BASINGSTOKE, UK – After a disastrous 2008/09 campaign which saw the Bison finish dead last in the Elite League and hit numerous financial difficulties along the way, the 2009/10 campaign promises to be a step into the unknown for the Hampshire-based outfit. The Bison’s drop down to the EPL has meant fans can now look forward to local derbies with Bracknell Bees, Guildford Flames and Slough Jets among others.
The drop has also brought with it many changes personnel-wise. Virtually the whole squad has been changed so much so that only 22-year-old Basingstoke native Kurt Reynolds will be returning to the Bison for the upcoming season. In a season that didn’t give Bison fans too many things to cheer about, the Brit was one of the few bright spots. Displaying solid defensive awareness in his own zone as well as having the knack of pitching-in in the offensive end at the right time, his 4 goals and 13 points ranked him as the top scoring Brit on the Bison blue-line.
The man who has been charged to lead the Bison in their inaugural EPL campaign is none other than British hockey legend Steve Moria. The Vancouver native will return as a player to the Bison for the first time since icing with the club in the inaugural Elite League season. Even at the tender age of 48 “Mo” is showing no signs of slowing down just yet; being at the top end of the EPL scoring charts since the leagues inception. “I am even more excited this time around than when I first came to Basingstoke. This is a fresh start and I know the last two years have been tough for the fans, but we want to be challenging for trophies ” the wily veteran commented.
Moria wasted little time in trying to build a team he thinks is capable of challenging for top honours this season. The first major signing was the return of another Bison favourite, 38-year-old import Joe Ciccarello. The all-star forward returns to the Herd having spent the past four years in Slough alongside Moria where the two have become one of the most lethal 1-2 combinations in the EPL. Fans hope the return of these two dynamic veterans will bring exciting fast-flowing hockey to Planet Ice rink.
The clubs other two imports for the year will be Slovakian born forward Ondrej Lauko and hulking Lithuanian defenseman Mindaugas Kieras. The former will make his debut in English hockey after having spent most of his career with his hometown club, VTJ Topolcalny, in the Slovakian second division and more recently being one of the top scorers in the top Polish league. “ He skates well and does not mind the physical play. Everyone I have spoken too rates him as a good offensive player” an excited Moria stated.
Kieras returns to Britain after having played in Latvia for the past two seasons. Kieras is no stranger to the EPL in any way after having played in the league from 2005-07. In that time he cemented himself as one of the most dependable defenseman to have ever suited up in the EPL. Since leaving the league has become a huge and integral part of the Lithuanian hockey program that has gone on to become one of the fastest growing hockey nation in recent years. His last outing in the EPL was with the Milton Keynes Lightning where he racked up 20 goals as a defenseman and in doing so become the top scoring defence man that year. “ This is the guy I have been chasing since the end of April. He has the experience of playing in this League; Mindy was superb during his time with the Milton Keynes Lightning ” said Moria.
The Bison ’ s Brit pack is without doubt one the strongest in the league. The acquisitions of Nicky Chinn and fan favourite Tony Redmond from Moria ’ s ex-club Slough Jets has added much needed grit and experience to the squad. The latter will serve as Moria’s assistant coach. The 35-year-old Scotsman has always been involved with the club whenever they have tasted success. The former has been recently announced as club captain for the teams first season in the EPL. “ Chinny is a great leader both on and off the ice and I’m sure he will be a great captain for this club.” Moria said.
The clubs management has made sure that the Bison ’ s status of icing the best available young British talent in the country has not been undone. Arriving in Basingstoke are hugely talented British blueliners Sam Oakford and Sam Zajac. Oakford was one of the hottest commodities in the EPL last season and was voted as the best British player by the Bracknell Bees faithful at just the tender age of 19. Furthermore he will also don the ‘ A ’ after being named the clubs assistant captain this season, meaning there will be added responsibility on the youngster’s shoulders.
Zajac comes down from the Telford Tigers having totalled a respectable 9 points in 22 games with limited ice-time.
Ollie Brönnimann, Andy Hemmings, Tom Long, Scott Spearing, Jamie Line and Chris Wiggins all add strength and important solid British depth to the squad’s British forwards.
The Bison have gone all British between the pipes with the signatures of Dave Lawrence from Telford and Tom Annets from local rivals Bracknell. “ Netminding is a critical position on the team and it is important to have two good goalies. Tom played well for me in Slough and improved last season when he was in Bracknell. I haven’t played on the same team as Davey but I have seen him play and I look forward to working with him this season, ” said Moria.
On paper, the Bison should be considered as one of the teams to beat this year and a season without any silverware would be considered a disappointment to the fans. There are a few question marks hanging over the Hampshire side with the season fast approaching. Even with the addition of young talented Brits in the line-up the Bison still remain one of the oldest teams in the EPL, with many of its key players in the twilight of their careers. The Bison have been unlucky with injuries for quite some time now. Many say it was an important factor as to where they placed in the standings last year only managing to play with 10-12 skaters most games.
The fans will be hoping the injury bug does not catch up with the Herd this year and that the older guys can keep fit and handle the grind that the EPL is renowned for. In addition, with so many new faces being added to the line-up, Moria will have his hands full in trying to get the players to gel and get settled into his system and find chemistry with their line-mates. All these factors will go a long way in deciding the fate of the Bison this year.
The coach will have his first chance to experiment with possible line combinations when the Herd will face off against bitter rival Bracknell Bees for a challenge match on the 12th September.
There is a sense of renewed excitement around the Basingstoke side heading into a season that promises to be one of the most compelling the Herd has ever been involved in.
Contact Sandro.Berish@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.