BASINGSTOKE, UK – Bison boss Steve Moria has wasted little time in starting to build his roster for the coming EPL campaign, by re-signing five of his British stars from last season. The quintet who have agreed to return are Tony Redmond, Ollie Bronnimann, Chris Wiggins, Sam Oakford and Kurt Reynolds. Redmond will also take on the mantle once again of assistant coach and the utility player is currently lined up to play as a forward. Last year the popular Scot suffered a broken wrist which saw him miss 11 games, but he still managed to take his tally of league games for the club to a new all time record of 446 and with 54 games this coming campaign he could reach the magic 500 mark. It is no surprise that the Glasgow-born player is the all-time top British goal scorer with 145 placing him fifth overall, behind Canadians Kevin Conway, Tim Salmon, Don Yewchin and Mario Belanger and he is fourth in points list with 400. “Tony was the first player I wanted to sign and like me he is still hungry to win things,” said Moria. “I think we improved greatly last year as a team and were very unfortunate not to win a trophy, but it was not to be. We now have to concentrate on the positives from last season and looking to improve on that,” said Redmond. Fellow forward Bronnimann enjoyed his best season to date and was the top British goal scorer in the EPL as he hit the net 34 times in 53 games making him a target for many rival teams and for the Herd was a key returnee. Only two British-born players have scored more goals in a season for Basingstoke that being Nicky Iandoli with a record 41 goals and Redmond twice with 36. In two seasons, the Margate-born player now has a total of 97 league points for the Herd and for British players that is seventh in the all-time list. “Ollie had his best year to date, but I feel he can still get better as he has so much ability. I expect my top six guys to score 20 league goals so getting 34 was a real bonus for us,” said Moria. “As a team we are getting stronger each year and closer to winning trophies,” said Bronnimann. Wiggins, one of the tallest players in the EPL standing at 6ft 5in, had been touted for a move to the Elite and admitted turning down offers from teams in the top flight to lace up his skates for a third year in Basingstoke. For the second year running, the power forward recorded 18 points including his first hat-trick in a Bison jersey. He also became only the third player in the club’s history to have two 100 plus penalty minute seasons.
Last year he led the team with 198 minutes in total and his all-action style certainly makes him a fans’ favourite in Hampshire. Player/coach Steve Moria still feels there is more to come from the 23-year-old. “Wiggy is a player who brings a different dimension to the team and a player you know will give his all every shift,” said Moria. “I feel that Basingstoke is my home now and the fans are great to me. I can promise them I will give 100 per cent every shift,” said Wiggins. Defenseman Reynolds is the long serving member of the Herd as he will return for a fourth consecutive season in the autumn. He is the last remaining member of the ill fated Bison Elite League team.
The 24-year-old shows maturity beyond his years and last season was an ever present on the blue line. He has an excellent shot which should make it ever present on the powerplay and picked up 23 points last season including four goals. His performance’s earned him the Supporters British Player of the Season. “Kurt could be one of the top defenseman in this league. He is a great skater and rarely gets beaten one-on-one,” said Moria. “I am treated well by the fans in Basingstoke and the place feels like home. For me I want to do well because otherwise I feel I am letting my own home town down,” said Reynolds. Solid stay at home defenseman Oakford was another rock at the back and a player of few goals, but he did score in the EPL Cup final. “Oakie is a top shut down D-man and I rate him very highly. I think people forget he is still a young player as it feels like he has been around for years,” said Moria. Oakford signed a two year deal last season is pleased to be back as it fits in perfectly with his final year at Southampton University. “Last year was frustrating for me with a shoulder injury and I never really got back to full fitness when I returned. So I will make sure that during the summer I get my shoulders right, said Oakford. Contact the author Graham.Merry@Prohockeynews.com
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