Lee Valley Lions

Two more defencemen have re-signed for the 2026-27 season, as both Josh Freeman and Nick Gonzalez will be part of the Lions once again.

Our #3 Josh Freeman heads into his fourth season with the club, having signed in the summer of 2023 when the new Lee Valley Ice Centre opened.

The former Telford and Nottingham junior is a popular member of the roster, and showed his versatility last season when he filled in as a forward on many occasions when required.

Lions head coach Simon Jones on Josh’s return: “Josh has emerged as a leader on and off the ice in the last 18 months and I am delighted to have him back this season. Alongside an excellent pedigree from the Telford junior system Josh, is extremely coachable and has a team-first mentality, demonstrated by the various roles he filled last season. I’m looking forward to him being a key contributor in every sense this season.”

Meanwhile former Lee Valley junior, #85 Nick Gonzalez, heads into his third senior campaign with the Lions having signed in the summer of 2024.

Alongside forward Antonio Espinosa, Nick forms the Lions’ Colombian contingent, and has pulled on the yellow jersey of the Colombia national team on several occasions already in his young career.

Coach Simon Jones on Nick coming back for another season: “I’m very pleased to have Nick back with the team this season. Nick’s game has come on leaps and bounds over the last two seasons and this season will be a key year for his development into a consistent performer. Nick made many difference-making plays last year and I look forward to many more of them this year.”

We’re delighted to welcome back blueliner Matt Hamilton for his sixth consecutive season in a Lions jersey, and his seventh at the club overall.

Matt first played for the Lions in the 2017-18 season, before playing for Romford Raiders 2 between 2018 and 2020. He then returned to the Lions in 2021, and he’s been in a Lee Valley jersey ever since.

He’s racked up over 125 games for the Lions in all competitions, and was club captain in the last two campaigns.

Lions head coach Simon Jones commented: “Matt has been a fixture in Lee Valley squads and brings invaluable experience having played at a higher level. He brings a calm assuredness to all situations and this translates to the team on and off the ice. After picking up one or two minor knocks last season I know Matt will be looking forward to an uninterrupted season to put his and the team’s best foot forward!”

We’re delighted to welcome back forward Cole McCluskey, who joins us on a two-way deal with Romford Buccaneers of NIHL South 1 for the second consecutive season.

Cole played 13 combined League and Eddie Joseph Memorial Cup games for the Lions last season when his Buccaneers commitments allowed, scoring eight goals and adding a further two assists for 10 points in a Lee Valley jersey. He also played 28 games for Romford in NIHL South 1, scoring six points.

Now he’s back for a second campaign at both clubs and will look to add to the above tallies.

Lions head coach Simon Jones had this to say: “I’m thrilled to have Cole on board again this season. He has huge experience, which given his age shows the quality that he has. Cole is great in the dressing room and sets a great example both on and off the ice. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with Cole and I’m sure he will continue to be a standout player for us as well as for Romford in NIHL 1 South”.

We’re happy to welcome back Simon Jones for his 3rd season as our Head Coach.

Simon has been a Lions stalwart since 2015, first playing over 160 games for the club as a defenceman over eight seasons – the last five of those seasons as club captain – before taking over as Head Coach after retiring from on-ice action in 2024.

Simon had this to say about staying on at the club for another season: “I’m very pleased to be back as Head Coach of the Lions. It is no secret that the club means a lot to me, but in addition the potential for success is tremendous.

Last season was not as successful as expected but we did take steps forward on and off the ice and the platform remains in place for success.

I know that leaders within the team are excited to return and as always we have been working hard to add quality to the roster.

I’m looking forward to the start of pre-season and working with players, management and supporters to move forward again this season.

We are a community club and I look forward to representing Lee Valley this season.”

We’re delighted to welcome defenceman Daniel Tamasauskas back for his ninth season with club.

Daniel came through the Lee Valley junior system, graduating to the senior side in 2017.

Since then, he’s been a mainstay at the club with only a few short spells away in the last nine years.

The 6’9 blueliner is always popular with Lions supporters, and we’re looking forward to seeing that continue in the 2026-27 season.

Daniel had this to say about returning for another campaign: “Happy to be back for another season! Looking forward to getting back on the ice, seeing everyone again and hopefully making it a successful year for the club.”