Milton Keynes Ice Hockey Club (Lets Play Hockey) today received confirmation that it will not be permitted to play in the Elite Ice Hockey League
MILTON KEYNES, 14 MAY 2019: The supporter-run business, Milton Keynes Ice Hockey Club Limited (MKIHC) – owners of the “Lets Play Hockey Elite League bid” – learned today that despite further discussions with the Elite Ice Hockey League and Planet Ice, it has been unsuccessful in its bid to secure Elite League hockey for Milton Keynes.
Despite a sound business plan and strategic focus, the poor management of MK Lightning over the past two years and an increasingly alarming picture of alleged liabilities and defaults in payments to last season’s players and suppliers proved too much for the Elite League Board to sanction a new Milton Keynes team for the upcoming season. The Elite League highlighted however, that the outcome was not a reflection whatsoever on the members of Milton Keynes Ice Hockey Club or the Milton Keynes ice rink operators, Planet Ice.
The Board remain committed to hockey in Milton Keynes and thank sponsors and supporters – both local and globally – for their support throughout this process. As promised throughout, the Let’s Play Hockey team will initiate steps to return all money donated under the Founder Member and Shareholder schemes.
MKIHC will now review the potential for running a Milton Keynes NIHL team in the coming season and consider the option of an Elite League bid for the 2020/21 season. Announcements can be expected through our social media and website channels.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Tim Wallace for his assistance throughout this process and to last season’s players who have so patiently waited for a more favourable outcome. We are truly sorry guys – we take your camaraderie and fortitude forwards in whatever we do.
