Lee Valley Lions

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The Lee Valley Lions are an ice hockey team based in Leyton's Lee Valley Ice Centre, in East London

Contents

Lee Valley Lions
Lee Valley Lions Logo.png
City Leyton, Waltham Forest, London, United Kingdom
League NIHL 2 South East Division
Founded1984
Operated1984-1995, 2005-present
Home arena Lee Valley Ice Centre
ColoursWhite, Green and Blue
   
General manager Flag of England.svg Eddie Joseph
Head coach Flag of England.svg James Joseph
Captain Flag of England.svg Simon Jones
Websitewww.leevalleylions.co.uk

History

The Lee Valley Lions were formed in early 1984. In their first competitive season, they finished in sixth place in the British Heineken League Division One (BD1), the second tier of British Ice Hockey. In 1985/86, the team finished in second place. In the following season, the Lions won their league, the only time they have done this. From 1986/87 through to 1989/90, the Lions languished near the bottom of the league, never finishing higher than seventh place. In 1988/89, the Lions would have been relegated if not for the expulsion of the Deeside Dragons from the league.

In 1990 British Engine became the team's main sponsor, prompting a change in the team's colours from the original white/green/blue, to red/black/white. The 1990/91 through 1994/1995 seasons were no better than what had preceded them, with the Lions remaining near the bottom of the league table, and in danger of relegation at the end of the 1994/95 season. Financial difficulties meant that the Lee Valley Lions stopped playing at the season's end.

In 2005, at the request of the Rink Operators, the Lee Valley Lions were reformed under former player and then Junior Head Coach Eddie Joseph. It was to compete in the English National Ice Hockey League with the team mainly comprising players from the junior system and some former players from the first incarnation. The team also returned to its traditional white, green, and blue colours. In their return season, the Lions struggled, suffered several heavy defeats, and failed to register any points. The team finished bottom of the league, losing all of their matches. The following season (2006/07) saw wholesale changes made to the team, with new coach Sergei Smolenko being brought in alongside former Chelmsford Chieftains Captain James Hatfull to bolster the team's experience. Whilst there were significant improvements, the league positions during this period were unchanged with the Lions never finishing higher than seventh (2007/08) under the new coach. With the reorganisation of the league structure for the beginning of the 2008/09 season, the Lee Valley Lions competed in the English National Ice Hockey League South Two (which itself was renamed the National Ice Hockey League South Two in time for the 2012/13 season).

There was some small non-league-related success achieved at the end of the 2007/08 season when the Lions travelled to the Isle of Wight for the first Vectis Tigers "Ice Cube Tournament" which involved several English National Ice Hockey League and senior recreational teams. After remaining unbeaten and winning their group on goal difference ahead of the hosts, the Lions beat the former English Premier Ice Hockey League side the Solihull Barons in the semi-final 4–1, followed by a 7–0 win in the final over the London University Dragons.

The 2009/10 season brought a period of stagnation and under performance for the Lee Valley Lions, unaltered by two changes in Head Coach (Ian Prince and then David Richards). Between 2009/10 and 2014/15 the best final league position achieved was seventh in the 2011/12 season.

Under the coaching of Garry Dodds and former Netminder George Alley, there appeared to be an upturn in the fortunes of the Lions. The 2014/15 season saw them finish in fifth place, the best league position since the 1985/86 season when they had been runners-up in the old British league Division One. The following year the team improved again to finish fourth, and the 2016/17 season brought another creditable fifth in the league.

