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The 2026/27 season is underway, and there’s plenty to talk about after the MK Lightning’s opening pre-season weekend against the Rostock Piranhas.

Harrison Mills and Mike Walls look back at both games against the German visitors, from Saturday’s physical 4–3 battle to Sunday’s emphatic 7–0 Lightning victory. They discuss the players who caught the eye, the early chemistry developing across the lines and what we learned from two very different performances.

Then, Lightning’s new number six Danny Weight joins the podcast after a whirlwind first 48 hours in Milton Keynes. Danny talks about flying in from New York and scoring on his debut just hours later, growing up around professional hockey, playing alongside the likes of Jack Hughes, Matt Boldy and Trevor Zegras, his first impressions of British hockey and his ambitions for the season.

Finally, attention turns to an old rivalry as Lightning prepare for a pre-season double-header against the Peterborough Phantoms. Harrison and Mike break down the changes to the Phantoms roster, their new arrivals and departures, and what to expect from another chapter of the Ashes Derby.

There might not be league points on the line yet, but there’s never a friendly between Milton Keynes and Peterborough.

In this episode:
• Rostock Piranhas weekend review
• Early standouts from the new-look Lightning roster
• Danny Weight interview
• His journey from US hockey to Milton Keynes
• Playing alongside future NHL stars
• First impressions of MK and the Lightning fans
• Peterborough Phantoms roster breakdown
• Ashes Derby weekend preview

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Hockey is back - and so is Lightning Talks for the 2026/27 season.

Mike and Harrison take an in-depth look through the Milton Keynes Lightning roster ahead of the opening pre-season weekend, discussing the returning players, new arrivals and what the new-look squad could bring this season.

Assistant coach Lewis Christie joins the podcast to discuss his eventful 2025/26 season, his move back into the assistant coach role, working alongside Pete Russell and the competition for places across a deep Lightning roster. Christie also gives his thoughts on the opening weekend and what he expects from the new group.

Finally, we preview Lightning’s first games of the season as German Oberliga Nord side Rostock Piranhas visit Planet Ice Milton Keynes for a two-game pre-season series, including some of the Piranhas players to watch and the challenge they’ll pose for Pete Russell’s side.

Lightning Talks is brought to you by Lightning TV.

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Sean Norris and Liam Stewart join the Lightning Talks podcast for a candid conversation ahead of the new season. The fan favourites discuss their off-season preparations, Stewy's return to Milton Keynes for one last dance, and the excitement of being reunited on the same roster.

The pair reflect on last season, share their thoughts on Pete Russell's fast-paced new-look squad, and explain the roles they hope to play both on and off the ice. They also open up about their careers, the coaches and mentors who shaped them, the importance of hard work, and the advice they'd give to the next generation of players.

Plus, hear their thoughts on the new signings, the strength of this year's team, life away from the rink, and why the MK Lightning fans remain some of the best in British ice hockey.

Don't forget to subscribe to Lightning Talks and the Lightning TV YouTube channel so you never miss an episode.

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Two of the newest additions to the Milton Keynes Lightning join Harrison and Mike on Lightning Talks ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Jake Hayward discusses returning to British hockey after four years in North America, his experiences with Great Britain and what he hopes to bring to the Lightning defence. David Thomson looks back on his journey through Canada and Europe, his time with the Telford Tigers and why the opportunity to join Milton Keynes was the right move.

The pair also discuss the growing standard of the NIHL, playing in front of the Lightning faithful, their competitive styles on the ice and preparations for the new season. David also talks about his work towards a career in psychotherapy, while Jake discusses completing his personal training qualifications alongside hockey.
Plus, find out why opposition players might want to prepare themselves for plenty of chirping when Jake and David hit the ice together.

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Archie Salisbury and Ed Knaggs join Chris and Harrison for the latest episode of Lightning Talks as preparations continue for the 2026/27 season.

The pair discuss their paths to Milton Keynes, the lessons they've learned throughout their careers, and how they're preparing for what promises to be an exciting campaign under Pete Russell. They also reflect on team culture, the strength of this year's roster, representing Great Britain, and the unique atmosphere created by the MK Lightning supporters.
It's an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation with two key members of the Lightning squad as anticipation builds for the new season.

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Chris "Dicko" Dickens and Harrison Mills catch up with new MK Lightning imports Jarred White (forward) and Jared Whale (goaltender), former teammates at Alaska Anchorage. 

The pair reflect on their NCAA careers — White recalling a freshman year behind future Stanley Cup winner Brandon Bussey, and both praising college hockey's relentless pace as ideal pro prep. White describes his shift from winger to a gritty, two-way centre; Whale opens up on recovering from injury and learning from British netminder Jordan Hedley. 

They swap banter on music, style, and NHL loyalties (Oilers vs. Flames), and both say they can't wait for the famously loud Lightning crowd. They touch on the club's rebuilt roster and expectations for the season.

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Lightning Talks: The Northern Irish Takeover

This week, Pimmy and Harrison are joined by the Northern Irish contingent – Mac Stewart, Kell Beattie, Carter Hamill and Cam Hamill.

The four best friends chat about growing up together in Belfast, finally reuniting at Milton Keynes Lightning, returning to MK, playing under Pete Russell, their ambitions for the new season, and plenty of stories from life away from the rink.

It doesn't take long before the conversation goes completely off the rails, with debates over who's best at padel, dressing room music, Christmas videos, and who'll be the first to drop the gloves this season.

Fair warning: they're not wrong.

Get your tickets 🎟️ when they go on sale 1 August 2026 at 10:00am for the opening home games:
https://www.mk-lightning.co.uk/tickets/match-tickets/

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This week, Dicko and Harrison Mills sit down with two of Lightning's freshest signings — Bradey Johnson and Archie Hazeldine — ahead of their first season pulling on the MK jersey.

From off-season training grounds to the paths that brought them here, Bradey and Archie open up on their hockey journeys so far — and what's got them fired up to hit the ice in Milton Keynes.

New rink. New chapter. Same Lightning ambition.

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Lightning Talks: Episode 2
Building the Roster

Aaron Viles sits down with Head Coach and Director of Hockey Pete Russell and Club Director Tom Roberts to lift the lid on the MK Lightning off-season.

From recruitment strategy to line-by-line roster breakdown, they talk through how the 2026/27 squad has been built, the returning faces, the new signings, and the thinking behind every position on the ice.

Coach. Director. Full transparency on the season ahead.

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The debut episode of Lightning Talks, MK Lightning's new podcast, sees host Chris "Dicko" Dickens sit down with newly appointed Head Coach and Director of Hockey, Pete Russell.

Russell previously coached the Lightning from 2015-2018, leading the club to cup and playoff success, before going on to coach in Germany and lead the Great Britain men's national team. He's now back at MK ahead of the 2026/27 season, and in this first chat with Dicko he talks about what brought him home and his early plans for the club.

Milton Keynes Lightning play their home matches on Saturday nights (mostly) between September and April.  For tickets and info - www.mk-lightning.co.uk