THE BASINGSTOKE Bison have added even more steel to their defence with the signing of one of the brightest prospects in the British game, Zach Sullivan.

The 17-year-old stay at home defenceman enjoyed a great first season in the English Premier League last year with the Slough and now joins fellow former Jets Alex Symonds and new Bison player/coach Doug Sheppard at the Herd.

Sullivan who hails from Redhill, learnt his hockey in Kent playing for Invicta, before last year moving up to play for Slough where he certainly impressed, playing beyond his years.

He has a cool head and turned in some excellent performances against the Herd.

Bison boss Sheppard said: “He is a real prospect and someone I expect to play at a higher level in the future.

“He is so smart on the puck and always makes the right decisions with the pass out of the zone. He may be young, but he has the ability to play at this level and I am really pleased to have him on board again this season.”

Sullivan is looking forward to playing for the Bison and said: “Doug is putting together a good team. I am taking a year out before deciding if I am going to university so I can concentrate on my hockey.”

The teenager played for both Great Britain under-18 and under-20 and is looking forward to playing for the under-20s again this December when they travel to Ukraine.

Sullivan said: “It is always an honour to pull on a national jersey and I hope to do that again this season.”

One Bison player not returning is import Marcel Petran, who has linked up with former Herd players Sam Oakford and Ollie Bronnimann at Bracknell.