The last season of George Alley's tenure as Head Coach (2017/18) coincided with a league restructure which pitted powerful former National Ice Hockey League South 1 teams such as Bracknell Hornets, Chelmsford Chieftains, Oxford City Stars and Solent Devils against the traditionally weaker South 2 sides. This saw the return of the Lions struggling at the lower end of the league. Only one league win was registered via the forfeiture of a game by the Swindon Wildcats NIHL2 team. The season's end saw the coach and most of the team leave. The 2018/19 season started with James Joseph leading the team in his first coaching position whilst retaining his role as the club's longest-serving Defenceman. With a short-benched team, mainly consisting of veteran, former recreational and junior players experiencing their first taste of senior league hockey, the Lions struggled for any consistency. The team managed a single win during the season, 5–0 away to Swindon Wildcats NIHL2. The 2019/20 season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Lions did not play during the 2020/21 season due to the league cancelling all games due to the pandemic. In June 2021 it was announced that the team's home, the Lee Valley Ice Centre would be closing for 16 months for major renovation work, with the team playing out of the Cambridge Ice Arena.

Honours

Heineken League British Division One League Runners Up: 1985/86

Heineken League British Division One Trophy Winners: 1985/86

Club roster 2022-2023

Netminders
No.Nat.PlayerCatchesDate of birthPlace of birthAcquired
1 Flag of England.svg James AndrewR25 June 1991 (age 32) Peterborough 2022 from Free Agent
93 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Flag of Japan.svg Naomi HealeyR23 July 1993 (age 30) Tokyo, Japan2019 from Guildford Lightning
Defencemen
No.Nat.PlayerShootsDate of birthPlace of birthAcquired
7 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ivo BuchlovskyR1 January 1986 (age 38) Czech Republic 2021 Free Agent
11 Flag of England.svg Samuel BrazierR1 January 1999 (age 25) England 2021 from Nottingham Mavericks University Ice Hockey Club
16 Flag of England.svg Simon JonesR9 January 1987 (age 37) England 2015 from Free Agent
17 Flag of England.svg Brian WinstanleyR18 October 1986 (age 37) England 2022 from Free Agent
22 Flag of England.svg Nicky LovejoyR21 January 1983 (age 41) England 2022 from Free Agent
27 Flag of England.svg Alex WeemsR9 August 1997 (age 26) England 2022 from Free Agent
32 Flag of England.svg James JosephR19 October 1986 (age 37) England 2004 from Lee Valley Lions Junior Ice Hockey Club
34 Flag of England.svg Matthew HamiltonR3 January 1996 (age 28) England 2021 Romford Raiders
36 Flag of England.svg Mitchell LeerR1 December 1990 (age 33) Torbay 2022 from Free Agent
Forwards
No.Nat.PlayerShootsDate of birthPlace of birthAcquired
3 Flag of England.svg Tajah AllenR12 June 2003 (age 20) England 2022 from Free Agent
8 Flag of England.svg Tyrone WellsR22 September 1998 (age 25) England 2019 from Free Agent
10 Flag of England.svg Charlotte Davenport-JefferyR22 January 2004 (age 20) England 2022 from Streatham Storm
12 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Flag of Portugal.svg Joshua HudakR9 March 2002 (age 22) Portugal 2021 from Free Agent
17 Flag of England.svg Shane BojenkoR12 June 1990 (age 33) England 2021 from Free Agent
18 Flag of England.svg Eric PerryR28 June 2003 (age 20) England 2022 from Free Agent
19 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Raphael GirardL Montreal, Canada2021 from London Dragons University Ice Hockey Club
20 Flag of England.svg Sebastian EcheverriR1 January 2004 (age 20) England 2021 from Romford Raiders Junior Ice Hockey Club
23 Flag of England.svg Joe MillerR1 January 1999 (age 25) England 2017 from Lee Valley Junior Ice Hockey Club
24 Flag of England.svg Terry LucasR10 May 1995 (age 29) England 2022 from Free Agent
31 Flag of England.svg Ross Sin-HidgeR24 August 1990 (age 33) England 2022 from Free Agent
58 Flag of England.svg Kody EdwardsR22 August 1989 (age 34) Chelmsford 2021 from Chelmsford Mischief
TBA Flag of England.svg Harry TrebilcookR England 2022 from Free Agent
TBA Flag of England.svg Leonie CharlesR29 July 2001 (age 22) Sidcup, England2019 from Guildford Lightning

