Lee Valley Lions

The Lee Valley Lions are glad to announce that three men who have overseen three pivotal eras of Lee Valley Ice Hockey are all returning to the Den to play against the current crop of Lions.

Firstly, returning to Lea Bridge Road is Dave Wurthman, the man who coached the first ever Lions’ side when they first face Oxford University in 1984, which they won 11-9. He would lead the side to victories over local rivals London All Stars, Richmond Flyers and Streatham Bruins, as well touring sides like the Lake Shore Kings. Whilst Dave was only with the Lions for a very short period of time, his appearance is one of the most important as we bring together the Lions of the past.

Also returning is former Player Coach and General Manager Steve James. Whilst better known as the man who brought about the change in colours from green, white and blue to black, red and white. James actually joined the side from Streatham Redskins in 1989 when the Lions were still in their original uniforms, and the club didn’t make the change until 1992. In his six seasons at Lea Bridge Road, James played 216 times and amassed 113 points, averaging a point every other game. Steve was one of the longest serving Lions and it is a pleasure to have him return to the Den.

Last but certainly not least is Eddie Joseph. The only man who has been with Lee Valley since the club’s inception against Oxford all those years ago, and the only Lions to have his jersey (no 2) retired. Eddies is still involved with the club as Head of Junior Development and General Manager of the current Lions. During his time as a player, Joseph was an imposing Defenceman who served the club for 9 years before retiring and taking up the coaches position. After reforming the junior section in 1998, he would then bring back the Lions after 10 years in hibernation to compete in ENL 1, even playing four times when the team was short of players. His points tally for the Lions totals 121 points in 208 games but, it is his contribution to the club off the ice that is to be celebrated.

The 30th anniversary match will take place on Saturday the 30th of August at Lee Valley Ice Centre, face off at 5:15.
Tickets are £6 for Adults, £3 for Concessions (OAP’s, Children and Students) and £15 for Families.

The Lions’ Legends side are happy to announce that Jim Graves, and Simon Wren will be taking up residence between the pipes in the 30th anniversary game at Lee Valley Ice Centre on Saturday the 30th of August.

Canadian Graves will return to the den for the first time since 1992 when he iced 34 times for the Lions. In an era of high scoring and little defense, Graves still managed to come 5th in the Netminders stats. After leaving the Lions, Jim went on to play for the Nottingham Panthers in the old Premier Division and then Romford and Belfast side Castlereigh Knights of the Northern Premier League before retiring.

Jim Graves in action

Joining Jim will be Peterborough native Simon Wren. The former Great Britain Junior was a loan signing from the Peterborough Pirates in the 93-94 season, and was a very popular addition to squad in his very brief tenure. Wren would go on to feature for the Pirates in the BNL before taking an eleven year break from competitive hockey, eventually joining the Peterborough Islanders in 2009. He played for the ‘Isles for three more years, even scoring a goal as a player (against Lee Valley!) before finally retiring in 2012.

The Game will take place at Lee Valley Ice Centre on Saturday the 30th of August, face off at 5:15pm. Tickets can be purchased on the door and are £6 for Adults, £3 for Concessions and £15 for Families.

Lee Valley Lions are delighted to announce the return of Jon Beckett and Adam Goldstone for this month’s 30th anniversary match at the Den.

Beckett, a product of the then famed Streatham Junior Setup, made his senior playing fo the Lions in 1987, scoring 2 points in 21 games. After two seasons at Streatham and Haringey respectively Jon returned to East London where he would spend a further four seasons, adding 78 points in 145 games. Beckett would go on to have a long career with local rivals Romford, first helping them in promotion from the old Division 2, and then featuring heavily for them in the newly formed English Premier League, where they won the playoffs in 2001.

Jon Beckett at Gary Dodds’ testimonial

Adam Goldstone has been a stalwart of Streatham Ice Hockey for a long time. The defenceman spent his early senior career with the Redskins, West London rivals Richmond and, the newly formed Slough Jets. In 1990, after just one game with Medway Bears, Goldstone (along with older brother Tony) jumped ship north of the river to join the Lions in their final season in white, green and blue. The next year he was in the more familiar colours of red and black. In his two years at Lea Bridge Road, Goldstone played 72 games and scored 13 points from the blue line. In his final playing days he returned to the famous High Road Rink to play for the ‘Skins before they folded in 1994, he was then a pivotal figure in reforming the side a decade later, even playing a few games and scoring 4 points.

Adam (left) with his brother Tony (right) and father Alec

Face off for the Legends Game is at 5:15 on Saturday the 30th of August at Lee Valley Ice Centre.

There will be further squad updates in the next few days, with the names dropping faster as we get closer to the big day.

Connect with the Lions on Social Media by following the links at the top of our website. You can also join in the conversation about the game on our Forum.

The Lee Valley Lions are pleased to announce our first returnees for our 30th Birthday Celebration on Saturday, August the 30th.

Firstly, coming back to the Den is Tari Suwari. The popular defenceman first debuted for the Lions in 1986 after transferring over from Sobell based London All-Stars. Suwari would go on to play 57 games for the men in green, racking up 12 points from the blue line.

Tari in his days at the Den

Joining Tari will be current Lions head coach Gary Dodds. “Doddsy” is one of few players to have iced for both the Original Lions and the Current side, who reformed in 2005. In a combined spell of four years, Dodds (who will be returning to the ice after two years of rehab from knee surgery) has amassed 58 points in 125 games, and up until his injury, was one of the current side’s leading scorers.

(Taken from the Lions’ history page)

Tickets for the game can all be bought on the door.

Adults: £6
Concessions: £3 (Seniors, Students & Children)
Family: £15 (includes two adults and two children)

Face off is at 5:15pm

Stay tuned for further announcements in the next few weeks as we build up to one of the biggest days in our club’s history

See you on the 30th!