THE Basingstoke Bison have made another big re-signing ahead of the forthcoming campaign by announcing that their top scoring defenceman, Miroslav Vantroba, will be back in Hampshire again

The stylish Slovak player returns to the Herd for a third straight season. He returned 40 points during the last campaign, hitting the net nine times with his laser-like slap shot.

The 35-year-old looked even more at home in the Bison back division last season, having been a key member of the Herd’s defence in their double-winning season the year before, when he also collected 40 points.

Having started his senior career with his home town team of HC Spisska Nova Ves, Vantroba was a Continental Cup winner, ice hockey’s equivalent of the football’s Champions League, with Slovak side MHC Martin in 2008/09.

This wealth of experience from playing over 600 games in the top flight in his native land is clear to see every time he steps on the ice.

He formed an excellent partnership with young British defenceman Declan Balmer. The pair have the ideal blend of flair and aggression and they could well team up again in the forthcoming season.

Bison player/coach Doug Sheppard is delighted with the latest addition to his squad and said: “I was a no brainer to bring Miro (Miroslav Vantroba) back.

“He plays at a different level and I really felt he settled in last season as he now more familiar with this league.

“He is a player who is able to slow the game down and he can always make that telling pass for you.”

Vantroba is the fourth defenceman to re-sign for the Bison, following hot on the heels of British trio Joe Baird, Declan Balmer and Kurt Reynolds.

Sheppard added: “Having these four guys back will mean we have the instant chemistry between the players. We will also be able to mix things around, which is going to be good for us.”

Sheppard still has at least one more defenceman to add to the quartet that have already signed, but the Herd are already sure to have one of the top blue line units in the English Premier League.