Statistical records

Top ten appearances

League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2021/22 Season
Player
No.Nat.PlayerActive SeasonsApp
1 Flag of England.svg James Joseph2005–2022 inclusive319
2 Flag of England.svg Eddie Joseph1984-1993 & 2005-2006249
3 Flag of England.svg Steve James1989–1995 inclusive244
4 Flag of England.svg Glen Moorhouse1988-1995 inclusive221
5 Flag of England.svg Jon Beckett1987-1989 & 1991-1995209
6 Flag of England.svg Richard Hodge2005-2007, 2009-2014 & 2018-2019170
7 Flag of England.svg Neil Stower1989-1995 inclusive166
8 Flag of England.svg Joseph Berry2005-2009, 2010-2016 & 2018-2020164
9 Flag of England.svg James Hatfull2006-2015 inclusive159
10 Flag of England.svg Jack Ball2011–2015 & 2018-2019148

Top ten Points Scorers

League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2021/22 Season
Player
No.Nat.PlayerActive SeasonsPts
1 Flag of Finland.svg Jan Lehti1985-1987 inclusive386
2 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg David Ducharme1987-1989 inclusive317
3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Doug McEwen1987–1989 inclusive295
4 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Darcy Cahill1993-1994 inclusive236
5 Flag of England.svg Chris Leggatt1985-1990 inclusive208
6 Flag of Finland.svg Ari Arvila1985-1986175
7 Flag of England.svg Nick Alley2007-2009 & 2013-2018168
8 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Mike Farard1986-1987 & 1989-1990163
9 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Jaroslav Lycka1987-1989 inclusive155
10 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Derek Higdon1991-1992152

Top ten goal scorers

League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2021/22 Season
Player
No.Nat.PlayerActive SeasonsGls
1 Flag of Finland.svg Jari Lehti1985-1987 inclusive225
2 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Doug McEwan1987-1989 inclusive170
3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg David Ducharme1987-1989 inclusive161
4 Flag of Finland.svg Ari Arvila1985-1986108
5 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Mike Fafard1986-1987 & 1989-199085
5 Flag of England.svg Scott Beeson2005-2009 & 2011-201385
7 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Derek Higson1991-199284
8 Flag of England.svg Nick Alley2007-2009 & 2013-201881
9 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Danny Cahill1993-199479
9 Flag of England.svg Chris Leggatt1985-1990 inclusive79

Top ten goal assists

League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2021/22 Season
Player
No.Nat.PlayerActive SeasonsAst
1 Flag of Finland.svg Jan Lehti1985-1987 inclusive161
2 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Darcy Cahill1993-1994157
3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg David Ducharme1987-1989 inclusive156
4 Flag of England.svg Chris Leggatt1985-1990 inclusive129
5 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Doug McEwan1987-1989 inclusive125
6 Flag of England.svg Geoff Williams1984-1987 inclusive100
7 Flag of England.svg Steve James1989-1995 inclusive97
8 Flag of England.svg Mark Salisbury1989-1991 & 1992-199388
9 Flag of England.svg Nick Alley2007-2009 & 2013-201887
10 Flag of England.svg Lee Whale1986-1991 inclusive86

Top ten penalty minutes

League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2021/22 Season
Player
No.Nat.PlayerActive SeasonsPIM
1 Flag of Lithuania.svg Romanas Fedotovas2005-2009 & 2011-2014532
2 Flag of England.svg James Hatfull2006–2015 inclusive521
3 Flag of England.svg Jon Beckett1987-1989 & 1991-1995396
4 Flag of England.svg James Joseph2005–2022 inclusive369
5 Flag of England.svg Joseph Berry2005-2009, 2010-2016 & 2018-2020359
6 Flag of England.svg Mark Salisbury1989-1991 & 1992-1993341
7 Flag of England.svg Eddie Joseph1984-1993 & 2005-2006316
8 Flag of England.svg Nick Alley2007–2009 & 2013-2018302
9 Flag of England.svg Chris Leggatt1985-1990 inclusive277
10 Flag of England.svg Brian Biddulph1992-1993 & 1994-1995269

