Thunder will move to a new division ahead of next season, competing in NIHL 2 South, also known as the Wilkinson conference. For the 2025/26 season the league will be made up of 12 teams, including Thunder. Whilst there are multiple competitions on hand for NIHL 2 teams, Thunder can confirm we will be participating in the League & League Cup only, as well as the play-offs subject to final league position.

So, presented with this new and exciting challenge, we thought we’d put together a guide of the teams taking part to prepare you for our first game in just a couple of months time…

Bristol Pitbulls 2

Last season record: 3-14-1 (9th Place Finish)

Home Rink: Planet Ice, Bristol

Bristol Pitbulls 2 rejoined the NIHL umbrella for the 2022/23 season winning the league in their first season back, and are the second team to Bristol Pitbulls of the NIHL National. The Pitbulls are yet to announce the majority of their roster for next season, where they will be looking to improve their league position from 2024/25 and reach the post season once again.

Cardiff Canucks

Last season record: 7-10-1 (6th Place Finish)

Home Rink: Vindico Arena, Cardiff

Founded ahead of the 2024/25 season, the Canucks are a development focused team recruiting young and ambitious players with goals to pursue a career further up the hockey pyramid. Thunder were fortunate to work closely with the Canucks last season to offer NIHL 1 opportunities to a number of their roster. Having already announced several signings, they have added plenty of experience for the upcoming season – with players like Steve Osman, Brad Crapier and Joe Morris ready to lace them up down on The Bay.

Chelmsford Warriors

Last season record: 4-12-2 (8th Place Finish)

Home Rink: Riverside Leisure Centre, Chelmsford

Playing out of Chelmsford under last year’s opponents the Chelmsford Chieftains, the Warriors include a mix of experience and youth, providing a stepping stone for players moving through the Chelmsford junior pathway. Founded in 2005, the Warriors won NIHL 2 South in 2015/16. Keep an eye out for Kaleb Sheahan who has made the move to the Riverside for the upcoming season as part of a 2-way with the NIHL 1 Chieftains.

Guildford Phoenix

Last season record: 15-1-2 (1st Place Finish)

Home Rink: Guildford Spectrum, Guildford

Last seasons league champions, the Phoenix also put on a strong showing in the cup and playoffs, reaching the final of both only to lose to Peterborough in a close 2-legged Wilkinson Cup final and on penalty shots in the Playoff final in Sheffield. Guildford have been one of the strongest teams in NIHL 2 for several seasons, winning 4 of the last 5 league titles, as well as strong showings in the post season. Former Thunder players Sean Reynolds and Liam Kennington have both signed with Phoenix and we look forward to welcoming them back to Milton Keynes when the teams meet.

Haringey Huskies

Last season record: 14-4-0 (3rd Place Finish)

Home Rink: Alexandra Palace, London

Challenging all the way to the end in the league last season, Haringey have been one of the strongest NIHL 2 teams for several years, having achieved a top 3 finish every campaign since 2020, with three consecutive play off final defeats from 2022-2024. Playing out of Alexandra Palace in London and backed by a good crowd, Haringey are one of the closest away trips to MK this season, setting the scene for a great rivalry to take place. Notable signings for next season include Josh Ealey-Newman and Ruskin Springer-Hughes who have both signed from NIHL 1 clubs.

Invicta Mustangs

Last season record: 10-8-0 (4th Place Finish)

Home Rink: Planet Ice, Gillingham

Another away venue that will be familiar to Thunder fans, the Mustangs are the junior affiliate of Invicta Dynamo’s of NIHL 1. One of the oldest clubs in the league, founded in 1994, the Mustangs will be another stern test after a top 4 finish last season. In recent history the club have performed will in the league, winning the playoffs in 2023, they also lost in the final of last season’s Eddie Joseph Memorial Cup. Keep an eye out for James Laming who has made the move to NIHL 2 from Invicta Dynamos in the league above.

Lee Valley Lions

Last season record: 1-17-0 (10th Place Finish)

Home Rink: Lee Valley Ice Centre, London

A club with a rich history, after being founded in 1984, spending 11 seasons in Division 1 of the Heineken league. The Lions play out of the newly renovated Lee Valley Ice Centre located in Leyton, London, which now contains 2 olympic size rinks. After a hiatus from 1995-2005 the Lions reformed thanks to Eddie Joseph and have competed in NIHL 2 since the 2012/13 season.

Oxford Rising Stars

Last season record: 7-10-1 (5th Place Finish)

Home Rink: Oxford Ice Rink, Oxford

The second team in Oxford, playing underneath the Oxford City Stars who Thunder faced previously in NIHL 1, the Rising Stars provide a pathway opportunity for junior players in the city. There will be some familiar faces for Thunder fans when we face them next season, with many of their 2-way players featuring for the City Stars team in the 2024/25 campaign. Last season’s 5th place finish was the highest for the Rising Stars in NIHL 2, who competed well in the playoffs, beating Invicta over 2 legs, before losing to Guildford in the semi finals. Having made some key additions this summer, including Tom Ravenscroft from Chelmsford Chieftains in NIHL 1, the Rising Stars are looking stronger than ever heading into the new campaign.

Peterborough Phantoms 2

Last season record: 15-2-1 (2nd Place Finish)

Home Rink: Planet Ice, Peterborough

Playing below the NIHL Peterborough Phantoms as part of the development pathway in the city, Phantoms 2 came close to winning it all last season. After just being pipped to the league by Guildford, they went on to win the Wilkinson Cup, Eddie Joseph Memorial Cup, NIHL 2 South Playoff Final, and NIHL 2 National Championship after defeating Telford Tigers 2 in Sheffield. After a dominant 2024/25 campaign they will be looking to go one further in 2025/26 with the grand slam. Netminder Ryan Bainborough has signed for the club on a 2-way with the NIHL National side, and the Phantoms have plenty of experience in front of him looking to guide them to more silverware this year.

Slough Spitfires

A completely new team entering NIHL 2 for the first time for the 2025/26 season, Slough Spitfires will play underneath NIHL 1’s Slough Jets as a development team, offering young players in the Slough junior system senior experience. With a strong junior set up in Slough, and the proven success of the Jet’s dominance of NIHL 1 last season expect a fast paced and dynamic challenge when Thunder take on the Spitfires next year.

Solent Jr. Devils 

Last season record: 6-12-0 (7th Place Finish)

Home Rink: Planet Ice, Gosport

The baby brother of NIHL 1 Solent Devils, the Junior Devils are another pathway team providing a stepping stone for junior players into senior hockey. With several players on 2-way agreements with the NIHL 1 side, who featured against Thunder next season there will again be some familiar faces for Thunder fans. New Head Coach Drew Campbell has started assembling his roster for next season, including bringing in Will Stennett from Sutton Sting, and plenty of familiar faces returning, including import forward Janne Virtanen.

The NIHL 2 season will resume in September, as we welcome Invicta Mustangs to the Thunderdome to open our campaign on Saturday 13th September. To view the full Schedule click here.