Lee Valley Lions have announced the re-signings of players’ player Nicky Alley and forward Chris Fox for the upcoming season.

East London Advertiser: Chris Fox rushing up ice with the puck (pic: Phil Henderson)Chris Fox rushing up ice with the puck (pic: Phil Henderson) (Image: Archant)

The club welcome back captain Alley for his fifth season in the green and blue and says it was a no brainer to return.

The 27-year-old said: “Since the end of last season it was always my plan to re-sign.

“Since I’ve been back at the club I feel it’s improved each year - something I’m excited to see continue.”

Alley, who is in his second stint with the club, having first joined in 2007 before playing for Trafford Metros, now Altrincham Aces whilst studying in Manchester, is eighth in the all-time scoring ranks.

He made 17 appearances, notching 15 goals and 11 assists for a total of 26 points in league last campaign.

“There are the added unknowns with the league structure but it is going to be a great experience for everyone playing against the teams with higher league experience,” he said.

“We are only going to learn and improve from that, and that’s something I wanted to be a part of.”

Joining the captain on the roster is Chris Fox, who spent his junior career at Haringey and Slough, before signing with local rivals Haringey Greyhounds and then Streatham IHC will be back for his fourth season.

Fox, who represented Great Britain’s University team last year, made 15 appearances, scoring eight goals and eight assists for the club last season.

The 25-year-old said: “I am delighted to be back with Lee Valley for next season.

“As a team I felt we got stronger and stronger throughout the season and started to really mesh together.

“With the realignment of the leagues, it is going to be a great opportunity to test ourselves against quality opposition each week and see how good we really are.”

Coach George Alley added: “With the league strengthening this year, it’s important to keep your best players on board and in these two I think we’ve started well.

“Goal scoring was an issue, so to bring back two of our main sources for points was of major importance, especially with the quality of opposition going up a level this season.

More signings expected soon.