Say hello, wave goodbye.
While many might think this is the time of year to take a break, planning for next season is already well underway. Preparations, in fact, began the day after the National Championship in Coventry.
Evemax Events Ltd / Blackburn Hawks Ice Hockey Club are pleased to confirm the coaching structure for the 2026/27 season:
- Bench Coach: Ollie Lomax
- Player Coach: Andy McKinney
The club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Dominic Osman, who has made the difficult decision to step down from his position.
Following a meeting between the coaches and the board on 17th April, Dom expressed his desire to move on from the role. After open and honest discussion, it was mutually agreed that this was the right decision, with the board fully supportive and understanding of his reasoning.
Over the past four years, Dom has been instrumental in the club’s growth and success. Under his leadership, the team has gone from strength to strength, helping shape Blackburn Hawks into the club it is today. He leaves with his head held high and a deep sense of pride. His commitment, dedication, and countless hours on the road speak volumes—not only about the coach he is, but the person he is. The transformation of the club is reflected clearly in a trophy cabinet that is no longer empty, but thriving.
Dom departs with the very best wishes of everyone connected with the club. While stepping down from his current role, this is by no means a full goodbye. He will remain involved behind the scenes, supporting Ollie and Andy with the recruitment of both UK and overseas players. We also look forward to continuing to see Dom, along with Sarah and Isla, around the arena.
Importantly, it was Dom himself who recommended Ollie Lomax and Andy McKinney to take the reins, ensuring continuity and stability within the club—an approach unanimously supported by the board.
Following the National Championship game in Coventry, Dom shared his decision with the team in the dressing room. It was already an emotional day, and his announcement understandably added to that, with a few more tears shed.
Ollie Lomax needs little introduction. Known to many as “Mr Blackburn,” his passion and commitment to the club have been evident throughout his long and distinguished playing career. Highly respected across the hockey community, Ollie first stepped into coaching during the Covid Cup as assistant to Ryan Finnerty. He continued in that role the following season under Mike Clancy before stepping up as interim coach, where he excelled and showed clear potential for a long-term leadership role.
For the past four years, Ollie has worked closely alongside Dom, forming a strong and successful partnership that has played a major role in the club’s recent achievements. His progression has been clear for all to see, and his appointment as Bench Coach is both well earned and timely. The club is delighted he has accepted the role.
We are equally pleased that Andy McKinney will take on the role of Player Coach for the 2026/27 season. Andy’s leadership qualities, both on the ice and in the dressing room, are exceptional. A true leader in every sense, he has consistently led by example and, at times, carried the team through key moments. With experience across the Elite League, National League, and NIHL North, Andy brings invaluable knowledge, professionalism, and presence to the role.
Together, Ollie and Andy form a balanced and highly capable leadership team. They understand the demands of the game and the standards required, and they will ensure accountability across the squad while fostering a strong, competitive environment.
With preparations already well underway, they have been given full backing to assemble a strong and successful roster for the upcoming campaign—a process that is already in motion.
The club looks forward to the future with confidence and excitement and wishes Ollie and Andy every success for the 2026/27 season.
A message from Dominic Osman
“First of all, I would like to thank everyone connected with Blackburn. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to remain in my full-time role with the club this season. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the entire organisation, the fans, and every player who has played for me over the last four years.
It’s with an extremely heavy heart that I step away from the role. I want to thank my wife Sarah and my daughter Isla for the thousands of miles they’ve travelled in support of me—I couldn’t have done this without them.
I’d also like to personally thank Carl Everitt, Graham Lomax, and Ollie Lomax for giving me the opportunity four years ago to achieve something I felt was missing from my hockey life. We had a clear goal: to move the organisation forward and leave it in a better place than we found it. I’d also like to thank Scott Jenkinson and Graham Smith for their support this season—it’s been a breath of fresh air.
The success we’ve achieved has been almost unbelievable, and I’m incredibly proud of where we are now compared to where we started. If someone had told me we would go from 7th place to 1st and win five major trophies along the way, I’m not sure I would have believed them. That success comes down to the players in the room, and I’m extremely grateful for the effort every one of them has given. Go until you can’t go anymore.
I want to personally thank Ollie Lomax and his family – he’s been my right-hand man throughout this journey and is now a great friend and like a brother to me. I wish him all the best as Bench Coach, and Andy McKinney as Player Coach. I know that, together with the group in the room, they will build an extremely competitive team moving forward.
I look forward to watching Ollie carry the torch and show what it takes to defend these trophies—and no doubt add more to the cabinet. I’ll see you all again next season, this time from the crowd. Thank you again for everything.”
Photo Credit – Blueline Photography.