8:50am Thursday 16th April 2009
By Graham Merry
STEVE Moria is even more excited at being the player/coach of the Basingstoke Bison second time around, after being appointed this week by team owners Planet Ice.
The Canadian was at the helm of the Herd for two seasons between 2002 and 2004, which included their best ever finish in the Elite League, and now will take charge for their first assault on English Premier League (EPL) honours.
Basingstoke were accepted into the EPL after agreement by all the clubs at their annual play-offs in Coventry last weekend.
Moria returns to Basingstoke in a multi-year deal as Director of Hockey Operations, with his prime role being player/coach of the Bison.
The goal-scoring machine re-joins the Herd after being named the EPL’s Player of the Year last season and guiding the Slough Jets to fourth place in league.
Moria is now ready to drive the Bison to success and is delighted with the appointment.
He said: “I am even more excitted this time around than when I first came to Basingstoke. This is fresh start and I know the last two years have been tough for the fans, but we want to be challenging for trophies. He added: “I believe I can put a team together that is capable of doing that and there has be a lot interest from players wanting to come to Basingstoke to play.
“The EPL is a good brand of hockey and I am sure the Bison fans will enjoy the intense local derbies with Bracknell, Guildford and Slough.”
Planet Ice’s Director of Group Operations John Neville is delighted to have brought Moria on board.
He said: “Steve (Moria) was the man I wanted for the job having worked with him in Blackburn.
“He is a true professional and will bring the stability that this club needs to move forward and prosper.”
Talking about the Bison’s acceptance into the EPL, Neville added: “We are grateful that all the teams in the EPL have accepted us into their family for the forthcoming season. We feel this is the right step for the Bison and now will look to build a team which will be a credit to the league, as well as the organisation.
“We have some of the best fans in the country and want them to enjoy success again. We will be looking to deliver a product on the ice, that the community and town of Basingstoke will be proud of.”
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