Author: Laurence Thorn

The Lee Valley Lions are delighted to announce defenceman James O’Brien as the next addition to our squad for the upcoming season.

O’Brien, who will make his senior debut this season, was part of the Coventry Blaze U20 side that won the EIHA Under 20 league last year. James played all ten of his side’s games last season, tallying one assist and taking four penalty minutes.

All of James’ junior career prior to last season was spent at Milton Keynes, where he rose through the ranks from the U16 “B” side, up to the U16s and then to the U18s. He was captain of the Milton Keynes U18 side in the 2016-17 season, scoring one goal and one assist.

You can see James’ statistics here courtesy of eliteprospects.com.

James is the first of two signings to be revealed this weekend – keep an eye out for a returnee to the Lions who will be announced tomorrow!

The Lions are pleased to announce the signing of forward Michael Jacobs.

Michael has played most of his hockey career at Romford and quit the sport when the Rom Valley Way rink closed.

However the Hornchurch-born forward is now returning to hockey with Lee Valley, where he played between 2005 and 2009 – scoring 24 goals in 48 games in a Lions jersey.

Michael is an out-and-out goal scorer and will give the new-look team a cutting edge.

Click here to view Michael’s career statistics courtesy of eliteprospects.com.

Michael Jacobs in action for the Lions during his first spell with the club.

Lee Valley Lions are pleased to announce the signing of Tom Hnilica as the club’s non-British trained player for the 2018/2019 season.

Tom, who is originally from the Czech Republic but who has played a number of seasons in the NIHL North, is going to help build a new-look Lions team for the coming season.

The 25-year-old Prague native tallied 42 points in 52 games in NIHL North Division 1 between 2012 and 2015, playing for the Trafford Metros and the Manchester Minotaurs.

Tom is the first of a number of new players who will be joining the Lions over the next few weeks – stay tuned for further announcements.

Click here to view Tom’s career statistics courtesy of eliteprospects.com.