WE HAVE all got lots of memories to take away from last week’s narrow win over Milton Keynes, a result that returns us to the top of the league.

We were all square at the end of regulation time and overtime, so the game was decided by penalty shots.

On to the ice skated Joe Rand, to open the scoring for Bison.

It just seemed like yet another pressure goal, like the one he had scored in Coventry when we won the play-offs. It was in fact a story-book ending for a hugely popular player.

What the fans didn’t know at the time was that he had decided to step away from his hockey career after this game to focus on his full-time employment.

Joe came to us from the Isle of Wight. He completed a business degree at the University of Winchester and found a job. His personal qualities were quickly recognised and this year he was offered a promotion which requires him to travel extensively in Europe during the week representing his firm.

In his work and as a sportsman Joe wants to give total commitment. As this season progressed it became clear that he needed to make a very difficult choice. As part of his farewell to the club, he wrote,” I would like to thank my teammates. You often hear the term “family” used when describing your teammates and there is no better word to describe that group of men for the Bison”.

You did your family proud, Joe, and we wish you every success in the future.

There’ll be a different dynamic to our team without Joe, but we are all excited by the arrival to the Bison family, Rene Jarolin.

Joe’s full farewell has been reprinted in this week’s Bison matchday programme.