Category: News

The Lee Valley Lions are proud to announce that Core Arts will be the club’s official charity for the 2026/27 season. This season we looked at various local charities to set up a partnership with, and the team voted for Core Arts.

Core Arts is a leading mental health creative education centre. Since 1992, Core Arts has been providing best practice and best value in Mental Health care in London.

Their mission is to support and promote recovery, social inclusion and mental wellbeing through the arts and enhance service user experience.

More information at https://www.corearts.co.uk

The team will carry their logo on the shirts as well as do several fundraising activities at game days as we look to work with and support the charity.

We couldn’t talk about club stalwarts without welcoming back the face of Lee Valley, our #32 James Joseph.

James has played for the Lions senior side ever since they were reformed back in 2005 (before several of his team-mates were born…) playing close to 400 games for the club in all competitions during that time.

He has played both in defence and as a forward in recent years, as well as acting as the club’s player-head coach from 2018 until 2024.

Lions head coach Simon Jones on James staying on for another year: “James is a stalwart of the team and has seen every scenario you can think of in British ice hockey. In the last two seasons James has predominantly played as a forward, but as a team-player has reverted back to playing defence at times. James works tirelessly for the club and I know he is committed to success this season.”

Continuing the theme of returning club stalwarts, we’re delighted to welcome back fan favourite forward Jordan Sullivan.

Sully has been a member of the Lions organisation for over 10 years across juniors and seniors, and has a passion for the club that is hard to match.

Our #67 has an eye for goal and doesn’t shy away from the physical side of the game either, and it’s that blend of skills that makes him such a fan favourite.

Lions head coach Simon Jones said: “Sully is a favourite of everyone. His team mates love him as well as the fans. As someone who came up through the junior system Sully loves the club and leaves it all on the ice every shift. I know I am looking forward to seeing Sully’s unique blend of skill and physicality this season.”

We’re delighted to confirm the return of two players who have become part of the furniture at Lee Valley, in defenceman Sam Brazier and forward Joe Miller.

Sam Brazier joined us in 2021 – when British ice hockey returned after the 2020-21 season was lost to COVID, and we were playing out of Cambridge Ice Arena during the construction of the new Lee Valley Ice Centre.

Always a steady presence on the blueline, our #90 now enters his sixth season as a Lion, having iced in over 100 games for the club.

Lions head coach Simon Jones on Sam’s return: “Sam is a been long-serving member of the team and offers a lot on and off the ice. He is always willing to embrace any role that he is given and does his best for the team. I know he has been working hard to be ready for this season.”

Joe Miller has been with the Lions for even longer, having graduated from our juniors – where he captained both the under 15s and under 18s – during the 2017-18 season.

He’s been with our senior side ever since, playing over 150 games in a Lions jersey in all competitions, and will look to continue making a big impact this season.

Lions head coach Simon Jones on Joe’s re-signing: “Joe has been a staple of the team for a number of years. Joe is keen to be a difference maker and I am looking forward to him working to be just that this season.”

A big welcome back to forward Seb Downing!

Seb joined the Lions ahead of the 2024-25 season, adding a wealth of knowledge and talent from NIHL 2, as well as NIHL 1 and Canada.

He scored five goals and six assists in 11 games for the Lions during that campaign, at a point per game pace, before taking some time away from the game last season.

Now he’s back and looking to help the Lions achieve their goals this season.

“Seb took some time away from hockey last season but stayed in touch, so I was very pleased when he confirmed he would be back this year. Seb brings ability, experience and accountability to the changing room and on the ice. Last time Seb was with us he set the tempo every shift and was a great boost for everyone in the changing room.”

Photo: Phil Hutchinson