Individual News
23rd of August 2007
The signing of former NHL defenceman Dean Melanson means the Basingstoke Bison have just one import slot left to fill.
The native of Nova Scotia played nine games in total in the show in two spells with different teams.
His first stint of five games came in season 1994/95 for the Buffalo Sabres - the team he was drafted by in 1992 in the fourth round and 80th overall.
Seven years later he returned to the top flight with the Washington Capitals playing four times.
Away from the NHL, the 33-year-old played extensively in the American Hockey League, and won the Calder Cup with the Rochester Americans in 1996 as well as being a finalist twice more with the club.
In total he played over 550 games at that level, before gaining his first taste of hockey outside North American in the German DEL.
Last season he returned after nine months out due to knee surgery in January this year and played in Italy for the Milan Vipers.
A player with so much experience at a high level in the game is another great acquisition for the Herd and Bison head coach Ryan Aldridge said: "He is a tough guy who hits like a truck and will be one of our leaders both on and off the ice for this team. He is going to fit in well with the players we have already signed."
The latest Bison signing is excited about coming to Britain for the first time in his career and said: "I have been told the league is a little more aggressive than in Italy and Germany, which will suit me just fine.
"Last season I only started playing in January, because of my knee, but I am fully fit now and I am raring to go and can't wait for the season to start."
When describing himself he said: "I am a strong stay at home defenceman, who loves to throw the body and clear traffic away from in front of my own net. I will be looking to make the first pass out of the zone."
Looking back over his career so far he said: "I was lucky enough to play in the NHL and all my hard work paid off with a second spell, but I think for me the high spot of my career was winning the Calder Cup."
The Herd have just one import defenceman to announce so watch this space.
The native of Nova Scotia played nine games in total in the show in two spells with different teams.
His first stint of five games came in season 1994/95 for the Buffalo Sabres - the team he was drafted by in 1992 in the fourth round and 80th overall.
Seven years later he returned to the top flight with the Washington Capitals playing four times.
Away from the NHL, the 33-year-old played extensively in the American Hockey League, and won the Calder Cup with the Rochester Americans in 1996 as well as being a finalist twice more with the club.
In total he played over 550 games at that level, before gaining his first taste of hockey outside North American in the German DEL.
Last season he returned after nine months out due to knee surgery in January this year and played in Italy for the Milan Vipers.
A player with so much experience at a high level in the game is another great acquisition for the Herd and Bison head coach Ryan Aldridge said: "He is a tough guy who hits like a truck and will be one of our leaders both on and off the ice for this team. He is going to fit in well with the players we have already signed."
The latest Bison signing is excited about coming to Britain for the first time in his career and said: "I have been told the league is a little more aggressive than in Italy and Germany, which will suit me just fine.
"Last season I only started playing in January, because of my knee, but I am fully fit now and I am raring to go and can't wait for the season to start."
When describing himself he said: "I am a strong stay at home defenceman, who loves to throw the body and clear traffic away from in front of my own net. I will be looking to make the first pass out of the zone."
Looking back over his career so far he said: "I was lucky enough to play in the NHL and all my hard work paid off with a second spell, but I think for me the high spot of my career was winning the Calder Cup."
The Herd have just one import defenceman to announce so watch this space.