Defenceman Henry Aiken is the first player to leave the Lee Valley Lions this off-season.

The 21-year-old, who joined the Lions ahead of the 2015/16 season from Guildford uner-18s, has been announced as signing for the newly-formed Guildford Phoenix ahead of the 2017/18 season.

Aiken returns to the club where he played his junior hockey, having spent the last two seasons wearing the green and blue, where he became a popular member of the team.

The youngster made 18 appearances, picking up two goals and seven assists, for a total of nine points for the club last term.

Aiken told Guilford Phoenix: “I’m very excited to be playing back at Guildford this season.

“I was a junior player here from under-10s through to under-18s so I see this as my hometown club and I am very proud to be putting the jersey back on again.”

Signing announcements are expected from now until August.