Ice Hockey: Hall of fame honour for legend Lovell

Former Murrayfield Royals player Les Lovell was today inducted into British ice hockey's Hall of Fame and now sits proudly alongside colleagues including Johnny Carlyle and Jack Dryburgh.

The 69-year-old played for five teams during his career, two of them out of Murrayfield.

Kirkcaldy-born Lovell started his glittering career in 1957 with Murrayfield Royals and played four seasons with the club. Moves to Brighton Tigers and then Murrayfield Racers were followed by a stint at Fife Flyers.

Lovell was the top points scorer in the Northern Ice Hockey League in 1970-71 and was Player of the Year that season.

Lovell was also team coach to Murrayfield Raiders from 1979 to 1981. The Scot also made his mark at international level. Indeed, he captained the team at the World Championships in 1976 in Poland and he was player/assistant coach in 1977.