Basingstoke Bison
Encyclopedia
The Basingstoke Bison are an English Ice Hockey
club from Basingstoke
. They currently compete in the English Premier Ice Hockey League
and have previously been members of the Ice Hockey Superleague
and its successor the Elite Ice Hockey League
players would not sign for a club whose name is Canadian slang for a part of the female anatomy.
The "Beavers" became the "Bison" in 1995. Their team logo (see right) is very similar to that used by the Buffalo Sabres
from 1996-2006.
Joining the Superleague in 1996, the Bison dropped out in 1998 and joined the British National League
. In 2003 they joined the newly formed Elite Ice Hockey League
.
Despite being one of the lower budget teams in the EIHL, the Bison have maintained their fan base and greatly enhanced local sponsorships and doubled their season ticket sales.
This success is mainly testament to the hard work of Mark Bernard, who occupied the General Manager and Head Coach role with the club during the 2004/05 and 2005/06 seasons. Bernard also stepped into the Netminder's role part way through the latter season after Jayme Platt had left the team!
In May 2006, Bernard left the club to take up the Assistant General Managers post at American Hockey League
side the Norfolk Admirals
. Prior to his departure, Bernard secured the services of a number of the players that made up the 05/06 roster.
In June 2006, Planet Ice announced that the new player / coach of the club would be former club captain Doug Sheppard, with former Bison and London Racers
defenceman Duncan Dalmao
returning as player / assistant coach. Shepherd set about building his roster around the core that he had inherited from Bernard.
Bison embarked upon a successful year under Shepherd, securing their highest ever Elite League finish, and taking many points off the top sides in the League.
In April 2007, David Taylor, owner of Bracknell Bees
, purchased the Bison. He appointed Ryan Aldridge as the Head Coach of the team, signalling the end of Doug Shepherd's reign. Shepherd went on to join rivals Sheffield Steelers
.
Following financial problems, which had resulted in the departure of a number of players (including starting netminder Stevie Lyle), Taylor relinquished ownership of the Bison and the team's new owner was announced as Tomas Enerston by Planet Ice on November 8, 2007.
Less than a year later, following further financial difficulty, Planet Ice put together a rescue package to keep Bison on the ice until the end of the 2008/09 season.
On the 25th of March 2009, the Bison released a statement confirming that they will be joining the EPL for the 2009/10 season. Entry to the EPIHL was confirmed on 15 April 2009, and Steve Moria
took over as Head Coach the following day.
number 10 in 2005 following his initial retirement from ice hockey. In the 2005–06 season, Tony Redmond was honoured with a testimonial
season. In September 2009, it was announced that Don Yewchin, the original ice hockey coordinator for the Beavers in 1988 would have his number 12 jersey retired before Basingstoke's league game with local rivals Bracknell Bees on Saturday 10 October 2009. In a fantastic twist of fate, Basingstoke won the game 12-0
1991/92
1992/93
1993/94
1994/95
1998/99
1999/00
2000/01
2003/04
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
club from Basingstoke
Basingstoke
Basingstoke is a town in northeast Hampshire, in south central England. It lies across a valley at the source of the River Loddon. It is southwest of London, northeast of Southampton, southwest of Reading and northeast of the county town, Winchester. In 2008 it had an estimated population of...
. They currently compete in the English Premier Ice Hockey League
English Premier Ice Hockey League
The English Premier Ice Hockey League commonly abbreviated to EPIHL, or simply EPL, is a senior ice hockey league in England, and is run and administered by the English Ice Hockey Association...
and have previously been members of the Ice Hockey Superleague
Ice Hockey Superleague
The Ice Hockey Superleague was a professional ice hockey league in the United Kingdom between 1996 and 2003. Formed in 1995, it replaced the Premier Division of the British Hockey League, it was the highest level of ice hockey competition in the United Kingdom...
and its successor the Elite Ice Hockey League
Elite Ice Hockey League
Several competitions fall under the jurisdiction of the Elite League. In 2006–07, the EIHL ran a total of four competitions: the league, playoffs, Challenge Cup and Knockout Cup. The league consists of a single division, each team playing three home games and three away games against the other...
History
Formed in 1988 as the Basingstoke Beavers, the club soon became the butt of jokes when it was realised that CanadianCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
players would not sign for a club whose name is Canadian slang for a part of the female anatomy.
The "Beavers" became the "Bison" in 1995. Their team logo (see right) is very similar to that used by the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
from 1996-2006.
