Lee Valley Lions

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

We’re delighted to welcome back 20-year-old Kobe Grinell-Parke for his third season as a Lion – which will hopefully be his first full season with the club.

The forward first signed with the Lions ahead of the 2024-25 season on a two-way deal with the Romford Buccaneers of NIHL South 1, playing for us eight times as his Romford commitments allowed, scoring four points.

He returned last season but sadly suffered an injury in our opening game, which kept him out for four months and hampered his season; he ended up making 10 appearances in a Lee Valley jersey in 2025-26, scoring five goals.

Now he’s signed with the Lions full-time ahead of the 2026-27 season and we hope to see Kobe fit and firing for the entire campaign.

Lions head coach Simon Jones: “Kobe is another player that I was keen to have on board again this season. After a great pre-season last year Kobe was sidelined for a while which disrupted his season. I know he will be back even stronger this year ready to make a difference and be a key contributor.”

Welcome back Nathan Awoyemi!

The 23-year-old forward came through Lee Valley’s junior ranks before moving to Slough in 2016, where he spent four seasons; after which he played two years of junior hockey in the USA with the Sheridan Hawks.

He returned to Lee Valley in 2023, signing with the senior Lions team as the new Lee Valley Ice Centre opened, and immediately became one of our best players.

In 35 games for the Lions across two and a half campaigns, he racked up 20 goals and 31 assists for 51 points – a rate of almost 1.5 points per game – before spending the second half of last season with NIHL South 1 side Romford Buccaneers as part of a two-way deal.

Now he’s back with the Lions full-time and we couldn’t be happier to have him back.

Lions head coach Simon Jones: “Nathan is an outstanding player and I am thrilled to have him back with us full time this season. Nathan is a difference maker and sets the tone every time he steps onto the ice. Above all, Nathan is extremely coachable and hungry to improve as a player as well as drive team success.”

Ashlee Cave – voted Fans’ Player of the Season for the 2025-26 campaign – returns to the Lions for his second consecutive season, and sixth season overall across three spells at the club.

The veteran forward played for the Lions in the 2008-09 season, and then for three campaigns between 2013 and 2016.

He returned to Lions colours in 2025 after nine years away, bringing experience and locker-room leadership to the team – and has now appeared in more than 100 games in a Lee Valley jersey in all competitions.

Lions head coach Simon Jones said: “Ash rejoined the team last season and had an instant impact on and off the ice. He has been a unifying figure off the ice and led by example on it. Ash is very coachable and shows his experience in every situation and embraces every role he is given. I’m looking forward to seeing Ash throwing himself into the action again this year, and I’m sure the fans are as well!”

We’re delighted to announce the re-signing of defenceman Lee Hounslow for his second consecutive season in a Lions uniform, and third overall.

Lee originally played for the Lions in the 2016-17 season as a forward, before taking some time out of league hockey.

He returned to Lee Valley last season as a defenceman, and impressed with his veteran leadership and strong performances – he’ll look to bring the same this season as well.

Lions head coach Simon Jones said: “Lee joining last year was a huge positive for us and I am very pleased that he has come back for this season. Lee brings bags of experience and ability as well as leadership on and off the ice. He was one of our top performers last season and I know he has been working hard this off-season in order to maximise his impact. I’m looking forward to working with Lee again this year and benefiting from his input as well as his performances.”