Basingstoke Bison have signed forward Rene Jarolin following his departure from EPL rivals MK Lightning.

The Slovakian replaces Canadian forward Joe Rand who is taking a step back from the sport due to work commitments.

Jarolin spent three of the four previous years with Edinburgh Capitals in the Elite League, notching 104 goals and 98 assists in 169 games. He finished top scorer in the league in 2011/12.

This season he scored 5 goals and 17 assists in 20 games for MK, but was released last week after Lightning boss Pete Russell decided to make changes.

Bison Head Coach Doug Sheppard said: “He brings a different dynamic to the team and will certainly add some firepower. He has put up good numbers everywhere he has played and I see no reason why he will not for the Bison with all the excellent forwards we have at the club.”

Jarolin will make his Bison debut at home to Hull Pirates on Saturday.

(Image permission: Tony Sargent)