Whilst MK Lightning's players are obviously at the heart of the club's fortunes, the quality of the off-ice support unit is just as important. With this in mind, the Lightning can announce another close-season re-signing in the form of Sylvia Tuleweit, the team's Marketing Manager.

Sylvia will be a familiar and friendly face to many supporters at the Thunderdome - not only attending matches to support her partner, Lightning forward Blaz Emersic and his team-mates, but also as an enthusiastic matchnight volunteer helping the MKL Supporters' Club to raise funds. And she certainly knows the business side of the game every bit as well as the sporting side, having started her role with Lightning during the 2011-12 season after previously being General Manager at Slough Jets for 18 months before Blaz signed  for the Lightning.

Sylvia's role involves approaching businesses and organisations to tell them about the benefits of investing in advertising and sponsorship packages with the Lightning - the English Premier League's most successful team. As well as obvious opportunities such as player kit logos, advertising and sponsorship packages can be tailored to suit every organisation's budget - from simply sponsoring the match pucks or the game itself, to becoming a title sponsor.

The club's General Manager, Vito Rausa, said he was confident that Sylvia's appointment would pay dividends.  "In any organisation, it can take some time to find the person you think is right for a particular role - and in Sylvia we have someone who is perfect to spread the word of how businesses and organisations will benefit from getting involved with us. She's incredibly passionate about ice hockey for its own sake, and she knows the business side of the sport - she understands what it will take to persuade companies to commit to us, and how to explain what businesses will get in return.

"Ice hockey is one of the fastest-growing spectator sports in the UK, and we certainly had some nights to remember here in Milton Keynes last season - the packed house against Guildford, the Cup semi-final and the 20-penalty shoot-out against Bracknell certainly stick in the mind!  Add to that the attraction to potential partners of a refreshed team for next season with some exciting signings still to come, and captain Adam Carr's testimonial next summer, and we hope to keep Sylvia very busy indeed!"

To contact Sylvia about marketing and sponsorship opportunities with the Lightning, email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it