Joining the Superleague in 1996, the Bison dropped out in 1998 and joined the British National League
British National League
The British National League is a defunct second-level professional ice hockey league in the United Kingdom. Although no formal promotion and relegation existed during its period of existence, it was considered to have a standard below that of the Ice Hockey Superleague and above that of the...
. In 2003 they joined the newly formed Elite Ice Hockey League
Elite Ice Hockey League
Several competitions fall under the jurisdiction of the Elite League. In 2006–07, the EIHL ran a total of four competitions: the league, playoffs, Challenge Cup and Knockout Cup. The league consists of a single division, each team playing three home games and three away games against the other...
.
Despite being one of the lower budget teams in the EIHL, the Bison have maintained their fan base and greatly enhanced local sponsorships and doubled their season ticket sales.
This success is mainly testament to the hard work of Mark Bernard, who occupied the General Manager and Head Coach role with the club during the 2004/05 and 2005/06 seasons. Bernard also stepped into the Netminder's role part way through the latter season after Jayme Platt had left the team!
In May 2006, Bernard left the club to take up the Assistant General Managers post at American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
side the Norfolk Admirals
Norfolk Admirals
The Norfolk Admirals are a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Admirals play in Norfolk, Virginia, at the Norfolk Scope.-History:...
. Prior to his departure, Bernard secured the services of a number of the players that made up the 05/06 roster.
In June 2006, Planet Ice announced that the new player / coach of the club would be former club captain Doug Sheppard, with former Bison and London Racers
London Racers
The London Racers was a British ice hockey club based in London, England formerly members of the Elite Ice Hockey League. Although founded in 2003, it claimed to be a successor of the Harringay Racers club established in 1936. Due to a lack of suitable ice facility the club suspended its team...
defenceman Duncan Dalmao
Duncan Dalmao
Duncan Dalmao is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player.Prior to turning professional, Dalmao played major junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League.-Awards and honours:-External links:...
returning as player / assistant coach. Shepherd set about building his roster around the core that he had inherited from Bernard.
Bison embarked upon a successful year under Shepherd, securing their highest ever Elite League finish, and taking many points off the top sides in the League.
In April 2007, David Taylor, owner of Bracknell Bees
Bracknell Bees
The Bracknell Bees are an ice hockey team from Bracknell, Berkshire, UK.-Early years:The Bracknell Bees were formed in 1987, under the ownership of John Nike OBE. Bees began life in the Heineken League Division Two, under the leadership of former Durham Wasps and Nottingham Panthers forward, Jamie...
, purchased the Bison. He appointed Ryan Aldridge as the Head Coach of the team, signalling the end of Doug Shepherd's reign. Shepherd went on to join rivals Sheffield Steelers
Sheffield Steelers
The Sheffield Steelers are a British ice hockey club, from Sheffield, England. They were formed in 1991 and play their home games at the Sheffield Arena. They are currently members of the Elite Ice Hockey League...
.
Following financial problems, which had resulted in the departure of a number of players (including starting netminder Stevie Lyle), Taylor relinquished ownership of the Bison and the team's new owner was announced as Tomas Enerston by Planet Ice on November 8, 2007.
Less than a year later, following further financial difficulty, Planet Ice put together a rescue package to keep Bison on the ice until the end of the 2008/09 season.
On the 25th of March 2009, the Bison released a statement confirming that they will be joining the EPL for the 2009/10 season. Entry to the EPIHL was confirmed on 15 April 2009, and Steve Moria
Steve Moria
Steve Moria is a British-Canadian professional ice hockey player. He was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada...
took over as Head Coach the following day.
