Carlon makes the switch to the Lightning

The MK Lightning has confirmed the signing of British forward Tom Carlon for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons; as they continue to show their intent on challenging for EPL honours next season.

It is a great pick-up for Head Coach Nick Poole, as he adds the highly-rated forward to his British contingent. He said that the chance to sign Tom for the Lightning on a two year deal was an opportunity not to be missed. “I’ve spoken with Tom over the past few summers about him coming to play in MK, and I’m very pleased that we have finally captured his signature. He is a big strong player that I’ve admired since I saw him play junior hockey. Over the last few years he has gained confidence and become one of our league’s best British forwards.

“Tom is ambitious, he wants to win trophies and we know he’ll fit right in with our style of play. He’s a very good skater with an excellent shot and will immediately improve our offence, and he brings a lot of experience at international level and also from his time in the Elite league. His size and strength will add to our forecheck and he will be a real thorn in the side of opposition defences.”

Carlon makes the switch to MK for 2013-14.

Carlon makes the switch from the Lightning’s local rivals; the Peterborough Phantoms after three and a half seasons with the Cambridgeshire club.

The Telford born forward began his junior development with the Telford Wildfoxes aged 14 and began to progress through the clubs rankings, with his skill and ability earning him call ups to the Great Britain Under 18 and Under 20 selection between 2003 and 2005. He has captained the GB U18’s and has won several gold medals at international level.

Icing full-time for Telford, Tom also enjoyed guest appearances with the Coventry Blaze in the Elite League and was signed on a permanent basis in 2006; when the club took the League Championship.

In 2007 he made the switch back to the English Premier League and headed south to join the Bracknell Bees. 2008 marked a switch back to his home-town team; however with the Tigers unable to compete in 2009 due to financial reasons he made the switch to join the new league champions for his first spell with the Phantoms. After two seasons he made the switch to join the Jets, but financial difficulties saw him released mid-season and he made a return to the Phantoms.

Tom is very capable in the forward position and has good positioning and awareness on the ice. He is also able to score and will give the Lightning added fire power across their forward lines. However he is not a player that will score 50 goals a season and his abilities are utilised elsewhere. A player that is not afraid to put his body on the line or through a hit when needed; he is a great addition to Poole’s team.

He is coming off the back of his second best season in the EPL in terms of point production having scored 54pts from 21 goals and 33 assists. It will be interesting to see if Tom can once again be part of a championship winning side and what role he will play in MK depending on the further signings made by Poole.

MK Lightning Add 4 to their Brit Pack

The Milton Keynes Lightning have confirmed the return of four of their influential Brits for the 2013-14 season. Team Captain Adam Carr returns for an 11th straight season with the Lightning and is joined by fan’s favourite Leigh Jamieson, Lewis Christie and Michael Farn.

All four men signed two year contracts during the summer of 2012, something of an unknown in the English Premier League and will return for another season with the Lightning.

Carr joined the Lightning in 2003-04 following a season with the Isle of Wight Raiders, where he made is senior debut. Carr also made an appearance for the Basingstoke Bison in the EIHL in his first season; however apart from an overseas switch to the Sydney Icedogs in 2004-05 in the Australian Ice Hockey League, has remained a Lightning member for the remainder of his senior career. The centreman has been a consistent point scorer during his time with the Lightning; averaging around 40 points a season. It was no doubt that Carr would return for another season with MK. He is Lightning through-and-through and will likely end his career with them.

Leigh Jamieson makes a return to the Lightning for his 5th successive season after ending the season as the team’s leading point scorer. Jamieson is a quality player that can play either defence or offence. The past two seasons Leigh has stepped up and been an integral forward for the Lightning registering over 70 points each season.

His vast experience includes spells in the Elite League with the Belfast Giants and Coventry Blaze and he is a valuable asset to any team. He will once again be a vital piece in Head Coach Nick Poole’s plans for 2013-14.

Defenceman Michael Farn has continued to demonstrate his valued spot on the team with stella performances week in, week out; including the Man of the Match accolade at the recent Play-off Semi-final match against the Guildford Flames.

2013-14 will mark Farn’s 5th season with the Lightning having joined the club from the Swindon Wildcats at the end of 2008-09.

Fellow defenceman Christie will start is 6th consecutive season in 2013-14 having joined the club from the Giants in 2008. Despite his low scoring Christie goes about his job of defending and does it well as he is considered one of the better defenceman in the EPL. With Farn and Christie back again, Poole has a solid foundation to work from at the back and can positively build on them as he looks to develop a team capable of challenging at the top of the EPL.

Alongside the announcement that Blaz Emersic will return for a third season (Here), Poole has the makings of a good team once again. But will they be able to challenge the establishment at the top of the league.