1:00pm Monday 7th June 2010
By Graham Merry
BASINGSTOKE Bison have added some more British firepower to their line-up in the form of Ollie Bronnimann and Callum Best, hot on the heels of signing top goal scorer Ondrej Lauko.
British hotshot Bronnimann was the Herd’s leading scoring Brit last season, hitting the net 26 times in a points total of 43 in his first year in Basingstoke.
The 23-year-old Margate-born player was the only Brit to score a league hat-trick and also netted the winning penalty shot in the famous home shoot-out victory over Milton Keynes.
He will be another important member of the Bison offence unit and player/coach Steve Moria said: “Ollie is another skilful player and was probably our most natural goal scorer on the team last season after Ondrej. He is a great talent and I feel there is still more to come.”
New to the team for next season is junior Great Britain international Best, who hails from Guildford where he learnt his hockey.
Last season the 18-year-old had a split year between Slough and Bracknell and ended the campaign with eight points, which included six goals.
One of them came against the Bison on home ice for the Bees in the final meeting between the teams in the league season.
Talking about his latest new addition to the squad, Moria said: “Callum is a young guy who just needs an opportunity. He did well in Bracknell and I think he is one for the future.”
The Gazette also caught up with Lauko and he had this to say about his return to Basingstoke.
“I am really glad I am coming back to wear the Bison jersey for this season. I had a couple of offers from clubs in England and from other countries, but I have decided to stay.
“The Bison fans were great last season, they really love their hockey and they are the best fans in England. I was so proud to get my award for the Supporters Player of the Year; I really appreciated it.”
When asked it he thought he could score as many goals again, Lauko said: “I will try and do the same again this season.”
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