CAPTAIN Fantastic Aaron Connolly of the Basingstoke Bison was a worthy winner of the Basingstoke Gazette Sports Personality of the Year award.

The British forward won the readers’ vote this year and it is easy to see why he won the award as he leads by example and is the club’s leading British goalscorer this season.

Connolly said: “I am shocked to have won this and very pleased as it was not expected.

“I must thank everyone who took the time to vote for me and it helps that the Bison are the best supported team in the town.”

The 24-year-old first laced up his skates for the Herd in season 2013/14 and soon became a fans’ favourite.

He took over the captaincy of the Herd in their last league championship winning season.

He added: “ It is nice to win personal awards, but ice hockey is a team sport and now it would be nice to add some trophies into the Bison trophy cabinet.

“We are in a good position in the league and are also in the Autumn Cup final.”

The British forward celebrated the award on Friday with the opening goal in the Bison’s 4-0 win over Swindon, and then netted his second hat-trick of the campaign as the Herd stung the Bracknell Bees.

Last year’s winner Basingstoke Town striker Sam Argent came second.