Thunder are delighted to announce the signing of netminder Joe Nolan – who will wear number 36 for the upcoming season.

Joe started his junior career in Milton Keynes, with MK Storm, before moving to Peterborough in 2021 where he completed his junior career and gained senior experience with Peterborough Phantoms 2. He then moved onto Nottingham last season gaining experience with both the Lions’ NIHL 2 and NIHL 1 teams.

Despite still being 18, Joe has racked up significant experience at NIHL 2 level, as well as 2 appearances between the pipes for Peterborough Phantoms in the NIHL. Joe’s signing provides Thunder with solid options in the netminding department as he supports Aaron Burton, and prospect Alfie Duguid in his ongoing development.

Joe is delighted to be back in his home city, and relishing the chance to continue his development in a rink he know’s well:

Its a bit of a dream to be back playing in Milton Keynes, I am no stranger to the rink and people around it and it was a no brainer for me to sign for Thunder when I was approached towards the end of last season. There are a lot of familiar faces on the team that I know from throughout my junior career and it really does feel like coming home. We have a group here with huge potential to do well in NIHL 2 and its thrilling to be offered the chance to be a part of that.

Thunder Head Coach Will Fry commented on Joe’s arrival:

Getting Joe’s signature is a great news for us, with Aaron and Alfie already locked in we’ve now got a solid netminding presence that will give us security and reliability to set the foundation for a big year ahead. Its fantastic that we are able to bring a local young man with heaps of talent and a great head on his shoulders into the club, where he already has rapport with a lot of our younger players and understands and appreciates what we are trying to achieve. Joe will play a key role for us moving forwards and despite already having good experience at senior level we are excited to see how he continues to develop and progress whilst working with Ross and the other goalies.

Joe’s Own & Loan home and away jerseys are available to reserve now at a cost of £80 each, please email mkthundericehockey@gmail.com