BASINGSTOKE, UK – The Bison roster has just two spots left on it which is an import forward and defenseman after the signing of four teenage British players.
The quartet of youngsters to pen to paper were Jacob Heron, Connor Standing, Cameron Wynn and Andrew Melachrino.
Of the four only Melachrino is new to the Herd, but is no stranger to Bison boss Doug Sheppard as he played for him last season in Slough Jets.
The 19-year-old is a current Great Britain under-20 forward and scored twice for the senior Slough side in the EPL from 35 starts as well as lighting the lamp 11 times for the Jets ENL team in just 15 games.
In last year’s World Championships in Germany he scored twice and was joint top scorer for Great Britain along with old club mate Aaron Connolly.
The Guildford-born sharp shooter leant his hockey with Surrey club and so has played in Basingstoke since he was nine.
“Andrew should benefit from the big ice sheet at Basingstoke and is a player I believe had a lot of potential. I am looking forward to coaching him again this season,” said Sheppard.
Two of the other three additions are also forwards in Heron and Wynn.
Heron a native of Milton Keynes joined the Bison side from the Bucks outfit as a spare forward, but his hard energy rate soon made sure of a spot on the all-Brit third line.
The 19-year-old weighted in with a career high nine goals in a points total of 12 and this campaign has set himself a target to score 15 times which with the Bison’s impress offense would be a very useful combination.
“Jacob has a great work ethic which what I what I want from all of my players. He will give you everything if it be dish out a hit and work in the corners.”
Wynn who was born in Poole, but moved to Basingstoke at an early age and has played for every single team at the Hampshire club from under-10 to the Bison.
At 17 he is the youngest out skater on the roster and impressed last season when called up to the Herd when they suffered a major injury crisis.
He played the last 16 games of the campaign picking up two points, before that he returned impress stats for Basingstoke’s ENL side the Buffalo 20 points (9+11) from nine games and the under-18 Bison 55 points (36+19).
“Cameron capitalized on his opportunity last season and is a very smart player way beyond his years. I am looking forward to working with him,” said Sheppard.
The signing quartet is completed by another 17-year-old in new back-up netminder Basingstoke-born Standing.
He dressed in one game for the Bison in the EPL, but did post a save percentage of 89.7 from 18 games for the under-18 Bison facing on average 42 shots a game.
He is another product of the Bison’s junior programme and like Wynn is hoping to force his way into the Great Britain under-18 side for the World Championships next year.
“Connor knows his job on the team and should learn so much playing alongside Stevie Lyle this season,” said Sheppard.
Contact the author Graham.Merry@Prohockeynews.com
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