Great Britain U20 netminder Jordan Hedley has returned to MK Lightning after a season with Swindon Wildcats, while youngsters Luc Johnson, Glenn Billing and Ed Knaggs are also back for another year with the club.

A product of the Lightning junior system, Hedley joined the Wildcats last summer as back-up to Stevie Lyle.

Head Coach Pete Russell said, “I’m delighted Jordan is back in Milton Keynes, where he belongs, as part of a really strong goalie partnership.

“Jordan is one of the top young goalies in the country and we want to help him continue to develop his game. At just 19-years-old he is still very young and has many years ahead of him.

“He spent last season working with one of Britain’s best ever goalies in the shape of Stevie Lyle – this year he is going to work and learn even more from Przemyslaw Odrobny.

“To get to work with two goalies like Stevie and Przemyslaw is a great learning curve and can only benefit Jordan in the long term. To have him back here for at least the next two years is great for our organisation.

“When Jordan and I met to discuss him returning, we spoke about him being patient and not to get disillusioned – the game in the UK has changed short term, but it will all come good for him in the end.

“I feel very fortunate to have him here and he has a real drive to continue his personal development – and more importantly he wants to do it here with us in Milton Keynes.”

“I’m delighted to have Luc, Glenn and Eddy back for another year with us,” added Russell. “They came on leaps and bounds last year in their first full professional season.

“It was a huge learning curve for them all. They had to get used to training and playing against men.

“It’s taken them a little bit of time to adjust and in the second half of the season they really proved their worth to the group. I was personally delighted for them, as I always knew they would deliver.

“It’s going to be even tougher this year again but they have the skill sets, they are getting stronger all the time, they are strong mentally and they want to be hockey players.

“They have got to keep doing what they are doing, on and off the ice, and be patient.

“We are delighted they have committed to our organisation and we are committed to them to help achieve their full potential and achieve their goals.”

(Image permission: Tony Sargent)