THE Basingstoke Bison have beefed up their blue line with the signing of hard hitting British blue liner Declan Balmer.

The 20-year-old will suit up for a third consecutive season for the Herd, where he enjoyed a career high with 28 points last term from all games, making him the top scoring Bison defenceman.

The Hull-born player scored seven times in the campaign and also picked up 92 minutes in penalties, which is due to his style of play and the fact he is not afraid to take the body.

A former Great Britain junior international he made his English Premier League debut with the Peterborough Phantoms in season 2012/13 before moving to the Herd in the autumn of 2014.

It brings the Bison defensive core up to three following the signing of fellow Brits Stuart Mogg and Kurt Reynolds.

Bison head coach Doug Sheppard is delighted with his latest re-signing and said: " Declan is a player with loads of potential and you forget how young he still is.

"For a big guy he skates well, moves the puck well and has a great shot. He is going to get even better this season and I am really pleased to have him back."