NEW Bison boss Doug Sheppard has wasted no time in showing that the Basingstoke Bison will be a force to be reckoned with in the English Premier League next season.

The new player/coach has secured the signatures of six players to the Herd and, with the addition of Sheppard himself, it adds up to a magnificent seven and a superb start to the Bison’s recruitment drive for the 2012-13 campaign.

The six top-quality Brits that have put pen to paper are Stevie Lyle, Greg Owen, Joe Greener, Joe Miller, Tony Redmond and Kurt Reynolds.

The first three played for the Bison before they joined the EPL, while the other three all return from last year’s Herd.

Netminder Lyle played for Cardiff Devils last season in the Elite League, helping them to the play-off final and recording a very impressive 90 per cent save rate in the top league in Britain.

Reading-based forward Owen is another who was playing in the Elite League with Coventry Blaze. He won the title in the first of three years with the Midlands outfit where he averaged over 20 goals a year.

Basingstoke-born Greener was with Sheppard at Slough last term and the feisty forward recorded his third 70-plus points tally for a season.

Adding even more firepower to what already looks like an awesome offensive unit will be Joe Miller – the Bison’s top goal-scorer from last term, who hit the net 30 times.

Tony Redmond, utility player and all-time top-scoring Brit with the club, returns for campaign number 14 and will be club captain, while stand-out defenceman and triple award-winner Kurt Reynolds is back for a fifth year with his home-town team.

Bison boss Sheppard, who is delighted with the way his side is shaping up, said: “I think this is a really great start, and I am over the moon with all the signings so far.

“Having Stevie (Lyle) in goal is going to be massive, as he will give us a chance to win every night. He is going to be one of the top goalies in this league.

“In Greg (Owen), we have one of the best British two-way centremen and Joe (Greener) is a premier power forward, and has been my linemate for the past two years.”

Talking about the returnees, Sheppard said: “In my opinion, Joe (Miller) was Basingstoke’s best forward, and he was my first signing.

“I had no hesitation in making Tony (Redmond) club captain, and he has a mission to lift trophies for this team. I have yet to decide if he will play defence or as a forward, which is a nice option to have. I have had my battles with Kurt (Reynolds), so I am pleased he is on my team. Without question, he is one of the top British defencemen.”