News Report

Firstly, the club would like to thank Anthony Leone for stepping in as the caretaker coach to help us through what was a difficult season. He will continue at the helm for the play-offs, but we are now in the position to be able to announce that  the long search for a new Head Coach is over.

 

We are delighted that Lewis Clifford has agreed to become our new Head Coach for the 2023/24 season.

 

Milton Keynes born Clifford enjoyed a long history with MK Hockey, with a playing career of over 230 games between 2002 and 2011. 

 

His coaching career began in 2009/10 as player-coach of MK Thunder, before becoming MK Lightning Assistant Coach alongside Nick Poole in 2011/12 and then Pete Russell.  He became MK Thunder Head Coach in 2017, before joining MK Lightning as Head Coach in 2019 on the club’s move to the NIHL National division. He was also Head Coach of the MK Storm junior club for a number of years before stepping down from that role in early 2022.

 

When asked about his new role Clifford commented “After being out of the game for a season, I am excited to get back behind a bench and join a club with a great history and stable foundations both on and off the ice. Whilst I haven’t been coaching for the past year, I have kept an eye on everything that happens in all of the NIHL leagues and I have been to watch a couple of Chieftains games, I think there’s a great foundation here already that we can work with, whilst seeking improvements across the board”. 

 

He continued “I will be looking to put together a team that the fans and players are proud to be a part of, using the foundations of what’s already in place alongside some additions and some of the exciting youth players in the Chelmsford junior development system. I know the team has a couple of games to play and would like to wish the guys luck for their forthcoming play-off campaign. I have a busy summer ahead and hope everyone has a great off season relaxing away from the rink and I am excited to see you all at the Riverside when we return in September”.