Top ten points to game ratio

League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2021/22 Season (Players with under 20 appearances not included)
Player
No.Nat.PlayerActive SeasonsPts
1 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Mike Fafard1986-1987 & 1989-19907.09
2 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Fred Perlini1993-19945.90
3 Flag of Finland.svg Ari Arvila1985-19865.83
4 Flag of Finland.svg Jan Lehti1985-1987 inclusive5.68
5 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Darcy Cahill1993-19945.36
6 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg David Ducharme1987-1989 inclusive5.11
7 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Doug McEwan1987-1989 inclusive4.61
8 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jeff Job1991-19924.30
9 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Rod Schulter1990-19913.96
10 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Derek Higdon1991-19923.71

Top ten goals to game ratio

League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2021/22 Season (Players with under 20 appearances not included)
Player
No.Nat.PlayerActive SeasonsGls
1 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Mike Fafard1986-1987 & 1989-19903.70
2 Flag of Finland.svg Ari Arvila1985-19863.60
3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Fred Perlini1993-19943.55
4 Flag of Finland.svg Jan Lehti1985-1987 inclusive3.31
5 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jeff Job1991-19922.96
6 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Doug McEwan1987-1989 inclusive2.66
7 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg David Ducharme1987-1989 inclusive2.60
8 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Rod Schulter1990-19912.27
9 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Derek Higdon1991-19922.05
10 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Darcy Cahill1993-19941.80

Top ten assists to game ratio

League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2021/22 Season (Players with under 20 appearances not included)
Player
No.Nat.PlayerActive SeasonsAst
1 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Darcy Cahill1993-19943.57
2 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Mike Fafard1986-1987 & 1989-19903.39
3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg David Ducharme1987-1989 inclusive2.52
4 Flag of Finland.svg Jan Lehti1985-1987 inclusive2.37
5 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Fred Perlini1993-19942.35
6 Flag of Finland.svg Ari Arvila1985-19862.33
7 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Greg Cyr1990-19912.05
8 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Doug McEwan1987-1989 inclusive1.95
9 Flag of Scotland.svg Campbell Blair1992-19931.79
10 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Rod Schulter1990-19911.69

Top ten penalty minutes to games ratio

League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2021/22 Season (Players with under 20 appearances not included)
Player
No.Nat.PlayerActive SeasonsPIM
1 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Rob McCaig1993-1995 inclusive7.43
2 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Mike Fafard1986-1987 & 1989-19907.09
3 Flag of England.svg Brian Biddulph1992-1993 & 1994-19956.90
4 Flag of England.svg Kwabina Oppong-Addai2005–2007 & 2010-20116.50
5 Flag of Lithuania.svg Romanas Fedotovas2005-2009 & 2011-20145.60
6 Ulster Banner.svg Paul O'Neill2005–2008 inclusive4.78
7 Flag of the United States.svg Barry Smith1987-1988, 1990-1991 & 1992-19934.08
8 Flag of England.svg Mark Salisbury1989-1991 & 1992-19933.79
9 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Paul Grech1993-1995 inclusive3.78
10 Flag of Finland.svg Kimmo Lahtinen1994-19953.56

Top ten save percentages

League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2021/22 Season (Players with under 20 appearances not included)
Player
No.Nat.PlayerActive SeasonsSav
1 Flag of England.svg James Tipple2010-2011 & 2014-201688.48
2 Flag of Finland.svg Vesa Pennanen1985-1987 inclusive87.18
3 Flag of England.svg Aaron Mallet2012–2015 inclusive86.66
4 Flag of England.svg Steven Grout2011-2013, 2014-2016 & 2018-201985.77
5 Flag of England.svg James Andrew2016–2020 inclusive85.12
6 Flag of England.svg George Alley2005-2009, 2010–2012, 2013–2014 & 2016-201784.32
7 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Stefan Nubert2005–2007 inclusive84.05
8 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jim Graves1990-1992 inclusive83.31
9 Flag of Japan.svg Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Naomi Healey2019-2022 inclusive83.15
10 Flag of England.svg Andrew Boot2006–2009 inclusive82.09

