After a weekend where he scored four goals and assisted on two others, plus a winning penalty shot, Mobilx Vipers American forward Jason Tejchma has been named the Elite League Player of the Week.

Tejchma was one of the now-famous "Viper Eleven" in Sunday's come-from-behind win in Belfast, but has been in great form lately, and bagged his 23rd goal of the season on Sunday, after a hat-trick the previous night in a 5-4 overtime loss to Edinburgh.

In addition to playing for the Vipers, Tejchma is studying at Northumbria University on an MBA, after he graduated from UMass Lowell in 2007.

Vipers coach Rob Wilson said: "Jason deserves this award, he has been performing at a consistently high level all season, but in recent weeks particularly when we have been short of bodies he has stepped up and has been outstanding.

"On Sunday he was double shifting on the forward lines, and even spent some time on defence when we lost [Mark] Gouett for a spell.  His winning penalty was a sweet finish, and a great end to the weekend."

Tejchma will have two new team-mates in the lineup on Saturday when the Vipers host Coventry Blaze at Whitley Bay (6.30pm).  Brent Hughes and Ryan Jorde signed up yesterday, and will be in the UK later this week.

Tickets are on sale from the club shop in Shakespeare Street, by telephone 0191 2610909 or online at www.vipershockey.co.uk.