HOME-TOWN boy Kurt Reynolds will be back for another season patrolling the Basingstoke Bison blue line after re-signing for the Herd this week.

The defenceman returns for a third year with the Herd, having played in the ill-fated last season in the Elite League and last term in the much more successful English Premier League side.

The 23-year-old former junior Great Britain international was an important member of the defensive core, and was sorely missed when he was ruled out for 11 games with a broken finger in late October.

Bison player/coach Steve Moria is thrilled to have Reynolds back in the fold for 2010-11.

Moria said: " He is a solid performer who skates well, has good energy, can read a situation well and can play physical. I am very pleased to have him back."

With Tony Redmond and Sam Oakford already signed in defence, the addition of Reynolds brings that key core area up to three.

Moria said: "I think defence is key to our success. At the moment, I am talking to a lot of last year's players, but I expect to have two or three new faces. As I look at the way the team is shaping up, I am very excited about the new season."

Talking about his return, Basingstoke-born Reynolds said: "I really enjoyed last year with the Bison and I am looking forward to winning some silverware for the fans who are so great in the town."

As happened last season, Bison fans have the chance to own Reynolds' match-worn jerseys for the season as part of the Own and Loan scheme, which is run by the club and proved to be a great success last season.

Each player's home and away jersey will be available at £150 for the home shirt and £120 for the away.

All owners and loaners will have their name printed on the back of the player's jersey, as well as having the opportunity of getting a photograph with their respective player at the end of the season.

Once a player signing is announced on the Bison website, the jerseys will become available on a first-come, first-served basis by e-mailing bison.info@planet-ice.co.uk.