MKL Duo Secure Two-Way Development Deals in Teal

The English side currently compete in Britain’s second-tier professional league, the National Ice Hockey League (NIHL), and will have first call on the duo’s services across the season.

Sean Norris is already in Belfast, taking part in the Giants’ training camp, ahead of this weekend’s pre-season games vs Cardiff, away and at home this weekend.

The 22-year-old forward from Ascot, Berkshire was no stranger to bringing the puck forward and scoring goals, securing a total of 68 total points (31 goals, 37 assists) in 43 games on the ice.

Following his initial stint here in Belfast, Norris will head back to Milton Keynes for pre-season games for MK Lightning, ahead of the upcoming 2022/23 season, beginning in September.

Right-winger, Bobby Chamberlain from Hull has also secured a similar two-way deal and may be called upon by the Giants throughout the 2022/23 season, adding further depth to the team’s British core.

The 27-year-old right-winger, has promising performance stats, having posted 36 goals and 42 assists in 43 games played last season with MKL.

Commenting on the announcement, head coach Adam Keefe said: “Investing in, and developing talent is incredibly important to this organisation, and that’s why we believe our two-way arrangement with Milton Keynes Lightning is a great step, and mutually beneficial in its contribution to adding further depth to the Giants’ British core.

"We will do all we can to continue to provide chances for talented new athletes to continually grow and improve alongside us, both on and off the ice. I look forward to seeing what these guys can produce on the ice this season when the opportunity arises.”

AIB Milton Keynes Lightening head coach, Tim Wallace said: “I’m pleased that we have been able to work with Adam Keefe to create opportunities both ways, for Mack Stewart with us and now for Sean Norris and Bobby Chamberlain to experience and grow in an Elite League environment.

“This news is a real testament to Norris and Chamberlain’s work ethic and professionalism, that they have been identified by the Giants as players they want to work with.”

Tickets for the 2022/2023 home Pre-Season, Premier Sports Elite League, Challenge Cup, and CHL home games at The SSE Arena, Belfast are on sale NOW. More information and a full list of fixtures are available here.

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SEAN NORRIS | ASCOT, ENGLAND | #14

Born in Ascot, Co. Berkshire, Sean Norris spent the early part of his career in the Bracknell junior system before spending a couple of seasons in the Czech republic at under 18 and under 20 level.

His UK breakthrough came as he moved into playing senior hockey for Slough Jets, picking up an impressive 35 goals and 79 points in just 24 games in the 2018/19 season, when he also made 19 appearances for MK Thunder picking up a further 11 points.

In 2019/20 he initially signed a 2-way for Slough and Basingstoke, before making the Bison his first priority for the rest of the season. In that NIHL National season he picked up 30 points in 23 games.

BOBBY CHAMBERLAIN | HULL, ENGLAND | #28

Chamberlain signed with Milton Keynes Lightning last year and played in the Streaming Series before icing for Bees in the Spring Cup, Nottingham in the Elite Series and MK Thunder in the cup series. In his last full season playing for Hull Pirates, he picked up 37 goals and 34 assists in 37 games, putting him tied third in the top goalscorers’ chart and 9th overall in points in the league.

Having joined MKL last year from Hull Pirates, where he spent the previous three seasons, his career has primarily centred around his teams in his native Hull, but also includes over 80 EPIHL games for MKL, where he picked up 69 points.

He now will have the opportunity to be called on by the Belfast Giants this season.