Club Roster 09/10
| Goaltenders | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | |Player | Catches | Acquired | Place of Birth | |
| 47 |  |
Davey Lawrence | L | 2009 | Barnsley Barnsley Barnsley is a town in South Yorkshire, England. It lies on the River Dearne, north of the city of Sheffield, south of Leeds and west of Doncaster. Barnsley is surrounded by several smaller settlements which together form the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley, of which Barnsley is the largest and... , England England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental... |
| 95 | |
Tom Annetts | L | 2009 | Reading Reading, Berkshire Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London.... , England England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental... |
| Defencemen | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | |Player | Shoots | Acquired | Place of Birth | |
| 03 | TBC | Viktor Kubenko | TBC | 2010 | Zvolen Zvolen Zvolen |Slatina]] rivers, close to Banská Bystrica. With its ancient castle, the town has a historical center, which represents the seat of an okres .-History:... , Slovakia Slovakia The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south... |
| 4 | |
Sam Zajac | R | 2009 | Whitley Whitley -Places:United Kingdom*Whitley Bay, town in Tyne and Wear *Whitley, Berkshire, suburb of Reading*Whitley, Cheshire, village near Warrington*Whitley, Coventry, suburb of Coventry... , England England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental... |
| 7 | |
Kurt Reynolds | L | 2008 | Basingstoke Basingstoke Basingstoke is a town in northeast Hampshire, in south central England. It lies across a valley at the source of the River Loddon. It is southwest of London, northeast of Southampton, southwest of Reading and northeast of the county town, Winchester. In 2008 it had an estimated population of... , England England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental... |
| 20 | |
Tony Redmond | R | 2009 | Scotland Scotland Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the... |
| 21 | |
Sam Oakford | R | 2009 | Kingston upon Hull Kingston upon Hull Kingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of... , England England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental... |
| 33 | Mindaugas Kieras | R | 2009 | Vilnius Vilnius Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, and its largest city, with a population of 560,190 as of 2010. It is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality and of the Vilnius district municipality. It is also the capital of Vilnius County... , Lithuania Lithuania Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark... |
| Forwards | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | |Player | Shoots | Acquired | Place of Birth | |
| 5 | |
Jamie Line | R | 2009 | Luton Luton Luton is a large town and unitary authority of Bedfordshire, England, 30 miles north of London. Luton and its near neighbours, Dunstable and Houghton Regis, form the Luton/Dunstable Urban Area with a population of about 250,000.... , England England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental... |
| 9 |  |
Joe Ciccarello | R | 2009 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada Canada Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean... |
| 13 | |
Shaun Thompson | R | 2010 | Slough Slough Slough is a borough and unitary authority within the ceremonial county of Royal Berkshire, England. The town straddles the A4 Bath Road and the Great Western Main Line, west of central London... , England England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental... |
| 16 | |
Andy Hemmings | R | 2008 | Guildford Guildford Guildford is the county town of Surrey. England, as well as the seat for the borough of Guildford and the administrative headquarters of the South East England region... , England England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental... |
| 19 | |
Steve Moria | L | 2009 | Vancouver Vancouver Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,... , B.C. British Columbia British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858... , Canada Canada Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean... |
| 27 | |
Nicky Chinn | R | 2009 | Cardiff Cardiff Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for... , Wales Wales Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²... |
| 28 | |
Chris Wiggins | R | 2009 | Guildford Guildford Guildford is the county town of Surrey. England, as well as the seat for the borough of Guildford and the administrative headquarters of the South East England region... , England England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental... |
| 44 | |
Scott Spearing | L | 2009 | Swindon Swindon Swindon is a large town within the borough of Swindon and ceremonial county of Wiltshire, in South West England. It is midway between Bristol, west and Reading, east. London is east... , England England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental... |
| 67 |  |
Ondrej Lauko | L | 2009 | Topolcany, Slovakia Slovakia The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south... |
| 71 | |
Tom Long | R | 2009 | Colchester Colchester Colchester is an historic town and the largest settlement within the borough of Colchester in Essex, England.At the time of the census in 2001, it had a population of 104,390. However, the population is rapidly increasing, and has been named as one of Britain's fastest growing towns. As the... , England England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental... |
| 91 | Oliver Brönnimann | R | 2008 | Fribourg Fribourg Fribourg is the capital of the Swiss canton of Fribourg and the district of Sarine. It is located on both sides of the river Saane/Sarine, on the Swiss plateau, and is an important economic, administrative and educational center on the cultural border between German and French Switzerland... , Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition.... |
|
Honoured members
Basingstoke have only retired the number of one player, that being Kevin Conway'sKevin Conway (ice hockey)
Kevin Scott Conway is a Canadian ice hockey player who has played mainly in the United Kingdom. He is a member of the British Ice Hockey Hall of Fame.-Junior:...
number 10 in 2005 following his initial retirement from ice hockey. In the 2005–06 season, Tony Redmond was honoured with a testimonial
Testimonial
In promotion and of advertising, a testimonial or show consists of a written or spoken statement, sometimes from a person figure, sometimes from a private citizen, extolling the virtue of some product. The term "testimonial" most commonly applies to the sales-pitches attributed to ordinary...
