The Basingstoke Bison are delighted to announce the signing of talented British defenceman Sam Zajac.

The 19-year-old stamped his mark on the EPL with the Telford Tigers last term after a mid-season switch from the ENL outfit Whitley Warriors.

Zajac impressed that much in a Tigers shirt that he won the accolade of Best Defenceman of the Year at their end of season awards.

Bison player/coach Steve Moria has been tracking this great defensive talent for a couple of years and said: "I watched the ENL Final in Coventry last season between Whitley and Peterborough and I thought he was the best player on the ice. I did not have a spot for him last year in Slough, but he was one of the players that was top of my list once I took over in Basingstoke."

Talking about his latest capture Moria added: "He is a very defensive player and a small guy who plays big. He wins his one-on-one battles and moves the puck well. He is a young player who can only get better and I see him helping us challenge for trophies this season."

New signing Zajac said: "This is a great opportunity for me and I am really excited about coming to play in Basingstoke, icing with a new team and meeting the fans