Welcome to Lightning Talks, the podcast that takes you behind the scenes with lifestack MK Lightning.
We're an Ice Hockey club based in Milton Keynes, and this is where you'll hear it all - game reviews breaking down the wins, the losses, and everything in between, plus the players themselves, introduced in their own words. We're bringing you closer to the club than ever before.
This is Lightning Talks. Let's get into it.
lifestack: More Than a Name on the Shirt | Lightning Talks
Send us Fan Mail lifestack co-founders Steven Bianchi and Claire Alvis join Tom Roberts to talk about the people and ideas behind Milton Keynes Lightning’s title partnership. Steven looks back on growing up with hockey in Guelph, his connection to Milton Keynes and a wedding day that included photos on a Zamboni. Claire shares her first experience of watching Lightning and explains why lifestack helps business owners build companies that give them their time back. They discuss the pressures o...
6 Oct 2026
Carter Hamill: You Have Got to Earn It | Lightning Talks
Send us Fan Mail Carter Hamill joins Chris and Harrison after another perfect four-point weekend keeps Milton Keynes Lightning unbeaten at the top of the NIHL National League. We look back at the emphatic 8–2 victory at Leeds Knights and the hard-fought 5–4 win over Solway Ice Hockey Club before sitting down with Lightning’s #24. Carter discusses his flying start, summer training with Belfast, the lessons from his time at Solway and returning to Milton Keynes under Pete Russell. He also ref...
29 Sept 2026
James Griffin: 12 Seasons, One Lightning Family
Send us Fan Mail James Griffin joins Chris and Harrison following another four-point weekend that keeps Milton Keynes Lightning unbeaten and top of the NIHL National League. We look back at the 4–2 win against Romford Raiders and the 5–3 victory away at Bristol Pitbulls before sitting down with one of Lightning’s longest-serving players. Griff discusses the squad’s chemistry under Pete Russell, the importance of everyone buying into the team’s system, and why there are no easy nights in an in...
22 Sept 2026
Jordan Headley: Lightning for Life
Send us Fan Mail Jordan Headley joins Chris and Harrison following Milton Keynes Lightning’s perfect four-point opening league weekend. We look back at the 2–1 overtime win against Leeds Knights and the emphatic 6–1 victory away at Telford Tigers before sitting down with Lightning’s #1. Jordan discusses the changes under Pete Russell, his relationship and competition with Jared Whale, balancing hockey with work and family life, and why the development of British netminders remains such an imp...
Send us Fan Mail Pre-season is complete and now the real thing begins. Harrison Mills and Mike Walls return to look back on a perfect weekend against the Peterborough Phantoms, as MK Lightning completed pre-season with two victories over their closest rivals — an overtime thriller in Milton Keynes followed by a nine-goal performance at Bretton. We break down both games, including Peterborough’s clinical finishing, Lightning’s response when falling behind, an impressive penalty kill, Kel...
Send us Fan Mail 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 n...
1 Sept 2026
Lightning Talks | The Milton Keynes Lightning Preview
Send us Fan Mail 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 ...
25 Aug 2026
Episode 8: The Reunion - Stewy and Seany
Send us Fan Mail 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 career...
18 Aug 2026
Jake Hayward & David Thomson | Ready for the New Season | Lightning Talks
Send us Fan Mail 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 a...
11 Aug 2026
Archie Salisbury & Ed Knaggs Preview the 2026/27 Season
Send us Fan Mail 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...
4 Aug 2026
Lightning Talks Episode 5: Meet the New Imports – Jarred White & Jared Whale
Send us Fan Mail 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 an...
28 Jul 2026
The Northern Irish Takeover
Send us Fan Mail 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 complete...
21 Jul 2026
Episode 3: Chris Dickens and Harrison Mills Talk to Archie Hazeldine and Bradey Johnson
Send us Fan Mail 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. Buy Tickets Here ➡️ bit.ly/WatchMKL
18 Jul 2026
Episode 2: Aaron Viles talks to Head Coach Pete Russell and Director Tom Roberts
Send us Fan Mail 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. Buy Tickets Here ➡...
18 Jul 2026
Episode 1: Chris Dickens talks to Pete Russell, Head Coach and Director of Hockey MK Lightning
Send us Fan Mail 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 ho...
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