The future of ice hockey in Milton Keynes has been given a big boost

Young ice hockey talent in Milton Keynes have been given a clear pathway to joining MK Lightning thanks to new investment from the club.

The city’s premier ice hockey team have pumped money into junior side MK Storm, including funding the appointment of Joe Wilson as hockey director to lead the programme.

Wilson will set the coaching philosophy across the age groups, identify and nurture young talent, and build a consistent, progressive approach that carries players through the MK system. The role will also see him work directly with the senior men’s and women’s hockey teams in Milton Keynes, connecting the junior and senior game to support genuine end-to-end pathways.

Most recently assistant coach at MK Lightning, where he was part of the NIHL Cup-winning side of 2023/24 and the Playoff Championship side of 2025/26, he has also served as assistant coach with GB Men’s Under 16s and as a coach with England U14s, giving him first-hand experience of developing the country’s best young players.

He has been a lead coach with the renowned Clarke & Co Hockey Clinics for over a decade, has worked alongside elite-level coaches including time spent with the Nottingham Panthers, and has continued his own development through the NHL Coaches’ Association mentorship programme.

Speaking about his appointment, he said: “Player development has always been at the heart of my coaching philosophy. For me, it’s about much more than simply coaching a player for the team they are currently in, it’s about helping every player develop, challenge themselves and have a clear pathway to progress through the different levels of the game.

“From my conversations with the Storm committee, it quickly became clear that we all share the same vision: bringing the MK junior teams together through one strong partnership, creating a connected programme and, most importantly, a clear development pathway for every player.

“Having spent the last four seasons working with Lightning, I’ve had the opportunity to see the MK junior setup first-hand and understand both the strengths and the opportunities that exist within the programme.

“I’m really looking forward to building on the foundation that exists and helping create an exciting future for hockey in Milton Keynes.”

George Gavriel, chairman of MK Storm added: “Joe is the ideal person to lead this next chapter for junior hockey in Milton Keynes. His experience, knowledge of the MK hockey community and genuine passion for developing players make him a fantastic fit for the role.

“Joe’s appointment gives us an opportunity to strengthen the links between MK Storm, MK Lightning and the other senior clubs in MK, creating a more connected pathway for players from junior hockey into the senior game.”