Milton Keynes Lightning forward Harry Ferguson is keen to help bring silverware to the club after his return to the club was announced last week.
The Scottish forward has committed for a third season with the club after making 45 appearances last season, scoring 12 goals and 12 assists.
Now he wants to get his hands on something shiny as Lewis Clifford continues to get his squad ready for a new season, whenever that may be.
“I’m over the moon to know that I’m coming back to Milton Keynes and dying to get back into the MKL colours for what I personally feel will be a fantastic season,” Ferguson told the club website.
“I’m really happy to be contributing towards competing to win some silverware this season and I would like to say a huge thank you to all the fans last year.”
His coach, Clifford, added: “It took us a while to get Harry playing how we wanted and to his potential, but when we did he was a huge contributor night after night and helped himself to a healthy points total.
Signing news🖋️📰
"He eats up ice time 5 on 5 and even more so on the penalty kill and does all the little bits in the D zone that you need as a team" said Cliff🏒
Please welcome back defensive rock Lewy Christie!🙌 ⚡
Full story: https://t.co/KHOkLmSfLQ pic.twitter.com/7VdHHvrceF
— MK Lightning Ice Hockey (@MKLightningIHC) July 31, 2020
“Last season Harry was deservedly our most improved player, which is testament to the hard work he put in and the positive attitude he bought to the room, bench and ice every night.”
Ferguson’s arrival came after fellow Scot, Lewis Christie, also confirmed his return for the new season for what will be his 11th campaign for Lightning.
Christie told the Lightning website: “After 11 years with the club it was an easy decision for me to make to sign with MKL. I’m hoping that this season can start as soon as possible in these uncertain times and we can get a chance to win some silverware.”
Basingstoke Bison also added two more faces to their roster as player-coach Ashley Tait snapped up defenceman Oliver Stone and forward Sam Talbot.
Leeds Chiefs also made an addition as Lewis Houston’s decent first season with the club was rewarded with a second season, as coach Sam Zajac picked up the young Scot.
Lewis Houston is returning to Leeds Chiefs after an impressive first campaign last season (PHOTO: Mark Ferriss)
And the Leeds boss revealed the 19-year-old had attracted the attention of some rivals teams, but considers his return ‘a coup’ for the club.
Zajac told the Yorkshire Post: “Coaches around this league know a good player when they see one and a lot of them knew he was one such player.
“He (Lewis) had offers to go elsewhere, but we got him tied down for next season quite early. And he is really transparent, he let me know that a few other teams had been in for him.
“So, in some respects, it was a bit of a coup to get him back with us given the interest there was in him.”
Raiders announced the return of defenceman Ross Connolly for their side next season, while Sheffield Steeldogs saw one return in forward Charlie Thompson, but waved one goodbye as D-man Thomas Barry moved on.
There were two departures as Bison saw forward Richard Bordowski leave for Czech Republic side HC Novy Jicin while Ales Paladek also went to the Czech Republic to sign for BK Havlicku Brod from Peterborough Phantoms.
🔶🔷Raiders 2 Head Coach Saunders keen to get his teeth into development process🔶🔷 https://t.co/6Lb3CD5EFh
— Romford Ice Hockey Academy (@RomfordIHA) August 4, 2020
OTHER MOVES
NIHL 1 South
Bracknell Hornets coach Mark Saunders has left them to join Raiders 2, while Ben Pitchley has taken charge of the Raiders IHC junior system
Haydon Hagger (F) – joined MK Thunder from MK Hurricanes
Carl Graham (D) – joined for Oxford City Stars from Bracknell Hornets
Connor Hutchinson (F) – signed for Solent Devils from Bracknell Hornets
Luke Smital (F) – returned to Slough Jets after a spell with VSK Technika Brno in the Czech Republic
Sam Richardson (F) – signed for MK Thunder from Under 18 side MK Storm
Theo Bundock (F) – signed for Oxford City Stars from Bancroft Rockhounds in GMHL Canada
Oscar Evans (F) signs a two way deal with Solent Devils and Basingstoke Bison in the National League
NIHL 2 North
Filip Supa (F) – re-signed with Telford Tigers 2
SNL
Sean Cochrane (F) and Lewis Kellock (F) – both re-signed with Kirkcaldy Kestrels
Ryan Todd (F) and Gregor Smith (D) – both re-signed with Kirkcaldy Kestrels too.
