RUGGED defenceman Brendan Baird is the latest re-signing for the Basingstoke Bison for their forthcoming campaign.

The 26-year-old from Southampton is back for his second straight year and what is a third in total for the team, having first suited up with them in season 2014/15.

After his first spell with the Bison, he went onto play for the Wightlink Raiders, Oxford, Streatham and then the Bracknell Bees.

READ MORE: Petts is back for the Bison

Last season with the Herd, he returned 23 points with the bulk coming from 21 assists, which put him third in the D men scoring behind Adam Jones and Liam Morris.

Bison head coach Ashley Tait is really pleased to have Baird back for another campaign and said: “He did a great job for us last year playing through a number of niggling injuries.

“He is someone who gets on with his job and goes unnoticed, but you realise his worth to the team when he is not there.

“I am looking for him to continue to make it difficult for opponents to play in his end of the rink.”

The return of Baird means the defensive core is now up to five following the already announced blue liners Adam Jones, Liam Morris, Tom Banner and Josh Kelly.

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One player not returning is Canadian import Alex Roberts who has signed for the new boys, the Bristol Pitbulls.

This will mean he will have a quick return to Basingstoke as these sides face each other in a pre-season series on the weekend of September 10/11, with the home game in Hampshire on the Saturday.

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