LEADING goal scorer Tomas Karpov has become the second Basingstoke Bison player to return for the coming season.

The Czech Republic sharp shooter scored 34 times for the Herd last year, which was the best tally of his career so far and went on to collect 64 points.

He played a big part in bringing the league crown to Basingstoke and was voted onto the English Premier League All Star team.

The 27-year-old returns to take up the third year of his contract with club and will complete his studies at the University of Winchester this season.

This will be his fourth season in Bison uniform having joined from Telford in autumn 2013 and was part of the Herd's double winning team.

Bison head coach Doug Sheppard is delighted to have Karpov back for another season and said: "He did an amazing job for us last season and I am really pleased he is back for a fourth year. It will be a big year for him both on and off the ice as he finishes his studies."

The Bison will announce another signing to the Herd at 6am on Thursday on the Gazette website.