THIS weekend we take a break from the league and have two cup games, both at home, against Chelmsford Chieftains and Wightlink Raiders.

Due to the rules of the competition, EPL player/coaches are unable to play and we will also rest another import to make the teams even.

This is a great opportunity for me to watch from the bench and of course, a lot of our young guys will be getting a lot more ice time this weekend in these games.

We will also be calling up some players from the Buffalo and they have done well for us so far this season.

Sunday’s game will also give me a chance to see Wightlink’s Simon Hobbis in action.

The young defenceman is on a two-way deal with the Bison. As a club, we have a good working relationship with Jeremy Cornish at Wightlink in taking players to the next level.

I am also looking to give netminder Dan Weller-Evans some minutes during the weekend, as he has been training hard and he deserves his chance.

We have a lot of players on the team who have come through the Basingstoke junior programme and we have a good relationship with the Buffalo and junior section at the club, which can only benefit everyone in the future.

I know the fans enjoy seeing the young local players in action, cheering them on and hoping they do well. The guys on the bench also like to see this and it creates a great buzz around the rink, which I am sure we will have in both games this weekend.

It is always nice to see the young players do well and three of the Bison, Matt Selby, Declan Balmer and Cameron Wynn, will be away with Great Britain under-20s in the World Championships in early December.

With two of them being defencemen, we will be a little light, so I have signed another British defenceman in Rick Skene and he will be in the line-up this weekend.

All the best,

Doug