BASINGSTOKE, UK – The Bison have been quick out of the blocks with their recruitment for next season by signings three of their top forwards and one of their star defenseman.
The trio of forwards is Tomas Karpov, Ciaran Long and Joe Greener, while the blue liner returning is Kurt Reynolds.
Long was the Herd’s top goal and points scorer with 62 points split evenly between goals and assists.
The 24-year-old Birmingham-born capped a great campaign as he was selected for the Great Britain Prospects team and was also the Bison’s players’ player.
This was his break out year in the EPL for the British sharp shooter as he really came of age.
Fellow Brit Greener enjoyed his best year to date in the goal scoring column as he hit the net 28 times in a points total of 57.
The Basingstoke-born player/assistant coach will return for his fourth straight campaign with Bison in what is the second spell at the club for the 28-year-old.
He was the winner of player/coach Doug Sheppard’s coach’s award at the club’s annual prize giving.
Czech-born Karpov was the club’s leading points in their double winning season, but last year injuries to his line mates, as well a broken wrist for Karpov late on in the campaign limited the game breaking player to just 46 points (19+27) from 40 games.
He certainly brings flair to the line-up and returns for a third year with the Herd and is the second year of a three year deal.
Top British defenseman Reynolds is also back on the second year of a two year contract and Basingstoke-born is back for eighth season with the Herd.
The 28-year-old Basingstoke-born player is as solid as they come on the blue line and has now made over 300 league appearances.
“I am really pleased with the first signings we have made as all of them were key players of our team last season, said Bison player/coach Doug Sheppard.
Three players not returning to the Bison are their club captain and forward Nicky Chinn, utility player Michael Wales and teenage defenseman Brendan Baird.
Contact the author Graham.Merry@Prohockeynews.
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