BASINGSTOKE UK, The Bison have added two more young British forwards to their offence unit and both Ralfs Circenis and JJ Pitchley are new to the Herd.
Both players are eager to play for the Bison and for Circenis this will be his EPL debut having last season played for the Solent Devils in the National Ice Hockey League South One.
The 17-year-old who will turn 18 before the start of the season collected 27 points from 27 games in his first full season with the south Hampshire outfit hitting the net 16 times.
He was born in Latvia, but is classed as British forward in the EPL having played for the junior teams in Solent, Basingstoke and Guildford.
He is very much looked upon as a raw talent and having posted impressive numbers especially in Guildford and he looks good enough to now take the next step.
Former Great Britain junior international Pitchley will switch from local rivals Bracknell to suit up for the Bison.
The 21-year-old ended last season playing for Bees and recorded seven points in 13 games with one of those assists coming against Basingstoke in the final derby game at the Hive.
He also played in the National Hockey League South One for the Bracknell Hornets, where he was their top points scorer with 54 (23+31) from 36 games.
The previous year the forward played for Slough Jets in the EPL and also had a season in America in the WSHL with the Dallas Snipers, where he recorded 32 points from 44 hitting the net 20 times while in Texas.
The Romford-born forward is the son of former Romford Raiders’ defenseman Ben Pitchley, who played a number of times against Basingstoke in the 1980s and 90s.
“These are two energy guys and will add another dimension to the team and I am pleased the way it is coming together. We still a few more signings to come to complete the line-up,” said Bison head coach Doug Sheppard.
Contact the author Graham.Merry@Prohockeynews
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