Lightning announce first signings for next season
Adam Brittle signs from Wightlink as Adam Carr returns
Less than a week after the end of the league season Milton Keynes Lightning have announced their first recruits for the 2009-2010 season.
Player coach Nick Poole has finally landed the signature of Adam Brittle who finished last season as the second highest points scorer at bottom side, Wightlink Raiders.
And Adam Carr who won the coach's prize at Lightning's end of season awards evening held at the Jurys Inn Hotel on Friday has been revealed as the second signing for the next campaign.
Both signings were announced to fans at the awards evening by team manager, Vito Rausa.
Poole has been tracking Brittle for a couple of years and he said he is delighted to have got his man at last.
The coach said: "He is fast and can score goals. He plays the game the way it should be played and I'm sure he will fit in well with our team."
The 23 year old amassed 64 points - 31 goals and 33 assists - for Wightlink last year.
He made his English Premier League debut for Telford Wildfoxes in the 2001-2002 and spent two seasons with Swindon Wildcats before joining Wightlink.
Adam Carr also played for Wightlink before joining Lightning during the 2003-2004 season - he has just completed his most successful campaign yet for the club with 49 points from 24 goals and 25 assists.
Goalie Barry Hollyhead bagged two awards at the annual awards evening. .
Hollyhead who was a virtual ever present during Lightning's 2008-2009 campaign received the the most valuable player and players' player accolades.
With only inexperienced back-up netminders to support Hollyhead he featured in all 54 league games plus three play-off games with a save average over well over 90 per cent. Only when Lightning had established comfortable leads in games did get a break.
The best defensive player award went to Czech giant Lukas Zatopek while he also picked up the supporters club of the year prize.
Top points scorer was again Gary Clarke with Michael Wales, who has probably had best season yet for Lightning, won the most improved player award.
But there was some disappointment for fans at the evening with the news that Swede Joakim Wiklander will not be able to return for the new season in September due to business commitments in his home country.
Lightning's form improved significantly after Wiklander joined the club in January with both linemates Gary Clarke and Adam Carr benefiting goalwise.
Player coach Nick Poole said the team have not shut the door on Wiklander returning later if circumstances allow. Wiklander was unable to attend the awards evening.
Lightning's season comes to an end today, Saturday, with a testimonial match for Nick Poole, starting at 6.30pm. For further details click here.< /a>
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Weather for Milton Keynes
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: -6 C to 0 C
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