THE BASINGSTOKE Bison unveiled their first import signing and another British defenceman in a packed Basingstoke Arena bar at the club’s season ticket night.

The first member of the Herd’s foreign legion will be Richard Bordowski and the new defenceman is Chris Cooke.

Czech-born forward Bordowski is new to Britain and has had a lot of success in recent years in the Polish Leagues. Bison faithful will remember fans’ favourites, Ondrej Lauko and Viktor Kubenko who came from this league before joining the Herd.

In seven years in the Polish leagues, Bordowski played 283 games and returned 230 points scoring 110 times for JKH GKS Jastrzebie and Polonia Bytom.

The 36-year-old started his career with his home town team of HC Trinec in the Czech Republic and went on to play in the top flight in his homeland, which is one of the top leagues in the world.

Bison player/coach Ashley Tait talking about his first import signing said: “Richard is a hard working player, who can play either in the centre or on the wing. He has played with a number of players I know and he is a great fit for this team.”

New British blue liner Cooke is the fourth six foot plus defenceman to sign for the Herd this summer.

He played last season in Streatham and before this suited up for the Wightlink Raiders and his home town team the Guildford Flames.

Tait talking about signing Cooke said: “Chris is another piece to the jigsaw and adds more depth to our defence. He is a solid stay at home D man.”

Cooke is delighted to have joined the Bison and said: “It is great to be here and I have played with a number of the guys already. I am looking forward to the season and can’t wait for it to start.”