Milton Keynes Thunder

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Milton Keynes Thunder
Milton Keynes Thunder logo.png
City Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
League NIHL
DivisionDivision One South
Founded2001;23 years ago (2001)
Home arena Planet Ice Arena Milton Keynes
(capacity: 2,500)
ColorsWhite, Black & Teal
   
General managerLauren Cox Flag of England.svg
Head coachWill Fry Flag of England.svg
CaptainHayden Hagger Flag of England.svg
Affiliates Milton Keynes Lightning, Milton Keynes Storm
Website thundericehockey.co.uk
Championships
NIHL South BBO Cup1 (2016–17)

The Milton Keynes Thunder are an ice hockey team from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, they are known stylistically as Thunder. The team currently competes in the Britton Conference, of the National Ice Hockey League Division 1 South (the third tier of English National Ice Hockey). The team was founded in 2001 predominantly to provide competitive hockey and further development opportunities for players leaving the Milton Keynes Junior Ice Hockey system. Their home rink is the refurbished and renamed Planet Ice Arena, known locally as the Thunderdome. It has a capacity of circa 2,500.

Contents

Club history

Foundation

Founded in 2001, MK Thunder originally shared their home rink with the Milton Keynes Kings. However, the MK Kings were involved in a dispute with rink operators Planet Ice, which led to their relocation to Solihull in May 2002. [1] The space left by the MK Kings was eventually taken by the Milton Keynes Lightning which was formed in 2002.

Position in the Milton Keynes Ice Hockey structure

As the second most senior ice hockey club in Milton Keynes, the MK Thunder have always played in the National Ice Hockey League South Division 1 or its former incarnations (English National League South, English National League South A and English National League South 1). It has been used as a vehicle to further develop Milton Keynes based players and has been a 'feeder' club for the senior hockey club Milton Keynes Lightning. The teams iced by the club have been dominated by local players, supplemented by the occasional import (league rules restrict the use of import players to just two, compared to five in the defunct old second tier EPIHL and eleven in the first tier EIHL). The club also has links with the junior system and provides development opportunities for junior players at the Milton Keynes Storm Club.

Arena redevelopment

In March 2013, Milton Keynes Council approved plans to redevelop the Leisure Plaza after failed attempts in 2006 and 2011. The development of the arena was funded by Morrisons Supermarkets and took 17 months to complete. This forced Thunder to play their home games at a temporary rink sited within the Milton Keynes City Centre in a building vacated by the Supermarket Waitrose. The rink and the MK ICE charity established to operate it was organised by the team's owner and the then general manager, David Fairhurst. The team returned to the redeveloped rink which had been renamed the "MK Arena" in October 2014.

Club honours

The Milton Keynes Thunder lifted their first silverware when they secured the NIHL South BBO Cup in the 2016-17 season.

Club roster 2022-23

Netminders
No.Nat.PlayerCatchesDate of birthPlace of birthAcquired
31 Flag of England.svg Craig Bradfield England 2021 from Free Agent
34 Flag of England.svg Vincent Bennett-GrazianoR14 August 2005 (age 19) England 2021 from Peterborough Phantoms
Defencemen
No.Nat.PlayerShootsDate of birthPlace of birthAcquired
2 Flag of England.svg Alex WhyteL23 July 1996 (age 28) Peterborough, England2014 from Peterborough Phantoms
4 Flag of England.svg Samson JamesL30 August 2000 (age 24) Coventry, England2021 from New Jersey Renegades (USA)
5 Flag of England.svg Oliver KnaggsL4 November 2005 (age 18) Watford, England2021 from Milton Keynes Storm
13 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Evan Smyth13 August 1988 (age 36) Toronto, Ontario, Canada2021 from Free Agent
14 Flag of England.svg Callum BurrR2003 (age 19) England 2021 from Free Agent
36 Flag of Lithuania.svg Flag of England.svg Daniel TamasauskasL1 July 1999 (age 25) Lithuania 2021 from Lee Valley Lions
59 Flag of England.svg Charlie Ottowell2003 (age 19) England 2022 from Free Agent
72 Flag of England.svg Daniel Angell1998 (age 24) England 2021 from Free Agent
Forwards
No.Nat.PlayerShootsDate of birthPlace of birthAcquired
6 Flag of England.svg Cole McCluskeyR{2005 (age 17) England 2021 from Milton Keynes Storm
9 Flag of England.svg Nathan DarmaninR6 March 1993 (age 31) Slough, England2021 from Chelmsford Chieftains
10 Flag of England.svg Cassius McCormackR2005 (age 17) England 2021 from Milton Keynes Storm
12 Flag of England.svg Oliver HarrisR5 May 1999 (age 25) Coventry, England2021 from Free Agent
15 Flag of the United States.svg Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Iain PetersL21 November 2000 (age 23) Charleston, South Carolina, USA2022 from Coventry Blaze NIHL
18 Flag of England.svg Aidan McGurk14 February 2004 (age 20) England 2022 from Oxford City Stars
23 Flag of England.svg Tom CarlonR18 February 1987 (age 37) Telford, England2021 from Milton Keynes Lightning
45 Flag of England.svg Hayden HaggerR Luton, England2021 from Free Agent
73 Flag of England.svg Gareth O’FlahertyR18 January 1990 (age 34) Camberley, England2021 from Peterborough Phantoms
81 Flag of England.svg Harrison GoodeL15 December 1990 (age 33) Luton, England2019 from Free Agent
82 Flag of England.svg Connor GoodeR2 November 1993 (age 30) Luton, England2021 from Free Agent
96 Flag of England.svg Alastair BarrowR23 December 1991 (age 32) England 2022 from Free Agent

