Milton Keynes Lightning

The Milton Keynes Lightning is an ice hockey team from Milton Keynes, England, currently (2009/2010) playing in the semi-professional English Premier Ice Hockey League (EPL) with a good record of league success. They are also a founding member of The Elite Ice Hockey League, though they have not yet entered a team in that league.

Their home arena is Planet Ice, just to the south of Milton Keynes Central railway station in Central Milton Keynes.

History
Origins

Founded in 2002, MK Lightning moved into the empty space left by the departure of Milton Keynes Kings. The MK Kings were involved in a dispute with rink owners Planet Ice, which led to the Kings re-locating to Solihull in May 2002. There they became the Solihull MK Kings for just one season before winding up in April 2003.

Five years of league success

From 2002 to 2006 MK Lightning have won 2 EPL titles and have won the EPL Playoffs 4 times.

Club Honours
2002/2003:
 * EPL Playoff Winners

2003/2004:
 * EPL Champions
 * EPL Playoff Winners

2004/2005:
 * EPL Champions
 * EPL Playoff Winners

2005/2006:
 * EPL Playoff Winners

Arena redevelopment
In November 2006, Milton Keynes Council approved plans to redevelop the arena, recognizing that it was contrary to the Structure Plan but that doing so would secure the long term future of the arena. In January 2007, the Government accepted the Council recommendation to vary the Structure Plan without an enquiry and the developers (Abbeygate) confirmed that the development will begin imminently.. The development would have included a new store for Danish furniture company ILVA as well as other leisure units.

Subsequently, ILVA UK went into administration and the plans have been shelved sine die.

Associated teams

 * Milton Keynes Thunder