Milton Keynes Lightning: Difference between revisions
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| name3 = Milton Keynes Lightning |
| name3 = Milton Keynes Lightning |
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| dates3 = 2002–Present |
| dates3 = 2002–Present |
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| arena = MK Arena |
| arena = [[Planet_Ice_Milton_Keynes|The MK Arena]] |
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| capacity = 3000 |
| capacity = 3000 |
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| colors = White, Black & Gold <br /> {{color box|white}} {{color box|black}} {{color box|#D1BD80}} |
| colors = White, Black & Gold <br /> {{color box|white}} {{color box|black}} {{color box|#D1BD80}} |
Revision as of 23:43, 30 November 2014
Milton Keynes Lightning | |
---|---|
File:MKL Logo.png | |
City | Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire |
League | EIHPL |
Founded | 2002 |
Home arena | The MK Arena (capacity: 3000) |
Colors | White, Black & Gold |
Owner(s) | ![]() ![]() |
Head coach | ![]() ![]() |
Captain | ![]() |
Affiliates | Milton Keynes Thunder Milton Keynes Storm |
Franchise history | |
1990–1996 | Milton Keynes Kings |
1998–2002 | Milton Keynes Kings |
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 defunct Milton Keynes Kings. Their home arena is the refurbished and renamed MK Arena, known locally as the Thunderdome. It has a capacity of circa 2,500.
Club history
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 owners 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: Early Years
The demise of the Ice Hockey Superleague & the British National League in 2002/03 led to major restructuring of Ice Hockey in the United Kingdom. The Milton Keynes Lightning became a founding member of the new Elite Ice Hockey League but competed in the English Premier Ice Hockey League. The first Lightning squad was made up of local players & three Canadian imports, Nick Poole as Player Coach, Claude Dumas & 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 in the league for the first time. A lack of new players, predictable tactics & improvements by the 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 major roster overhaul for the new season.[6]
2008–2010: Return to Success
The Lightning squad for 2008/09 included several experienced ex-Elite League players, young British talent & new European imports in Lukas Zatopek, Andre Smulter & Joakim Wiklander.[7] After a slow start the team dominated the second half of the season & finished runners-up behind Peterborough.[8] They then met again in the playoff final with the Phantoms winning the encounter.[9] Lightning became the team to beat in 2009/10, despite big spending Basingstoke Bison & Manchester Phoenix joining the EPL. More exciting signings in local star Leigh Jamieson & former Swedish U20 international Monir Kalgoum helped Lightning dominate & a home win against Swindon Wildcats in March 2010 saw the EPL league trophy return to Milton Keynes.
2010–2013: Near Misses & Unexpected Changes
An inconsistent 2010/11 saw Lightning finish 5th in the league & lose the play off final to Guildford Flames. 2011/12 was no better, 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. For 2012/13 the forward line was bolstered with marque signing Adam Calder. Ten games into the season, he suffered a catastrophic hip injury & never played again. Calder was replaced by Czech Kamil Tvrdek, who established himself with the winning goal on his debut. January 2013 brought further upheaval, when Nick Poole shocking the fans, announced his immediate retirement from playing. Former NHL Draft pick Janne Jokila replaced him. Lightning finished the season in 4th place & lost to league & cup champions Guildford Flames in the play off semi-finals, despite arguably playing the better hockey.
2013–2014: On The Road For Every Game
The disruption continued for 2013/14 as home games were played in Coventry due to the renovation of the Milton Keynes rink. The majority of the squad remained, but Kamil Tvrdek was released whilst Chris Wiggins & Welsh veteran Nick Chinn also left, citing the travelling distance to Coventry as the main factor. Due to a lack of practice ice time, the team struggled for consistency. Despite this, they again finished the season in a credible 4th place. The team were also the runners up to Basingstoke Bison in the cup. Immediately after the end of the season, it was announced that Lightning stalwart & fans favourite Lukas Zatopek would not be returning to the club after six years service. Finnish import Janne Jokila was also released.
Logo History
-
2002 - 2014
-
2014 – Present
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, 2010
- EPIHL Cup: 0
- Runner-up (4): 2003, 2007, 2010, 2014
Arena redevelopment
In March 2013, Milton Keynes Council approved plans to redevelop the Leisure Plaza and Planet Ice after failed attempts in 2006 & 2011. The development of the arena was funded by Morrisons Supermarkets and & to 15 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 MK Arena on the 18th October 2014 against Sheffield Steeldogs, in front of a sell out crowd in excess of 2,500.
