Individual News
29th of May 2008
The Basingstoke Bison are pleased to announce the signing of British pair Shaun Thompson and Kurt Reynolds for the coming campaign.
Both players are no strangers to Basingstoke, as forward Thompson has formerly played in the Elite League with the Herd, while defenceman Reynolds grew up in the town and played for a few years in the club's junior programme.
Last season the former Great Britain junior internationals played for the Bracknell Bees in the English Premier League and will now hope to add some more sting to the Herd when they hit the ice in the autumn.
Thompson last season returned 33 points and 13 goals from 39 games in Berkshire, while Reynolds also showed his offensive flair with 14 points which included six goals from the same amount of games.
Both players last season played in the Elite League when called up by the Nottingham Panthers and Thompson even managed to bag a goal in just three appearances
Bison head coach Ryan Aldridge is delighted with his double capture and said: "Shaun is a solid centreman, has the right attitude and has gained a lot of experience since last being in a Bison shirt. I think the time is right for him to move back to the Elite League.
He added: "Kurt is a smart defenceman who knows what to do in a given situation. He has a great work ethic and I am sure he will be a good asset to this team. "
For Thompson it is the chance to re-join again with Aldridge his player/coach in his first full year in Bracknell.
The returning 20-year-old Bison forward said: "I am very excited about coming back to Basingstoke and I am working hard in the gym. I know Ryan (Aldridge) will get the best out of me as a coach and I want to do well for Basingstoke and put myself in the shop window for a place in the senior Great Britain team for the two trips to Poland this year. I have always enjoyed playing for my country and now want to do it again."
Basingstoke's other returnee Reynolds spent four years playing in North America, before returning to Britain last season and lacing up his skates for the Bracknell Bees.
That experience is certain to hold him in good stead as the 21-year-old continues his development in the sport. He is expected to fill the fifth defenceman spot on the roster, but can also play as a forward if needed.
Reynolds said: "I feel this is the next step in my career and I felt I could make the jump up having experienced a couple of games last year.
"I want to do well and win things with the Bison that is my first goal and if that helps me make the Great Britain team that would be a great plus."
Both players are no strangers to Basingstoke, as forward Thompson has formerly played in the Elite League with the Herd, while defenceman Reynolds grew up in the town and played for a few years in the club's junior programme.
Last season the former Great Britain junior internationals played for the Bracknell Bees in the English Premier League and will now hope to add some more sting to the Herd when they hit the ice in the autumn.
Thompson last season returned 33 points and 13 goals from 39 games in Berkshire, while Reynolds also showed his offensive flair with 14 points which included six goals from the same amount of games.
Both players last season played in the Elite League when called up by the Nottingham Panthers and Thompson even managed to bag a goal in just three appearances
Bison head coach Ryan Aldridge is delighted with his double capture and said: "Shaun is a solid centreman, has the right attitude and has gained a lot of experience since last being in a Bison shirt. I think the time is right for him to move back to the Elite League.
He added: "Kurt is a smart defenceman who knows what to do in a given situation. He has a great work ethic and I am sure he will be a good asset to this team. "
For Thompson it is the chance to re-join again with Aldridge his player/coach in his first full year in Bracknell.
The returning 20-year-old Bison forward said: "I am very excited about coming back to Basingstoke and I am working hard in the gym. I know Ryan (Aldridge) will get the best out of me as a coach and I want to do well for Basingstoke and put myself in the shop window for a place in the senior Great Britain team for the two trips to Poland this year. I have always enjoyed playing for my country and now want to do it again."
Basingstoke's other returnee Reynolds spent four years playing in North America, before returning to Britain last season and lacing up his skates for the Bracknell Bees.
That experience is certain to hold him in good stead as the 21-year-old continues his development in the sport. He is expected to fill the fifth defenceman spot on the roster, but can also play as a forward if needed.
Reynolds said: "I feel this is the next step in my career and I felt I could make the jump up having experienced a couple of games last year.
"I want to do well and win things with the Bison that is my first goal and if that helps me make the Great Britain team that would be a great plus."