Ice hockey team in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Milton Keynes Thunder |
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![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/41/Milton_Keynes_Thunder_logo.png/220px-Milton_Keynes_Thunder_logo.png) |
City | Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire |
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League | NIHL |
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Division | Division One South |
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Founded | 2001; 23 years ago (2001) |
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Home arena | Planet Ice Arena Milton Keynes (capacity: 2,500) |
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Colors | White, Black & Teal |
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General manager | Lauren Cox ![England](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/be/Flag_of_England.svg/23px-Flag_of_England.svg.png) |
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Head coach | Eliott Moran ![England](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/be/Flag_of_England.svg/23px-Flag_of_England.svg.png) |
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Affiliates | Milton Keynes Lightning, Milton Keynes Storm |
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Website | www.mkthunder.com |
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Championships |
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NIHL South BBO Cup | 1 (2016–17) |
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The Milton Keynes Thunder are an ice hockey team from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, they are known stylistically as the Milton Keynes Rightmove Thunder for sponsorship purposes, and 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.
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. | Player | Catches | Date of birth | Place of birth | Acquired |
31 | | Craig Bradfield | | | England | 2021 from Free Agent |
34 | | Vincent Bennett-Graziano | R | (2005-08-14) 14 August 2005 (age 18) | England | 2021 from Peterborough Phantoms |
Defencemen |
No. | Nat. | Player | Shoots | Date of birth | Place of birth | Acquired |
2 | | Alex Whyte | L | (1996-07-23) 23 July 1996 (age 28) | Peterborough, England | 2014 from Peterborough Phantoms |
4 | | Samson James | L | (2000-08-30) 30 August 2000 (age 23) | Coventry, England | 2021 from New Jersey Renegades (USA) |
5 | | Oliver Knaggs | L | (2005-11-04) 4 November 2005 (age 18) | Watford, England | 2021 from Milton Keynes Storm |
13 | ![Canada](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/Flag_of_Canada_%28Pantone%29.svg/23px-Flag_of_Canada_%28Pantone%29.svg.png) | Evan Smyth | | (1988-08-13) 13 August 1988 (age 35) | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | 2021 from Free Agent |
14 | | Callum Burr | R | 2003 (age 19) | England | 2021 from Free Agent |
36 | ![Lithuania](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/11/Flag_of_Lithuania.svg/23px-Flag_of_Lithuania.svg.png) | Daniel Tamasauskas | L | (1999-07-01) 1 July 1999 (age 25) | Lithuania | 2021 from Lee Valley Lions |
59 | | Charlie Ottowell | | 2003 (age 19) | England | 2022 from Free Agent |
72 | | Daniel Angell | | 1998 (age 24) | England | 2021 from Free Agent |
Forwards |
No. | Nat. | Player | Shoots | Date of birth | Place of birth | Acquired |
6 | | Cole McCluskey | R | {2005 (age 17) | England | 2021 from Milton Keynes Storm |
9 | | Nathan Darmanin | R | (1993-03-06) 6 March 1993 (age 31) | Slough, England | 2021 from Chelmsford Chieftains |
10 | | Cassius McCormack | R | 2005 (age 17) | England | 2021 from Milton Keynes Storm |
12 | | Oliver Harris | R | (1999-05-05) 5 May 1999 (age 25) | Coventry, England | 2021 from Free Agent |
