BASINGSTOKE, UK – The Bison have beefed up their defense for the coming season with addition of top stay at home D-men Carl Graham and Zach Sullivan.
Both players are no strangers to the EPL with Graham returning to Bisonland after a year away at Bracknell, while teenager Sullivan arrives from fellow Berkshire outfit Slough Jets.
Reading-born Graham had a career high 12 point season when last with the Herd and is looked upon to add some physical clout to the blue line brigade.
He played on the top D line in Bracknell last year until a leg injury saw him sit out a few months.
He is now back to full fitness and training hard for his return to the Bison.
“I had a good year when I was last in Basingstoke and I am impressed with the players that Doug Sheppard has signed so far,” said returning Graham.
“He will add some grit to our defense as well as playing a smart game as well, “ said Bison player/coach Sheppard.
Sullivan will be another important member of the defense and the 17-year-old is one of the up and coming stars in the game.
A junior Great Britain international who is expected to play the under-20s again this season at Christmas.
He always impressed when playing beyond his years when he came up against the Bison last term.
He is also a player that Sheppard who coached him last season in Slough has high hopes for.
“I think he is very underrated and is a player who is despite to play a lot higher,” said Sheppard.
“I am taking a year out from uni to focus on my hockey so I am looking forward to having a great year,” said Sullivan.
With these two additions together with the previous signings of Alex Symonds and Kurt Reynolds the Herd now have only one spot left to fill on their defense which will be an import.
So club captain and utility player Tony Redmond will start the season as a forward, but he will be ready to slot into the blue line when injuries occur.
This means the club now have four more forwards to sign with two expected to be announced this week.
Contact the author Graham.Merry@Prohockeynews.com
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