The closure of the Lee Valley Ice Centre isn’t stopping the Lions! We would welcome new players to the team, so if you’re interested in joining us for the 2021/22 season, please give Eddie Joseph a call on 07958 743680.
Lee Valley Ice Centre closes its doors
Lee Valley Ice Centre © Time Out
After the best part of 40 years, Lee Valley Ice Centre closes its doors for the final time this weekend. The rink will be demolished and rebuilt into a much larger venue, featuring two ice pads, cafe, gym, exercise studios and community spaces. It is anticipated that the new centre will be completed by October 2022. You can find out more about the plans here and you can keep updated with news on their Twitter page.
The Lions are currently looking at options for continuing with a team while that happens and any updates on this will be posted here.
In the meantime, we say a very fond farewell to the Den and the countless amazing memories it has created for so many people.
Lions Back on the Ice for Tryout Sessions
With the UK government relaxing restrictions on indoor sports, the Lee Valley Lions are now able to resume with our usual off-season open tryout sessions.
The tryout sessions will take place every Tuesday evening from 8.15pm, with a £10 charge towards ice time.
These sessions will run up to and including Tuesday 22nd June, with Lee Valley Ice Centre closing its doors for refurbishment on Sunday 27th June.
After this point, the Lions are looking to relocate the sessions to another location, which is yet to be determined.
If you would like to participate in one of the sessions, you must have EIHA-approved insurance in place, which can be obtained here for British trained players.
Unfortunately we will not be able to invite non-British trained players to these sessions, due to the length of time required to get this insurance sorted.
Any prospective player wishing to attend the sessions must also contact our General Manager, Eddie Joseph, on 07958 743680 at least four days beforehand.
This is so that you can be made aware of the ice rink’s COVID-19 protocols, and to ensure insurance is in place.
“We will be a slightly younger, more energetic team”
After a complete dearth of hockey over the past year, check out this short article on Rising East about the Lions’ hopes and plans for the 2021/22 season.
Interview with ex-Lion Marko Pieniniemi
Fans of the original Lions from the 80s/90s will be very familiar with the Finns we had on the team. One of the last was Marko Pieniniemi and you can read all about his hockey career in this article published by Mark Easton.
