THE search for the new leader of the Herd is over as Basingstoke Bison announce Ashley Tait takes the role of player / head coach.

The Bison have been without a man at the helm since exiting head coach Doug Sheppard decided not to extend his contract with the club.

Tait also takes over the role of director of hockey at the club, assuming responsibility for all Bison hockey operations. 

In an illustrious playing career so far spanning more than 20 years, Tait has represented, amongst others, the Coventry Blaze, Nottingham Panthers, Sheffield Steelers, MK Lightning and Belfast Giants. 

He said: “This is a great opportunity for me and I'm excited at the challenge ahead. I am joining a professional organisation with a great loyal fan base and am excited at the prospect of building the team and club as a whole. As current NIHL champions we have a championship to defend."

As a player, Tait was the first player ever in the Elite League to reach 700 points and is one of only two players to reach 250 goals. 

He has also represented Great Britain in 115 fixtures, and is one of the organisation's most capped players in their history.

In a coaching capacity, he has experience of being a player/assistant coach at both the Steelers and Blaze.

However, this appointment as head of the Herd will be his first opportunity to demonstrate his abilities as a head coach.

On behalf of the Bison, John Neville said: “We are so pleased to welcome Ashley to the Bison - in him we have a head coach who has a vast amount of experience in the game and with a contact book that reads like a "who’s who" of British ice hockey”. 

"We spoke to many candidates but Ashley’s hunger to succeed and lead the Bison was apparent from the moment we first spoke, and in our conversations since then it's been clear how driven Ashley is to continue the success our fans have experienced in the last few years.

“He wants to build a team that the supporters will be proud of.”