***image***BASINGSTOKE, UK- The Bison continue to build for next season’s English Premier League campaign with an other returnee in the shape of ‘Mr Basingstoke’ himself Tony Redmond.
The native of Glasgow first came south in the autumn of 1992 to join his older brother Kenny in Basingstoke.
He is now in his fourth spell at the club – he calls his home and is looking forward to a 12th season suiting up for the Herd.
Only last month, he became the first player in Basingstoke history to reach 400 league appearances for the club and it is no surprise with that many games under his belt, Redmond is the highest British goal and points scorer at the club.
His points tally last season was his best in a Bison shirt for a number of season’s and this was despite playing most of it as a defenceman.
He did have a few games back on the Basingstoke forward where he has spent most of his career.
The Scotsman did not disappoint enjoying a three game scoring streak hitting the net four times.
In total, he recorded 26 league points last season of which eight were goals and unfortunately missed eight games due to an knee injury.
At the moment, Redmond is once again pencilled in to patrol the blue line, but with a full summer of recruitment to come for Bison player-coach Steve Moria he could be switched to the forward lines, but is probably unlikely.
The player who turned 36 this week will also once again be Moria’s right hand man as player assistant-coach as his wealth of experience is invaluable to the team.
”He is one of the leaders of the team and a someone who always gives 100 per cent and this is another good signing for us for the core that I want to build on,” said Basingstoke player-coach Moria.
“I have to say I am delighted at being back for another year and reaching 450 league games for the Bison would be nice although I am probably closer to 800 in all competitions. I have always tried to pass my experience on to younger guys , but even more so now as the assistant-coach as I feel this is important to their development as a player,” said returning Redmond.
“With the injuries we experienced last year I don’t believe we saw the team was truly capable of until after Christmas,” he added.
While Tony was celebrating re-signing for the Herd, his older brother Kenny was enjoying success in Luxembourg, with Ireland as one of the team’s assistant-coaches.
The team won promotion to Division Two of the World Championships, but the dream of facing Great Britain will have to be left on hold as the Brits remain in Division One following their exploits in Slovenia this week.
Contact the author Graham.Merry@Prohockeynews.com
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