15 | ![United States](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/23px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png) | Iain Peters | L | (2000-11-21) 21 November 2000 (age 23) | Charleston, South Carolina, USA | 2022 from Coventry Blaze NIHL |
18 | | Aidan McGurk | | (2004-02-14) 14 February 2004 (age 20) | England | 2022 from Oxford City Stars |
23 | | Tom Carlon | R | (1987-02-18) 18 February 1987 (age 37) | Telford, England | 2021 from Milton Keynes Lightning |
45 | | Hayden Hagger | R | | Luton, England | 2021 from Free Agent |
73 | | Gareth O’Flaherty | R | (1990-01-18) 18 January 1990 (age 34) | Camberley, England | 2021 from Peterborough Phantoms |
81 | | Harrison Goode | L | (1990-12-15) 15 December 1990 (age 33) | Luton, England | 2019 from Free Agent |
82 | | Connor Goode | R | (1993-11-02) 2 November 1993 (age 30) | Luton, England | 2021 from Free Agent |
96 | | Alastair Barrow | R | (1991-12-23) 23 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. | Player | Active Seasons | App |
1 | | Harrison Goode | 2007–2018 & 2020-2022 | 346 |
2 | | Paul Gore | 2002–2009 & 2011-2017 | 335 |
3 | | Sam Fairhurst | 2002–2015 inclusive | 325 |
4 | | Matthew Roberts | 2002–2003, 2004-2014 & 2015-2016 | 294 |
5 | | Alex Whyte | 2013–2022 inclusive | 280 |
6 | | Nidal Phillips | 2009–2018 inclusive | 279 |
7 | | Jamie Randall | 2008–2009 & 2010-2017 | 267 |
8 | | Tom Mboya | 2010–2019 inclusive | 245 |
9 | | Lewis Clifford | 2002–2011 inclusive | 240 |
9 | | Connor Goode | 2009-2013, 2014-2018 & 2021-2022 | 240 |
Top ten points scorers
- League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2021/22 Season
Player |
No. | Nat. | Player | Active Seasons | Pts |
1 | | Harrison Goode | 2007-2018 & 2020-2022 | 231 |
2 | | Jamie Line | 2010-2011 & 2014-2019 | 214 |
3 | | Ross Bowers | 2010-2011 & 2015-2019 | 213 |
4 | | Alex Whyte | 2013-2022 inclusive | 170 |
5 | | Connor Goode | 2009-2013, 2014-2018 & 2021-2022 | 163 |
6 | | Tom Mboya | 2010–2019 inclusive | 145 |
7 | | Jamie Randall | 2008-2009 & 2010-2017 | 141 |
8 | | Michael Knights | 2003-2006 & 2007-2011 | 121 |
9 | | Kieron Goody | 2002–2011 inclusive | 113 |
9 | | Aram Todd | 2002–2007 & 2010-2011 | 113 |
Top ten goal scorers
- League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2021/22 Season
Player |
No. | Nat. | Player | Active Seasons | Gls |
1 | | Harrison Goode | 2007–2018 & 2020-2022 | 110 |
2 | | Ross Bowers | 2010-2011 & 2015-2019 | 107 |
3 | | Jamie Line | 2010-2011 & 2014-2019 | 96 |
4 | | Connor Goode | 2009-2013, 2014-2018 & 2021-2022 | 78 |
5 | | Paul Jamieson | 2002–2011 inclusive | 72 |
6 | | Tom Mboya | 2010-2019 inclusive | 68 |
7 | | Alex Whyte | 2013-2022 inclusive | 62 |
8 | | Maros Stefanco | 2010-2012 inclusive | 51 |
9 | | Michael Knights | 2003–2006 & 2007–2011 | 48 |
10 | | Aram Todd | 2002-2007 & 2010-2011 | 46 |
10 | | Kieron Goody | 2002–2011 inclusive | 46 |
Top ten goal assists
- League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2021/22 Season
Player |
No. | Nat. | Player | Active Seasons | Ast |
1 | | Harrison Goode | 2007-2018 & 2020-2022 | 121 |
2 | | Jamie Line | 2010-2011 & 2014-2019 | 119 |
3 | | Ross Bowers | 2010–2011 & 2015-2019 | 108 |
3 | | Alex Whyte | 2013-2022 inclusive | 106 |
5 | | Jamie Randall | 2008–2009 & 2010-2017 | 97 |
6 | | Connor Goode | 2009-2013, 2014-2018 & 2021-2022 | 85 |
7 | | Tom Mboya | 2010-2019 inclusive | 77 |
8 | | Michael Knights | 2003–2006 & 2007-2011 | 71 |
9 | | Kieron Goody | 2002–2011 inclusive | 67 |
9 | | Aram Todd | 2002–2007 & 2010-2011 | 67 |
Top ten penalty minutes
- League, Cup & Play Offs; as at end of 2021/22 Season
Player |
No. | Nat. | Player | Active Seasons | PIM |