Club roster
Netminders | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Nat. | Player | Catches | Date of birth | Place of birth | Acquired | ||||
1 | ![]() |
Jordan Hedley | R | 7 August 1996 | Walsall | 2012 | ||||
93 | ![]() |
Stephen Wall | R | 12 February 1981 | North Shields | 2012 |
Defencemen | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Nat. | Player | Shoots | Date of birth | Place of birth | Acquired | ||||
5 | ![]() |
Ben Russell | R | 24 March 1994 | London | 2013 | ||||
7 | ![]() |
Petr Horava | L | 22 July 1985 | Kladno,Czech Republic | 2014 | ||||
21 | ![]() |
Ross Green | R | 19 February 1992 | Chelmsford | 2008 | ||||
55 | ![]() |
Michael Farn | L | 23 June 1988 | Durham | 2009 | ||||
66 | ![]() |
Lewis Christie | R | 30 August 1989 | Edinburgh | 2008 |
Forwards | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Nat. | Player | Shoots | Date of birth | Place of birth | Acquired | ||||
8 | ![]() |
Blaz Emersic | L | 10 October 1980 | Ljubljana, Slovenia | 2010 | ||||
9 | ![]() |
Grant McPherson - Alternate | R | 3 March 1987 | Stirling | 2006 | ||||
11 | ![]() |
Lewis Hook | L | 18 August 1996 | Peterborough | 2014 | ||||
14 | ![]() |
Jordan Cownie | L | 1 August 1995 | Dundee | 2013 | ||||
18 | ![]() |
Adam Carr - Captain | R | 15 June 1984 | Durham | 2003 | ||||
19 | ![]() |
Leigh Jamieson - Alternate | R | 30 July 1985 | Milton Keynes | 2008 | ||||
28 | ![]() |
Chris Wiggins | R | 13 October 1987 | Guildford | 2014 | ||||
41 | ![]() |
Marek Curilla | L | 21 June 1986 | Kladno,Czech Republic | 2014 | ||||
61 | ![]() |
Ross Bowers | R | 30 July 1985 | Luton | 2011 | ||||
88 | ![]() |
Milan Kostourek | R | 9 January 1983 | Czech Republic | 2014 |
2 Way Players | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pos. | Nat. | Player | Shoots | Date of birth | Place of birth | Acquired | ||||
D | ![]() |
Ed Knaggs (2 way MK Thunder/Storm) | L | 13 May 1998 | Hemel Hempstead | 2014 | ||||
D | ![]() |
Nidal Phillips (2 way MK Thunder) | R | 16 October 1992 | Milton Keynes | 2014 | ||||
F | ![]() |
Connor Goode (2 way MK Thunder) | R | 2 November 1993 | Luton | 2010 | ||||
F | ![]() |
Alex Whyte (2 way MK Thunder) | L | 23 July 1996 | Peterborough | 2014 | ||||
F | ![]() |
Josh Nicklin (2 way MK Thunder) | R | 27 February 1992 | Bedford | 2013 | ||||
F | ![]() |
Jamie Line (2 way MK Thunder) | R | 23 January 1990 | Luton | 2010 |
Top Ten Appearances (League, Cup & Play Offs) as at 24 November 2014
Top Ten Points Scorers (League, Cup & Play Offs) as at 24 November 2014
Top Ten Penalty Minutes (League, Cup & Play Offs) as at 24 November 2014
Season-by-season record
|
Associated teams
- Milton Keynes Thunder
- Milton Keynes Storm
External links
References
- ^ "MK Kings live on in Solihull", Milton Keynes Citizen, May 2002
- ^ "Solihull MK Kings finally call it a day", Milton Keynes Citizen, April 2003]
- ^ "Phantoms Renew Lightning rivalry", Peterborough Telegraph, September 2007
- ^ "English Premier League final table", Milton Keynes Citizen, March 2007
- ^ "Lightning win proves to be all in vain", Milton Keynes Citizen, April 2007
- ^ "Lightning Set for New Term Face Off", Milton Keynes Citizen, September 2008
- ^ "Joakim jets in for Slough", Milton Keynes Citizen, January 2009
- ^ "Players are positive after great finish to the season, Milton Keynes Citizen, April 2009
- ^ "Lightning fall at the final hurdle, Milton Keynes Citizen, April 2009