Individual News
24th of December 2008
The Basingstoke Bison are pleased to announce the signing of hard nosed Canadian forward Mike Olynyk.
The 27-year-old from Sparwood, British Columbia, will make his debut for the Herd in Saturday's clash with the Hull Stingrays.
The new forward's junior career saw him play four seasons in the British Columbia Hockey League, where he scored 154 points, which was a great return considering he also racked up over 400 minutes in penalties as well - so he is sure to add some spice to the Bison line-up.
In Olynyk's rookie professional season in 2002/03 he helped the Austin Ice Bats to the President's Cup finals in the Central Hockey League, the first of three years in Texas for him. His next season was split between the Quad City Mallards and the , Missouri River Otters, of the United Hockey League.
In the autumn of 2006, he moved to Port Huron and last season was still playing for the same franchise and one of his team mates was current Bison C man Brent Hughes. The captain is predicting the new boy to the Herd will be an instant hit and said: "Mike is good skater, he will finish his hits and create room for his linemates."
He added: " He will be good on the powerplay as he is prepare to stick in front of the net and take that extra hit and he also will help us on the PK. He can fight if he has too, but he is not coming here to do that job for us."
The signing of Olynyk is sure to add to the entertainment when he makes his debut against the Stingrays, in a game which has a 6.30pm face-off. Tickets are still available by ringing the box office on (01256) 355266.
Also just for this game, Planet Ice have have linked up with the Basingstoke Gazette and in this week's main edition now in the shops, there is a special voucher offer for the game, where Kids go for a Quid if accompanied by a full paying adult.
The 27-year-old from Sparwood, British Columbia, will make his debut for the Herd in Saturday's clash with the Hull Stingrays.
The new forward's junior career saw him play four seasons in the British Columbia Hockey League, where he scored 154 points, which was a great return considering he also racked up over 400 minutes in penalties as well - so he is sure to add some spice to the Bison line-up.
In Olynyk's rookie professional season in 2002/03 he helped the Austin Ice Bats to the President's Cup finals in the Central Hockey League, the first of three years in Texas for him. His next season was split between the Quad City Mallards and the , Missouri River Otters, of the United Hockey League.
In the autumn of 2006, he moved to Port Huron and last season was still playing for the same franchise and one of his team mates was current Bison C man Brent Hughes. The captain is predicting the new boy to the Herd will be an instant hit and said: "Mike is good skater, he will finish his hits and create room for his linemates."
He added: " He will be good on the powerplay as he is prepare to stick in front of the net and take that extra hit and he also will help us on the PK. He can fight if he has too, but he is not coming here to do that job for us."
The signing of Olynyk is sure to add to the entertainment when he makes his debut against the Stingrays, in a game which has a 6.30pm face-off. Tickets are still available by ringing the box office on (01256) 355266.
Also just for this game, Planet Ice have have linked up with the Basingstoke Gazette and in this week's main edition now in the shops, there is a special voucher offer for the game, where Kids go for a Quid if accompanied by a full paying adult.