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 Harrison Goode2007–2018 & 2020-2022346
2 Flag of England.svg Paul Gore2002–2009 & 2011-2017335
3 Flag of England.svg Sam Fairhurst2002–2015 inclusive325
4 Flag of England.svg Matthew Roberts2002–2003, 2004-2014 & 2015-2016294
5 Flag of England.svg Alex Whyte2013–2022 inclusive280
6 Flag of England.svg Nidal Phillips2009–2018 inclusive279
7 Flag of England.svg Jamie Randall2008–2009 & 2010-2017267
8 Flag of England.svg Tom Mboya2010–2019 inclusive245
9 Flag of England.svg Lewis Clifford2002–2011 inclusive240
9 Flag of England.svg Connor Goode2009-2013, 2014-2018 & 2021-2022240

Top ten points scorers

League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2021/22 Season
Player
No.Nat.PlayerActive SeasonsPts
1 Flag of England.svg Harrison Goode2007-2018 & 2020-2022231
2 Flag of England.svg Jamie Line2010-2011 & 2014-2019214
3 Flag of England.svg Ross Bowers2010-2011 & 2015-2019213
4 Flag of England.svg Alex Whyte2013-2022 inclusive170
5 Flag of England.svg Connor Goode2009-2013, 2014-2018 & 2021-2022163
6 Flag of England.svg Tom Mboya2010–2019 inclusive145
7 Flag of England.svg Jamie Randall2008-2009 & 2010-2017141
8 Flag of England.svg Michael Knights2003-2006 & 2007-2011121
9 Flag of England.svg Kieron Goody2002–2011 inclusive113
9 Ulster Banner.svg Aram Todd2002–2007 & 2010-2011113

Top ten goal scorers

League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2021/22 Season
Player
No.Nat.PlayerActive SeasonsGls
1 Flag of England.svg Harrison Goode2007–2018 & 2020-2022110
2 Flag of England.svg Ross Bowers2010-2011 & 2015-2019107
3 Flag of England.svg Jamie Line2010-2011 & 2014-201996
4 Flag of England.svg Connor Goode2009-2013, 2014-2018 & 2021-202278
5 Flag of England.svg Paul Jamieson2002–2011 inclusive72
6 Flag of England.svg Tom Mboya2010-2019 inclusive68
7 Flag of England.svg Alex Whyte2013-2022 inclusive62
8 Flag of Slovakia.svg Maros Stefanco2010-2012 inclusive51
9 Flag of England.svg Michael Knights2003–2006 & 2007–201148
10 Ulster Banner.svg Aram Todd2002-2007 & 2010-201146
10 Flag of England.svg Kieron Goody2002–2011 inclusive46

Top ten goal assists

League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2021/22 Season
Player
No.Nat.PlayerActive SeasonsAst
1 Flag of England.svg Harrison Goode2007-2018 & 2020-2022121
2 Flag of England.svg Jamie Line2010-2011 & 2014-2019119
3 Flag of England.svg Ross Bowers2010–2011 & 2015-2019108
3 Flag of England.svg Alex Whyte2013-2022 inclusive106
5 Flag of England.svg Jamie Randall2008–2009 & 2010-201797
6 Flag of England.svg Connor Goode2009-2013, 2014-2018 & 2021-202285
7 Flag of England.svg Tom Mboya2010-2019 inclusive77
8 Flag of England.svg Michael Knights2003–2006 & 2007-201171
9 Flag of England.svg Kieron Goody2002–2011 inclusive67
9 Ulster Banner.svg Aram Todd2002–2007 & 2010-201167

