The Lee Valley Lions have put the next piece of the 2018/19 roster puzzle in place with the re-signing of forward Ben Gillingham.

The 27-year-old was a Bracknell and Guildford junior before moving to the Midlands to study at the University of Nottingham.

Whilst there he played four seasons for the Nottingham Mavericks, Mavericks ‘B’ and Mavericks ‘D’ sides in BUIHA (British Universities Ice Hockey Association) competition, scoring 15 goals and 15 assists for 30 points in a total of 49 games. He also represented the University of Nottingham in their Varsity games against Nottingham Trent University in 2011 and 2012.

Ben then joined the Lions in 2015, playing 13 games in the 2015-16 campaign and scoring one goal and one assist. He followed that up with two goals and one assist in 15 games in the 2016-17 season, although he was hampered by a wrist injury.

Last season was Ben’s breakout year in a Lions jersey, as he scored three goals and assisted on a further nine to give him 12 points in 20 games. He was also voted the club’s Most Improved Player at the end of the season.

He now returns for his fourth campaign in the green and white jersey, and will be looking to build on his points output from last season.

Click here to see Ben’s career statistics courtesy of eliteprospects.com.