1 | | Matthew Roberts | 2002-2003, 2004-2014 & 2015-2016 | 1520 |
2 | | Paul Gore | 2002–2009 & 2011–2017 | 932 |
3 | | Lee Featherstone | 2003–2008 & 2009-2012 | 746 |
4 | | Paul Jamieson | 2002–2011 inclusive | 684 |
5 | | Michael Knights | 2003–2006 & 2007-2011 | 592 |
6 | | James Roberts | 2002–2009 inclusive | 555 |
7 | | Lewis Clifford | 2002–2011 inclusive | 464 |
8 | | Harrison Goode | 2007–2018 & 2020-2022 | 370 |
9 | | Kieron Goody | 2002–2011 inclusive | 320 |
10 | | Ivan Turan | 2006–2008 inclusive | 269 |
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. | Player | Active Seasons | Pts |
1 | | Maros Stefanco | 2010-2012 inclusive | 1.65 |
2 | | Jakub Klima | 2016-2017 | 1.34 |
3 | | Michal Lauko | 2008–2009 | 1.32 |
4 | | Ross Bowers | 2010-2011 & 2015-2019 | 1.31 |
5 | | Piotr Poziomkowski | 2013–2015 inclusive | 1.18 |
6 | | Jamie Line | 2010-2011 & 2014-2019 | 1.17 |
7 | | Mark Krater | 2002–2004 & 2005-2008 | 1.07 |
8 | | Michael Knights | 2003–2006 & 2007-2011 | 1.04 |
9 | | Tom Hurley | 2004–2008 inclusive | 1.02 |
10 | | Tom Rubes | 2018–2019 | 1.00 |
10 | | Maksims Petruks | 2012–2014 inclusive | 1.00 |
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. | Player | Active Seasons | Gls |
1 | | Maros Stefanco | 2010-2012 inclusive | 0.93 |
2 | | Jakub Klima | 2016-2017 | 0.79 |
3 | | Jamie Holland | 2009–2010 | 0.74 |
4 | | Ross Bowers | 2010-2011 & 2015-2019 | 0.66 |
5 | | Michel Lauko | 2008-2009 | 0.64 |
6 | | Maksims Petruks | 2012–2014 inclusive | 0.57 |
7 | | Tom Rubes | 2018–2019 | 0.55 |
7 | | Piotr Poziomkowski | 2013–2015 inclusive | 0.55 |
9 | | Josh Nicklin | 2008-2010 & 2014-2016 | 0.53 |
10 | | Tom Hurley | 2004–2008 inclusive | 0.52 |
10 | | Jamie Line | 2010-2011 & 2014-2019 | 0.52 |
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. | Player | Active Seasons | Ast |
1 | | Cameron Wynn | 2016-2017 | 0.80 |
2 | | Maros Stefanco | 2010-2012 inclusive | 0.73 |
3 | | Michel Lauko | 2008–2009 | 0.68 |
4 | | Ross Bowers | 2010-2011 & 2015-2019 | 0.65 |
4 | | Jamie Line | 2010-2011 & 2014-2019 | 0.65 |
6 | | Piotr Poziomkowski | 2013-2015 inclusive | 0.63 |
7 | | Michael Knights | 2003-2006 & 2007-2011 | 0.62 |
8 | | Jakub Klima | 2016-2017 | 0.56 |
8 | | Mark Krater | 2002-2004 & 2005-2008 | 0.56 |
10 | | Mark Conway | 2002-2004 | 0.55 |
10 | | Tom Carlon | 2017-2019 & 2021-2022 | 0.55 |
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. | Player | Active Seasons | PIM |
1 | | Ivan Turan | 2006-2008 inclusive | 7.08 |
2 | | Richard Munnelly | 2002–2004 inclusive | 5.78 |
3 | | Michael Knights | 2003-2006 & 2007-2011 | 5.19 |
4 | | Matthew Roberts | 2002–2003, 2004-2014 & 2015-2016 | 5.17 |
5 | | Lee Featherstone | 2002–2008 & 2009-2012 | 4.49 |
6 | | James Roberts | 2002–2009 inclusive | 4.08 |
7 | | Antti Kohvakka | 2019–2022 inclusive | 4.07 |
8 | | Zac Chamberlain | 2019-2021 inclusive | 3.17 |
9 | | Jacob Corson-Heron | 2008-2011 inclusive | 3.16 |
10 | | Paul Jamieson | 2002-2011 inclusive | 3.14 |
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. | Player | Active Seasons | Sv% |
1 | | Damien King | 2014-2016 inclusive | 92.24 |
2 | | Jordan Lawday | 2018-2019 | 90.19 |
3 | | Tom Annetts | 2017-2019 inclusive | 89.91 |
4 | | Denis Bell | 2013-2014 | 88.96 |
5 | | David Wride | 2016-2017 | 88.94 |
6 | | Mark Woolf | 2002–2014 & 2015-2018 | 88.91 |
7 | | Jordan Hedley | 2012-2013 | 88.17 |
8 | | Graham Laverick | 2019-2021 inclusive | 87.91 |
9 | | David Cassidy | 2010–2014 inclusive | 85.61 |
10 | | Kim Taylor | 2003–2008 inclusive | 81.81 |
Retired Numbers
Player |
Number | Nat. | Player | Active Seasons | Acquired |
1 | | Mark Woolf | 2002–2014 & 2015-2018 | 2002 from Milton Keynes Kings |
