BASINGSTOKE,U.K-The Basingstoke Bison of the Elite League have added offensive defenseman Trevor Read to their line-up for the coming 2008-09 season. The Canadian will join a five man defensive unit which will have four imports and already boasts American Curtiss Patrick and British-born and trained Kurt Reynolds.
For Read this will be his first experience of hockey in the UK, but he arrives with some useful numbers from spells in the CHL and ECHL. In his rookie season as a pro he was part of the division-winning Toledo Storm, where he earned rave reviews as a player who could defend reliably, handle the physical rigors of the league and chip in with points on a regular basis.
He produced a career high 29 points at the Storm that year, and has since
Photo courtesy of www.pointstreak.com
The 27-year-old spent the last three years in Texas with Amarillo having joined them from state rivals the Austin Ice Bats during the 2005-06 campaign. With American Patrick known as a hitter and stay-at-home defenseman, Read will provide the flair in the back division and the man to make that all important first pass out of the zone.
“He is skilled physical guy who does not pick up too many penalties, I think he will increase his points production for us and has been recommended by our captain Brad (Cruikshank) who believes he will fit right into this team and do a good job,” Bison head coach Ryan Aldridge said.
Bison captain Cruikshank a native of British Columbia moved to Calgary in his childhood and the pair played together for Team Alberta in the Viking Cup against various junior teams from across the world in that tournament.
“I think the fans will enjoy watching him play he is very smooth player with an excellent soft pass, he is certainly going to help out our powerplay and I think this is a great opportunity to prove how good he is,” Cruickshank said.
On his move to the United Kingdom Read sounded upbeat.
“I am really excited about coming to Britain and play, It is something I have thought about for a number of years and now is the right time,” Read said. “I like to score points and get involved in the forward play, but I know my responsibility is to defence so I will take care of that first.”
“I enjoy playing on the powerplay where I am more of a passer, but I won’t give up an opportunity to shoot, I just wish the season was starting now as I can’t wait to join the Bison and I look forward to a good season,” added Read.
Contact the author at Graham.merry@prohockeynews.com
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