Nottingham Panthers have confirmed the signing of American netminder Shane Madolora on an initial short-term contract.

The 28-year-old has previous ECHL and CHL experience and most recently has been playing in France and Italy.

This season he helped HC Valpellice Bulldogs win the Italian Cup, adding to the numerous university championships on his CV.

Panthers’ Head Coach Corey Neilson said: “We’ve been looking to help our netminding duo in recent times.

“The holiday period, hockey authority closures and flights were problematical to say the least, but now things have come together and Shane is coming in to help us and we’re all pleased to have him.

“It means Miika (Wiikman) can concentrate on getting fit and take no risks and Dan (Green) can get back to what he does best, backing up and being there when we need him.

“We’ve got a host of big games coming up and having this kind of cover could prove vital. Imagine where we’d be if something happened to Dan as well as Miika.”

Madolora is expected to make his Elite League debut at Cardiff Devils on Saturday.