Retired numbers

Player
NumberNat.PlayerActive SeasonsAcquired
2 Flag of England.svg Eddie Joseph1984-1993 & 2005-20061984 from London Allstars

Head coaches

Coach
Nat.CoachActive SeasonsAcquired
Flag of England.svg Dave Wurthman1984-1985n/a First Head Coach Position
Flag of England.svg Will Fish1985-1988n/a First Head Coach Position
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Lloyd Clifford1988-19901988 from Richmond Flyers
Flag of England.svg Alec Goldstone1990-19911990 from Richmond Flyers
Flag of the United States.svg Glen Goldstein1991-1992n/a First Head Coach Position
Flag of South Africa.svg Lindsey Miles1992-1994n/a First Head Coach Position
Flag of England.svg Steve James1994-1995 (Player-Coach)n/a First Head Coach Position
Flag of England.svg Eddie Joseph2005-2006 (Player-Coach)n/a First Head Coach Position
Flag of Russia.svg Sergi Smolenko2006-20092006 from London Dragons University Ice Hockey Club
Flag of England.svg Ian Prince2009-2010n/a First Head Coach Position
Flag of England.svg David Richards2010-20122010 from London Racers
Flag of England.svg Gary Dodds2012-2016n/a First Head Coach Position
Flag of England.svg George Alley2016-20182016 from Chelmsford Cobras
Flag of England.svg James Joseph2018-n/a First Head Coach Position

General Managers

Coach
Nat.General ManagerActive SeasonsAcquired
Flag of England.svg Mike Smith1984-1988n/a First General Manager Position
Flag of England.svg Terry Locks1988-19901988 from Lee Valley Lions (Assistant General Manager)
Flag of England.svg Steve James1990-1995n/a First General Manager Position
Flag of England.svg Eddie Joseph2005-2022n/a First General Manager Position

Club captains

Captain
Nat.CaptainActive Seasons as CaptainAcquired
Flag of England.svg Andy Leggatt1985-1987 (Career with club 1985-1987 inclusive)1985 from Streatham Redskins
Flag of England.svg Lee Whale1987-1989 (Career with club 1986–1991)1986 from Solihull Barons
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Kurt Wickenheiser1989-1990 (Career with club 1989-1990 inclusive)1989 from Richmond Flyers
Flag of England.svg Steve James1990-1991 (Career with club 1989-1995 inclusive)1989 from Streatham Redskins
Flag of England.svg Tony Goldstone1991-1992 (Career with club 1990–1992)1990 from Medway Bears
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Darcy Cahill1993-1994 (Career with club 1993–1994)1993 from St Thomas Wildcats (Canada)
Flag of Finland.svg Kimmo Lahtinen1994-1995 (Career with club 1994–1995)1994 from HPK (Finland)
Flag of England.svg James Hatfull2006-2007 (Career with club 2006–2015)2006 from Chelmsford Chieftains
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Flag of the United States.svg Scott Pollak2007-2008 (Career with club 2007–2008)2007 from Quinnipiac University Bobcats (USA)
Flag of England.svg Michael Ranby2008-2009 (Career with club 2005–2009)2005 from Lee Valley Lion Junior Ice Hockey Club
Flag of England.svg James Hatfull2009-2014 (Career with club 2006–2015)2006 from Medway Bears
Flag of England.svg James Hepburn2014-2015 (Career with club 2013-2015 & 2016–2017)2013 from Free Agent
Flag of England.svg Nick Alley2015-2018 (Career with club 2007-2009 & 2013–2018)2007 from Haringey Greyhounds
Flag of England.svg Simon Jones2018-2022 (Career with club 2015–2022)2015 from Free Agent

Season-by-season record

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References