BASINGSTOKE Bison have bolstered their defence with the signing of experienced defenceman Ricky Skene.

The 32-year-old Chicago-born blue liner is no stranger to Basingstoke, having played for the Herd in the Elite League in season 2004/05 and the English Premier League in 2010/11.

However, most of the stay-at-home defenceman’s career has been with the Guildford Flames, where he won three league titles. He was with them last season, before taking a break from the game.

With Matt Selby still out injured and with two of the Bison defensive core set to be away on Great Britain under-20s duty in early December, his addition has come at the right time.

Skene slots straight into the line-up for Basingstoke’s double header home weekend.

Bison player/coach Doug Sheppard said: “Ricky is coming in as injury cover and to help us out when the guys are away with Great Britain under-20s.

“I think he is the perfect fit and is a player I have played with and against, so I know what he is all about.”

This weekend, the Bison face unbeaten National Ice Hockey League South leaders Chelmsford Chieftains on Saturday (face-off 6.30pm).

The following night, another side from the same league, Wightlink Tigers make the trip to the Basingstoke Arena with an earlier face-off time of 5.30pm.

Both matches are part of the Bison season ticket package and will see the Herd add a few players from the Basingstoke Buffalo. They are only allowed to ice a maximum of two imports for both games, as this is the limit in the NIHL.

Chelmsford are coached by former Bison fans’ favourite Dwayne Newman and have ex-Milton Keynes import defenceman Lukas Zatopek in their line-up.

Earlier in the season, the Herd won 5-1 in Essex, but Bison boss Sheppard said: “It was certainly not a 5-1 game and we have to treat both teams this weekend with respect. If not, we are going to end up on the wrong end of the result.”

So far this season, only one NIHL team, Invicta, have managed to take an EPL scalp, beating Bracknell in Kent.

On Sunday, Wightlink arrive in town with a whole host of former Bison players in their line-up, including player/coach Jeremy Cornish and fellow import Jaroslav Cesky.

Also on the team are Matt Colclough, Craig Tribe and Carl Graham, a Bison double winner from last season.

Adding even more spice to the game is the fact that current Herdmen Joe Rand, Grant Rounding and Dan Weller-Evans all have played on the island, with Weller-Evans there last season.

Sheppard said: “There are certainly a number of guys who have played for both sides, and I am sure this is going to make it a great game.”