Lee Valley Lions

We complete our roster announcements ahead of the new season as we confirm three young forwards have signed up, with Dylan Hollinshead and Hayden Allen re-signing and Jake Brown joining the club.

20-year-old Dylan Hollinshead signed with the Lions in 2023, and our #20 now enters his fourth season with the club, having already iced over 50 times in a Lee Valley jersey.

#9 Hayden Allen joined the Lions on a two-way deal from Romford juniors last season, icing 16 times for the Lions and grabbing his first goal away at Chelmsford. Now the 18-year-old signs up with the Lions full-time ahead of the new season.

Finally, 18-year-old Jake Brown joins us from Haringey juniors where he spent the last two seasons, and will wear the #27 jersey for the Lions.

Lions head coach Simon Jones on the three youngsters: “Dylan and Hayden have embraced their roles and development in recent seasons and add a lot of enthusiasm and energy to the room. This year will be another year working towards featuring regularly and focusing on developing their game.

Jake came through the juniors at Lee Valley and whilst I have not worked with him previously, I have been impressed with his attitude in sessions so far and think he will develop quickly this season.”

We can today confirm the addition of three new forwards to the Lions, as we welcome Dan Smith, Jack Lake, and Sam Wyatt to the club.

30-year-old Dan Smith, who will wear #83, played 33 games in NIHL2 for the Invicta Mustangs between 2015 and 2017, and now returns to league hockey after nine years away.

Our new #95 Jack Lake is 22 years old and will make his debut in league hockey after playing for the Medway Eagles rec side.

Finally, 24-year-old Sam Wyatt played 10 games for the Invicta Mustangs last season and now moves across to Lee Valley where he’ll wear #12.

Lions head coach Simon Jones on the three additions: “Jack, Dan and Sam join this season and I have already seen their commitment to their development through the offseason. They all have an excellent grounding in the fundamentals and are very coachable. I’m sure that the team and the fans will enjoy watching their development this year.”

We can today announce three more forwards for the upcoming season, as Luke Rose and Harry Wright sign on for their first full seasons with the club, and Jordan Turner returns after eight years away.

19-year-old Luke Rose joined us on a two-way deal with Invicta juniors just before the registration deadline back in January 2026, and iced for the Lions four times towards the end of the season. He’ll play full time for the Lions this season and will wear the #8 jersey.

Harry Wright came through Romford juniors and joined us on a two-way deal from Romford Buccaneers in NIHL1 last season, icing six times in a Lee Valley jersey. He also joins us full-time this season and will wear #18.

Finally, #77 Jordan Turner returns to the Lions for the first time in eight years, having played 36 games for the club between 2013 and 2018.

Lions head coach Simon Jones on the three signings: “A range of familiar faces that I’m glad are back on board this year.

Luke returns having signed part-way through last season. Luke is extremely coachable and gives his all on the ice. In the short time he has been with us his game has come on leaps and bounds and I’m sure that growth will continue this season.

Harry was with us on a two-way from Romford before taking time to travel last season. I am really pleased that he has joined us on a full-time basis this year. He adds quality as well as grit, embracing a range of role in all situations.

Jordan returns after a while away from Lee Valley and I’m looking forward to working with him. Jordan has good quality but also a fantastic work ethic to maximise his impact, underpinned by a positive attitude at all times to do his best for the team. When he came to the trials in the summer I was really pleased to see him interested in a return.”

We can today announce the completion of our defensive corps, as both James Broughton and Vivian McGee return to the Lions after disrupted seasons last time out, and Morgan Wickens joins as a new face on the roster.

20-year old Vivian McGee has already racked up a wealth of ice hockey experience across several leagues, and has also appeared 20 times for Great Britain Women at Under 18 World Championships and at the World University Games.

She signed with the Lions in early 2026, but was unfortunately only able to ice for the Lions once due to injury. She returns to the Lions and wears the #5 jersey for this upcoming season, which she’ll split with Queen Bees IHC of the WNIHL Elite league.

Lions head coach Simon Jones on Vivian’s re-signing: “Vivian joined part way through last season and then immediately lost time to injury. Back again this year I know Vivian is keen to develop into a key contributor – I think she spends the most time of any player on the ice each week and that commitment is exactly what we need.”

Our #89 James Broughton joined the side last season but was also unlucky with injuries and was only able to ice on four occasions.

He showed his undoubted commitment to the team in January when he iced in Slough for a very short-benched Lions side, despite his injury.

Simon Jones on James’ return: “James rejoins this season after being hit by injury last year. James has worked really hard to improve all aspects of his game and I am sure that will continue this season.”

Finally we welcome our new #60, former Oxford Rising Stars and Coventry NIHL Blaze blueliner Morgan Wickens, to the club after he impressed at our summer trials.

Simon Jones on the addition of Morgan to the side: “Morgan impressed at trials this offseason and has already made an excellent impression as a D-man as well as a team player. I’m looking forward to working with him and helping his development this year.”

We’re happy to announce two more names on our roster for the upcoming season, with the return of defenceman Sam Jackson and the new addition of forward Sam Wills.

The former Chelmsford, Haringey, and Streatham d-man Sam Jackson joined the Lions last season, however work commitments kept him to just eight appearances in a Lee Valley jersey.

He is back for more this season to add quality and speed to the Lions blueline, and will wear the #4 jersey.

Lions head coach Simon Jones on Sam J’s return: “Sam Jackson joined last season and is back this year and we are hoping he will have an even bigger impact as work commitments kept him away from the team last season. Sam has bags of ability and I’m looking forward to working with him more this season.”

29-year-old forward Sam Wills came through Streatham’s junior system before making a handful of appearances for Streatham in NIHL1 during the 2013-14 season.

He’s been out of league hockey for quite some time, and joins the Lions this season where he’ll wear the #52 jersey.

Lions head coach Simon Jones on the addition of Sam W: “Sam Wills came along to a trial this summer and his quality was clear, even having been away from league hockey for a while. Sam is a smart player that works hard and I am confident he will be a key contributor this season.”