BASINGSTOKE, UK- Bison player-coach Steve Moria from the start of this summer’s recruitment has been committed to bringing back a core of last year’s players.
The latest of which to re-sign is the club captain Nicky Chinn for another term in Hampshire.
The Welshman has a wealth of experience having played at the top level of the game mostly with the Cardiff Devils and the Sheffield Steelers.
The 37-year-old proved to be a lynch-pin of the Bison forward line as he ended the campaign as the top assists merchant in the regular season with 62, which formed the bulk of his 77 points tally.
That was the best by a British player on the Bison roster last year and in fact saw Chinn crash into the top 10 of Basingstoke’s all-time British points scorers at number six.
Only the Redmond brothers Tony and Kenny, Nicky Iandoli, Greg Owen and Steve Nell are above him in the list.
Basingstoke boss Moria confirmed that Chinn will once again wear the C on his jersey and is delighted to have re-signed him beating off competition from other teams.
Chinny heads off a Bees player (Photo Bob Swann)
“He had higher offers from other clubs, but decided to stay with the Bison, He is key player and one you can slot into any of the three forward lines and he will make things happen.
“He is a born leader which is why he is the captain and I am really looking forward to him lifting trophies for us this season,” said Moria.
“I want to be on a team that id definitely challenging to win things and I think that will happen in Basingstoke,” said Chinn.
“I enjoyed playing with the bunch of guys we had last season and I think most will be back again.
“We had a very disappointing end to our season in play-off, but we have leant from this and will be stronger next time around,” added the returning forward.
Being captain again is a role he is looking forward to as he has the chance of pass on all his experience.
“It is great seeing the younger guys on the team improve during the season and I feel it is an important part of my job to help them out as much as I can.”
The addition of Chinn, brings the number of returning Herdsmen to four as he joins Steve Moria, Tony Redmond and Sam Oakford back in Bisonland.
Contact the author Graham.Merry@Prohockeynews.com
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