Following the confirmations of Michael Farn and Tom Norton in the defensive lines of MK Lightning, the club has announced that Lewis Christie and Ross Green will remain in Milton Keynes, and Leigh Jamieson stays with the team but will become part of Lightning’s attacking threat.  Meanwhile Jacob Heron has taken the decision to move to another club.

Lewis Christie, 21, began his senior career at Belfast Giants in 2007 then signed for MK Lightning in 2008, where his career has gone from strength to strength.  He cites the incredible team spirit at Milton Keynes as just one reason why he was happy to stay:  “I’m really looking forward to being a part of a strong, competitive team again”, he said.  “There’s a fantastic team spirit here and everyone is completely focused on winning trophies, so it was an easy decision to make, to decide to stay”. Head coach Nick Poole said, “I am thrilled to have Lewis back with us for another season.  He is an absolute rock for us in defence and is someone we always want playing against other teams’ top lines.  Lewis is a very mature player and I often forget how young he is!  At 21 he still has many years of improving ahead of him, which is scary as I believe he’s arguably the best British defensive D-man in our league.”

The second-youngest member of the entire Lightning roster, Ross Green has spent the whole of his career so far playing in Milton Keynes, progressing through the ranks until his first full season with Lightning in 2009-10.  Ross’s first league goals for Lightning came in the 2010-11 season, and he was recently presented with the award for Most Improved Player.  He said, “I’m really excited about my second full season with Lightning. I feel this is the best place for me to continue my hockey development; we have such a great setup here - both the team on the ice and the support staff off the ice - that signing for another year was an easy decision. “We have the most fantastic supporters in the league that I am really looking forward to playing hockey in front of them again, and  I’m sure we’ll be challenging for silverware again after coming so close in Coventry this year.” Nick Poole spoke warmly of the satisfaction in having watched Ross’s career blossom, saying “He’s a player that everyone associated with the game in Milton Keynes should be proud of.    It has been a real privilege watching him develop into such a fine hockey player over the last ten years.  He has a massive season ahead of him which will see him be a key player on our side and also in the U20 GB team.  Ross has not only worked tirelessly to develop his own game, but he gives up many hours each week of his own time to help develop future stars in the MK junior hockey program.   He is a real credit to himself, his family and MK hockey, and he’s a player that I believe will be a future team captain.”

Born in Milton Keynes, Leigh Jamieson signed for MK Kings in 2000 and played for three seasons at the Thunderdome before heading to Belfast Giants for four seasons The 2008-09 season saw Leigh play at Coventry Blaze, before returning to Lightning for the 2009-10 season.  The 2011 season will, however, give him a chance to prove his abilities as a forward, rather than in his usual defensive position.  Leigh said, “Lightning’s a great club to play for, with an amazing bunch of guys. Our supporters are the best in the league and I’m looking forward to the new challenge of playing as a forward – and helping bring some silverware home!  I know we didn’t have as successful a year last season as we’d hoped, but we’ll learn from our mistakes and come back stronger next year. We had a huge end to the season in Coventry and unfortunately just missed out at the last hurdle - but this coming season we’lll be fighting for our position back at the top end of the league table.” Speaking about his hopes for Leigh’s role in the team for the coming season, Nick Poole said, “Leigh is an immense talent and the type of player that can turn a game with his strength and skill. I believe the move to playing as a forward will be a massive boost for us, and I know he’ll cause endless problems to defenders around the league.  With one move we have strengthened our offense giving it more goal scoring ability, size and aggression.   I know Leigh feels last year was not his best and he’s already working hard in the gym to get ready for the season ahead.  I have every confidence that Jamo will be back to his best next year, and I know he’s  looking forward to helping us win back some silverware”.

The youngest member of Lightning’s roster, Jacob Heron, 18, progressed through MK’s youth system and in 2010-11 played his first full season for Nick Poole’s side, scoring three goals. However his ice time has been limited, which Jacob says was a factor in moving on.  “I love MK Lightning - the supporters as well as the lads in the team - and I want to thank Nick Poole for everything I’ve achieved in my career so far. But leaving is the right decision for me right now, because I want to prove myself at this level, and I hope everyone will understand the reasons for my move”. Nick Poole spoke warmly of Jacob’s abilities and said he understood his reasons for the move: “It is with a bit of sadness that I watch Jacob move to another side in our league.  I understand his reason for leaving as I could not guarantee him the ice time that he understandably wants - Jacob is a hungry player and he wants to prove himself at this level.  I support him fully in this and believe that he is only out ‘on loan’, as I do see his future back in MK colours at some stage.  I’ve really enjoyed watching Jacob develop over the past 12 years and am proud of the player and person that he’s become.  I wish him every success over the coming year with his new team”.