Top ten penalty minutes

League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2021/22 Season
Player
No.Nat.PlayerActive SeasonsPIM
1 Flag of England.svg Matthew Roberts2002-2003, 2004-2014 & 2015-20161520
2 Flag of England.svg Paul Gore2002–2009 & 2011–2017932
3 Flag of England.svg Lee Featherstone2003–2008 & 2009-2012746
4 Flag of England.svg Paul Jamieson2002–2011 inclusive684
5 Flag of England.svg Michael Knights2003–2006 & 2007-2011592
6 Flag of England.svg James Roberts2002–2009 inclusive555
7 Flag of England.svg Lewis Clifford2002–2011 inclusive464
8 Flag of England.svg Harrison Goode2007–2018 & 2020-2022370
9 Flag of England.svg Kieron Goody2002–2011 inclusive320
10 Flag of Slovakia.svg Ivan Turan2006–2008 inclusive269

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 Slovakia.svg Maros Stefanco2010-2012 inclusive1.65
2 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Jakub Klima2016-20171.34
3 Flag of Slovakia.svg Michal Lauko2008–20091.32
4 Flag of England.svg Ross Bowers2010-2011 & 2015-20191.31
5 Flag of Poland.svg Piotr Poziomkowski2013–2015 inclusive1.18
6 Flag of England.svg Jamie Line2010-2011 & 2014-20191.17
7 Flag of England.svg Mark Krater2002–2004 & 2005-20081.07
8 Flag of England.svg Michael Knights2003–2006 & 2007-20111.04
9 Flag of England.svg Tom Hurley2004–2008 inclusive1.02
10 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Tom Rubes2018–20191.00
10 Flag of Latvia.svg Maksims Petruks2012–2014 inclusive1.00

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 Slovakia.svg Maros Stefanco2010-2012 inclusive0.93
2 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Jakub Klima2016-20170.79
3 Flag of England.svg Jamie Holland2009–20100.74
4 Flag of England.svg Ross Bowers2010-2011 & 2015-20190.66
5 Flag of Slovakia.svg Michel Lauko2008-20090.64
6 Flag of Latvia.svg Maksims Petruks2012–2014 inclusive0.57
7 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Tom Rubes2018–20190.55
7 Flag of Poland.svg Piotr Poziomkowski2013–2015 inclusive0.55
9 Flag of England.svg Josh Nicklin2008-2010 & 2014-20160.53
10 Flag of England.svg Tom Hurley2004–2008 inclusive0.52
10 Flag of England.svg Jamie Line2010-2011 & 2014-20190.52

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 England.svg Cameron Wynn2016-20170.80
2 Flag of Slovakia.svg Maros Stefanco2010-2012 inclusive0.73
3 Flag of Slovakia.svg Michel Lauko2008–20090.68
4 Flag of England.svg Ross Bowers2010-2011 & 2015-20190.65
4 Flag of England.svg Jamie Line2010-2011 & 2014-20190.65
6 Flag of Poland.svg Piotr Poziomkowski2013-2015 inclusive0.63
7 Flag of England.svg Michael Knights2003-2006 & 2007-20110.62
8 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Jakub Klima2016-20170.56
8 Flag of England.svg Mark Krater2002-2004 & 2005-20080.56
10 Flag of England.svg Mark Conway2002-20040.55
10 Flag of England.svg Tom Carlon2017-2019 & 2021-20220.55

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 Slovakia.svg Ivan Turan2006-2008 inclusive7.08
2 Flag of England.svg Richard Munnelly2002–2004 inclusive5.78
3 Flag of England.svg Michael Knights2003-2006 & 2007-20115.19
4 Flag of England.svg Matthew Roberts2002–2003, 2004-2014 & 2015-20165.17
5 Flag of England.svg Lee Featherstone2002–2008 & 2009-20124.49
6 Flag of England.svg James Roberts2002–2009 inclusive4.08
7 Flag of Finland.svg Antti Kohvakka2019–2022 inclusive4.07
8 Flag of England.svg Zac Chamberlain2019-2021 inclusive3.17
9 Flag of England.svg Jacob Corson-Heron2008-2011 inclusive3.16
10 Flag of England.svg Paul Jamieson2002-2011 inclusive3.14

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 SeasonsSv%
1 Flag of England.svg Damien King2014-2016 inclusive92.24
2 Flag of England.svg Jordan Lawday2018-201990.19
3 Flag of England.svg Tom Annetts2017-2019 inclusive89.91
4 Flag of England.svg Denis Bell2013-201488.96
5 Flag of England.svg David Wride2016-201788.94
6 Flag of England.svg Mark Woolf2002–2014 & 2015-201888.91
7 Flag of England.svg Jordan Hedley2012-201388.17
8 Flag of England.svg Graham Laverick2019-2021 inclusive87.91
9 Flag of England.svg David Cassidy2010–2014 inclusive85.61
10 Flag of England.svg Kim Taylor2003–2008 inclusive81.81

Retired Numbers

Player
NumberNat.PlayerActive SeasonsAcquired
1 Flag of England.svg Mark Woolf2002–2014 & 2015-20182002 from Milton Keynes Kings

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References

  1. "MK Kings live on in Solihull". Milton Keynes Citizen. May 2002.