Pete Russell Appointed Director of Hockey and Head Coach at MK Lightning

Pete Russell, widely regarded as one of British ice hockey's most respected figures, has been appointed Director of Hockey and Head Coach for the Planet Ice NIHL National Division side, MK Lightning. This marks a significant return to Milton Keynes for Russell, following a successful period coaching in Europe and leading the Great Britain men’s national team on the international stage.

Russell's previous tenure with MK Lightning, from 2015 to 2018, was highly successful, establishing the club as a formidable force in British ice hockey. During this time, he guided the team to cup and playoff victories in 2016/17 and oversaw their promotion into the Elite Ice Hockey League. After his time in the UK, Russell further honed his coaching skills in Germany with EHC Freiburg, Ravensburg Towerstars, and Augsburger Panther. Concurrently, he spearheaded one of the most successful eras in Great Britain's hockey history, achieving historic promotions at the IIHF World Championships and re-establishing the nation among the world's elite.

MK Lightning concluded the recent NIHL National Division season in sixth place. Russell is set to assume his full-time head coaching duties ahead of the upcoming season and is already actively constructing a roster with the aim of competing for championship silverware.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Russell stated, “I am thrilled to return to a club that holds such a special place in my heart. My journey away has provided invaluable experiences and insights that I am eager to bring back to this team and community. This commitment also allows me to live at home with my family, embarking on a new hockey journey together. I look forward to working with our players and staff to foster growth and build upon our club's strong foundation, striving for success and creating more memorable moments for our fantastic MKL fans.”

Tom Roberts, MK Lightning director, also welcomed Russell back, saying, “We are absolutely delighted to have Pete return to Milton Keynes. He possesses an intimate knowledge of this club and our fanbase, and understands precisely what it takes to build a successful team here. Pete’s passion for the game and dedication to player development make him the ideal leader to guide our team into the 2026/27 season and beyond.”