Season-by-season record Milton Keynes Thunder season-by-season record | Season | League | GP | W | OTW | T | OTL | L | PTS | GF | GA | League Position | 2001–02 | ENIHL South | 18 | 8 | N/A | 1 | N/A | 9 | 17 | 77 | 102 | 6th | 2002–03 | ENIHL South | 20 | 8 | N/A | 2 | N/A | 10 | 18 | 77 | 76 | 4th | 2003–04 | ENIHL South | 16 | 9 | N/A | 2 | N/A | 5 | 20 | 62 | 42 | 3rd | 2004–05 | ENIHL South | 18 | 7 | N/A | 4 | N/A | 7 | 18 | 51 | 66 | 5th | 2005–06 | ENIHL South | 20 | 8 | N/A | 4 | N/A | 8 | 20 | 84 | 74 | 6th | 2006–07 | ENIHL South | 22 | 5 | N/A | 4 | N/A | 15 | 14 | 79 | 99 | 9th | 2007–08 | ENIHL South A | 16 | 9 | N/A | 2 | N/A | 5 | 20 | 67 | 50 | 4th | 2008–09 | ENIHL South 1 | 28 | 7 | N/A | 5 | N/A | 16 | 19 | 73 | 114 | 7th | 2009–10 | ENIHL South 1 | 36 | 6 | N/A | 3 | N/A | 27 | 15 | 107 | 228 | 8th | 2010–11 | ENIHL South 1 | 40 | 14 | N/A | 4 | N/A | 22 | 32 | 147 | 192 | 7th | 2011–12 | ENIHL South 1 | 36 | 7 | N/A | 4 | N/A | 25 | 18 | 105 | 216 | 8th | 2012–13 | NIHL South 1 | 32 | 6 | N/A | 1 | N/A | 25 | 13 | 130 | 179 | 8th | 2013–14 | NIHL South 1 | 32 | 3 | N/A | 1 | N/A | 28 | 7 | 78 | 233 | 9th | 2014–15 | NIHL South 1 | 36 | 16 | N/A | 5 | N/A | 15 | 37 | 127 | 118 | 6th | 2015–16 | NIHL South 1 | 36 | 14 | N/A | 2 | N/A | 20 | 30 | 127 | 149 | 7th | 2016–17 | NIHL South 1 | 28 | 9 | N/A | 2 | N/A | 17 | 20 | 91 | 125 | 7th | 2017–18 | NIHL South 1 | 31 | 6 | 3 | N/A | 6 | 16 | 25 | 74 | 120 | 7th | 2018–19 | NIHL South 1 | 42 | 2 | 2 | N/A | 1 | 31 | 21 | 102 | 179 | 7th | 2019–20 | NIHL South 1 | 36 | 3 | 2 | N/A | 1 | 27 | 11 | 64 | 216 | 10th | 2021–22 | NIHL South 1 | 32 | 2 | 2 | N/A | 1 | 27 | 9 | 101 | 236 | 9th | Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; OTW = Overtime Wins; OTL = Overtime Losses; L = Losses; T = Ties; PTS = Points; GF = Goals For; GA = Goals Against | |
Associated teams
References
- ^ "MK Kings live on in Solihull". Milton Keynes Citizen. May 2002.
External links
- Milton Keynes Thunder
- MKIH Forums
- Planet Ice
Governing bodies | |
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Elite League | |
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National Ice Hockey League | National League | |
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North Division 1 | |
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South Division 1 | |
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North Division 2 | |
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South Division 2 | |
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Scottish National League | |
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Women's National Ice Hockey League | WNIHL Elite | |
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WNIHL Premier | - Bracknell Firebees
- Cardiff Comets
- Chelmsford Cobras
- Kingston Diamonds B
- Milton Keynes Falcons
- Sheffield Shadows
- Swindon TopCats
- Whitley Squaws
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Division 1 North | - Grimsby Wolves
- Nottingham Vipers B
- Sheffield Shadows B
- Solway Sharks Ladies
- Telford Wrekin Raiders
- Widnes Wild Women
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Division 1 South | - Coventry Phoenix
- Oxford Midnight Stars
- Peterborough Penguins
- Slough Sirens
- Solent Amazons
- Streatham Storm B
- Swindon TopCats B
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British University Teams | |
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Competitions | |
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Player awards | |
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Defunct leagues and competitions | |
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Defunct teams | |
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Miscellaneous | |
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