THE BASINGSTOKE Bison have signed a new player this week, and released another - Finnish forward Markku Takala.

American Doug Schueller will fill the vacant defenceman spot left by Chris Slater.

The 26-year-old from Minnesota will make his Wella Bison debut just as soon as his work permit is cleared.

This season he has been playing in the East Coast Hockey League, starting the campaign with the Pensacola Ice Pilots, before being traded to Greenville Grrrowl, where he was assistant captain.

Bison player/coach Steve Moria said: "He is a strong defenceman who is not afraid to hit. I have heard good things about him."

Head coach of the Grrrowl, John Marks, said on the team's website: "Doug quickly became a solid player and leader for us, and I know that he will be a tremendous asset to his new team."

Talking about Takala's departure, Moria said: "He is the first to admit he has not been as successful in Basingstoke with his goal scoring as he would have liked. He will now return to Norway where he will look to rediscover his goal-scoring touch."

Moria has already made moves for a replacement by making an offer to former Bison Darren Hurley, who was released by the Mike Ellis-coached Bracknell Bees on Monday.

Up until this season, the Canadian forward had always played in the top flight in Britain since first arriving in 1996 to play for the Bison.