BASINGSTOKE Bison captain Aaron Connolly enjoyed a double success at the annual Basingstoke Bison awards evening, at the Hampshire Court Hotel.

The Basingstoke Gazette sponsored player won both the Herd’s Players’ Player trophy, as well as the Bison Supporters’ British Player of the Year.

Stuart Mogg’s first full season on the team as a defenceman , saw the Basingstoke-born player pick up Doug Sheppard’s Coach’s Player of the Year trophy.

Another Basingstoke bred player Daniel Lackey won the Most Improved Player of the Year accolade.

The Alan Parrott Outstanding Contribution Award was deservedly won by the Bison’s equipment manager Tony Skinns for his many dedicated years of service to the club.

In the Herd’s English Premier League Championship winning season, leading goal scorer Tomas Karpov won the Supporters Player of the Year.

Bison head coach Doug Sheppard was pleased with the winners and said: "With the great year we had there was a lot of players in the running to win the awards.

"Aaron is our captain and leads by example, so it was notsurprise he won two awards. Tomas was our top goal scorer so it was nice to see him win an award."

Talking about the top Basingstoke Brits Mogg and Lackey that won awards Sheppard said: "Stuart is a player who can play as best a defender and forward and that is a real asset to the team. He has had great season and deserved my award."

"Dan trained with us all year and then came into the line-up and did not look out of place."

Sheppard added: "Tony Skinns works so hard for the team behind the scenes so it was fitting he was awarded as the players really appreciate what he does for the Bison."

Three of the award winners Karpov, Mogg and Lackey will be in action in a special charity game between the Bison and Buffalo to be held at the Basingstoke Arena on Saturday April 30 (6.30pm).

The game will raise money for for chemo ward, Breast Care and chemogiftbags It will see a number of past Bison favourites will be returning in British quartet Dean Skinns. Neil Liddiard, Rob Lamey and Richard Hargreaves.

Also returning are former Bison imports from the Wightlink Jaroslav Cesky and Jeremy Cornish, along with Mark McCoy For more details see the Bison & Buffalo Hockey Hugs for Cancer Facebook page.