season. In September 2009, it was announced that Don Yewchin, the original ice hockey coordinator for the Beavers in 1988 would have his number 12 jersey retired before Basingstoke's league game with local rivals Bracknell Bees on Saturday 10 October 2009. In a fantastic twist of fate, Basingstoke won the game 12-0
Team Honours
1989/89- Champions - English Div 1 Promotion Play-offs
1991/92
- Winners - Southern Cup
1992/93
- Champions - Heineken Division One
- Champions - Heineken Div 1 Promomtion Play-offs
- Runners-up - Southern Cup
1993/94
- Runners-up - Southern Cup
1994/95
- Runners-up - Southern Cup
1998/99
- Runners-up - British National Ice Hockey League
- Runners-up - Christmas Cup
1999/00
- Winners - B & H Plate
- Runners-up - ntl: Christmas Cup
- Runners-up - BNL Play-off Championships
2000/01
- Winners - B & H Plate
- Runners-up - Findus British National Ice Hockey League
- Runners-up - FBNL Play-off Championships
2003/04
- EIHL First Team All Star - Curtis Cruickshank
Past Head Coaches
- Doug Sheppard - 2006-2007 - Player / Head Coach
- Mark Bernard - 2004-2006 - Player / Head Coach / General Manager
- Steve Moria - 2002-2004 - Player / Head Coach
- Charlie Colon - 2000-2002 - Head Coach
- Rick Strachan - 1999-2000 - Player / Head Coach
- Don Depoe - 1998-1999 - Head Coach
Past Players
- Ryan Aldridge
- Chris Anderson
- Darcy AndersonDarcy AndersonDarcy Anderson is a Canadian professional inline hockey player, currently playing for the South Carolina Pirates in the PIHA. Anderson has played most of his career in ice hockey however.-Career:...
- Joe Baird
- Kevin Bergin
- Mark Bernard
- Edijs Brahmanis
- Steve Briere
- Derek CampbellDerek CampbellDerek Campbell is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, currently playing for the Hull Stingrays in the EIHL.- Career :...
- Peter Campbell
- Adam Copeland
- Brad CruikshankBrad CruikshankBrad Cruikshank is a Canadian ice hockey winger currently playing for the Coventry Blaze of the Elite Ice Hockey League- Career :...
- Duncan Dalmao
- Mark DeSantis
- Jeff Ewasko
- Alec Field
- James Galazzi
- Mark Galazzi
- Steve Gallace
- Jerry Galway
- Jason GouletJason GouletJason Goulet is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Arizona Sundogs of the Central Hockey League.- Career :...
- Jason HewittJason HewittJason Hewitt is an English professional ice hockey player, currently playing for the Sheffield Steelers in the EIHL...
- Steve Howliston
- Mark Jackson
- Wes JarvisWes JarvisWesley Herbert Jarvis is a former Canadian ice hockey player, and is a cousin of former NHLer Doug Jarvis.-Hockey career:...
- Slava Koulikov
- David KozierDavid KozierDavid Kozier is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Kozier first played at junior level for the Prince George Spruce Kings in his native British Columbia...
- Brett Larson
- Jozef Lukac
- Shawn Maltby
- Blair Manning
- Ross McDougall
- J.J. McGrath
- Dean MelansonDean MelansonDean Clement Melanson is a former National Hockey League defenceman.-Playing career:He was drafted in the fourth round, 80th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft....
- Matt Miller
- Ben O'Connor
- Ryan O'Keefe
- Dwight ParrishDwight ParrishDwight Parrish is a retired American professional ice hockey player.- North American career :Parrish began his career playing at NCAA level for Ferris State University in his home state of Michigan...
- Curtiss PatrickCurtiss PatrickCurtiss Patrick is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman.-Career:Curtiss has appeared in 172 games in the ECHL for the Wheeling Nailers and 11 games in the AHL, ten for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and one for the Springfield Falcons, posting 8 goals, 19 assists, and 516...
- Kyle Peto
- Jayme PlattJayme PlattJayme Platt is an American ice hockey goaltender, currently without a team after being released by the Danbury Trashers in 2006.- Career :...
- Brent PopeBrent PopeBrent Pope is a retired ice hockey player, and current General Manager of the Cardiff Devils in Cardiff, Wales.-Coaching career:Pope also coaches the Cardiff Devils development programme squad, helped out by current Devils players....
- Mikko Purontakanen
- Reggie Stringer
- Pavol Rieciciar
- Tony Redmond
- Mark Richardson
- Robert Schistad
- Jim Shepherd
- Doug Sheppard
- Steve ThorntonSteve ThorntonSteve Thornton is a Canadian ice hockey player.- Career :Apart from playing junior hockey with the Gloucester Rangers, college hockey with Boston University and one season in the International Hockey League with the Peoria Rivermen, Thornton's career has been played in Europe...
- Ron Vogel
- David VychodilDavid VychodilDavid Vychodil is a Czech professional ice hockey player, currently playing for Gazovik Tyumen in the Vysshaya Liga in Russia.- Career :...
- Stephen Wall
- John Wheaton
- Joe White