

League, Cup & Play Offs; as at Monday 28 November 2016 (Players with under 15 appearances not included)

Player
No.	Nat.	Player	Active Seasons	Save Percentage
1		Prezemyslaw Odrobny	2016	92.35
2		Alex Mettam	2009–2013 inclusive	91.65
3		Jordan Marr	2015-2016	91.47
4		Barry Hollyhead	2002–2004 & 2006-2012	91.27
5		Stephen Wall	2012-2015 inclusive	91.13
6		Dean Skinns	2015-2016	91.04
7		Allen Sutton	2002–2008 inclusive	90.97
8		Lee Lansdowne	2005-2006	90.20
9		Jordan Hedley	2012–2015, 2016	88.13
10		Daniel Shea	2006-2007	87.60

NHL Drafted Milton Keynes Lightning Players

Player
Nat.	Player.	Active Seasons	Year Drafted	Round & Draft Pick	Team
	Claude Dumas	2002-2003	1985	Round 5 Draft Pick 103	Washington Capitals
	Janne Jokila	2012-2014 inclusive	2000	Round 7 Draft Pick 200	Columbus Blue Jackets
	Martti Jarventie	2015-2016	2001	Round 4 Draft Pick 109	Montreal Canadiens
	Jurej Gracik	2011-2012	2004	Round 5 Draft Pick 142	Atlanta Thrashers
	Stanislav Lascek	2013-2015 inclusive	2005	Round 5 Draft Pick 133	Tampa Bay Lightning

Season-by-Season Record

Associated teams

• Coventry Blaze - Development Partnership
• Milton Keynes Thunder
• Milton Keynes Storm

References

External links

• MK Lightning Homepage
• MKIH Forums
• Planet Ice

Ice hockey in the United Kingdom
Elite League	Belfast Giants Braehead Clan Cardiff Devils Coventry Blaze Dundee Stars Edinburgh Capitals Fife Flyers Manchester Storm Nottingham Panthers Sheffield Steelers
English Premier League	Basingstoke Bison Bracknell Bees Guildford Flames Hull Pirates Manchester Phoenix Milton Keynes Lightning Peterborough Phantoms Sheffield Steeldogs Swindon Wildcats Telford Tigers
National League	Altrincham Aces Basingstoke Buffalo Billingham Stars Blackburn Hawks Bracknell Hornets Bradford Bulldogs Bristol Pitbulls Cardiff Devils 1 Cardiff Devils 2 Chelmsford Chieftains Chelmsford Warriors Coventry Blaze Deeside Dragons Fylde Flyers Grimsby Red Wings Haringey Greyhounds Invicta Dynamos Invicta Mustangs Kingston Jets Lancashire Raptors Lee Valley Lions London Raiders Milton Keynes Thunder Nottingham Lions Oxford City Stars Peterborough Islanders Romford Fury Sheffield Spartans Slough Harrier Hawks Solent Devils Solihull Barons Solway Sharks Streatham Redskins Streatham Bruins Swindon Wildcats Sutton Sting Whitley Warriors Wightlink Buccaneers
Scottish National League	Aberdeen Lynx Dundee Comets Dundee Tigers Edinburgh Capitals (SNL) Kilmarnock Storm Kirkcaldy Kestrels North Ayr Wild Paisley Pirates Solway Sharks
British University Teams	Anglia Ruskin Rangers Birmingham Eagles Bradford Sabres Bristol Lions Cambridge Blues Cardiff Redhawks Durham Knights Edinburgh Eagles Huddersfield Ice Hawks Hull Ice Hogs Imperial College Devils Kent Knights Universities Of London Dragons Manchester Metros Newcastle Wildcats Northumbria Flames Nottingham Mavericks Oxford University Ice Hockey Club Sheffield Bears Southampton Spitfires St Andrews Typhoons Surrey Sharks UCL Yetis UEA Avalanche Warwick Panthers
Womens Premier League	Bracknell Queen Bees Guildford Lightning Kingston Diamonds A Milton Keynes Falcons Sheffield Shadows A Slough Phantoms Solihull Vixens Streatham Storm A Swindon TopCats A
Womens Ice Hockey League Division One	Basingstoke Bison Ladies Billingham Wildcats Blackburn Thunder Bracknell Fire Bees Cardiff Comets Chelmsford Cobras Coventry Phoenix Ivicta Dynamics Kingston Diamonds B Nottingham Vipers Oxford Stars Peterborough Penguins Sheffield Shadows B Solent and Gosport Amazons Streatham Storm B Telford Wrekin Raiders Whitley Squaws
Governing bodies	English Ice Hockey Association Ice Hockey UK Northern Ireland Ice Hockey Association Scottish Ice Hockey
Competitions	League Championship Playoff Championship Challenge Cup Knockout Cup Northern League Varsity Match
Player awards	Alan Weeks Trophy Best British Forward British Netminder of the Year Coach of the Year Trophy Ice Hockey Annual Trophy Player of the Year Trophy Vic Batchelder Memorial Award
Defunct leagues and competitions	British Ice Hockey Association Ahearne Cup Autumn Cup British Hockey League British National League (1954–1960) British National League (1996–2005) English League English League North English National League Ice Hockey Superleague Inter-City League Northern League Scottish National League Scottish Premier Hockey League Southern League
Defunct teams	Ayr Bruins Ayr Scottish Eagles Brighton Tigers Castlereagh Knights Dundee Rockets Durham Wasps Earls Court Rangers Harringay Greyhounds Harringay Racers Hull Stingrays Hull Thunder Humberside Seahawks London Canadians London Lions London Knights London Racers Medway Bears Milton Keynes Kings Murrayfield Racers Newcastle Jesters Newcastle Vipers Niagara Ice Hockey Club Oxford Blades Peterborough Pirates Princes Ice Hockey Club Richmond Flyers Sheffield Lancers Sheffield Scimitars Southampton Vikings Sunderland Chiefs Swindon TopCats B TDC Northern Stars Telford Tigers ENL Telford Titans Wembley Lions Wembley Monarchs Wightlink Raiders Wightlink Tigers
Miscellaneous	Great Britain men's national ice hockey team Great Britain women's national ice hockey team British Ice Hockey Hall of Fame Ice Hockey Journalists UK IHSAUK
Related IIHF IIHF Continental Cup IIHF European Champions Cup