SLOVAK shot stopper Tomas Hiadlovsky is the latest re-signing for the Basingstoke Bison this summer.

The 27-year-old from Trecin made his Herd debut last season, having joined from the Elite League side the Edinburgh Capitals, where he had been their goalie for three seasons.

Hiadlovsky became the Bison’s first English Premier League import goalie, but was forced to sit out the middle of the campaign, after he suffered an injury in the last game in November.

His replacement Jon Baston went on to be named the All Star netminder for the EPL, but a fit again Hiadlovsky claimed back the starting goalie job with an inspired end to the season.

The pair played alternate games for six weeks and Hiadlovsky came out on top with a 93.3 save rate to Baston’s 88.8 and so played the final five games of the season.

Bison head coach Doug Sheppard is delighted to have his Slovak shot stopper back for another campaign and said “Tomas really showed what he could do when he came back into the line-up and battled back from two injuries to play again, which shows great character.”

“I am sure this being his second season in the EPL he will be more at home in this league. He is a goalie who likes to play the puck and I think our defencemen last season had to adapt to be an outlet for him, than having to defend for him.

The signing of Hiadlovsky means the Bison now have just one import slot to fill, with Sheppard is most likely to go with a defenceman, but he has not ruled out another forward.

Sheppard said: “I will sign whoever is the best fit for this team.”

Hiadlovsky will have a new back-up goalie as Dan Weller-Evans has joined the Wightlink Raiders and British forward Ryan Watt has also departed from the Herd.

The Bison are holding a season ticket evening tonight at the Basingstoke Arena, where they are expected to make more player announcements. The doors open tonight at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.