Former Vipers Forward Sheppard Will Return To Bisons Next Season:

The EIHL Basingstoke Bison have confirmed that former Vernon
Vipers forward Doug Sheppard will return as head coach for the Basingstoke Bison and will continue to play during the 2013-14 season.  Sheppard was named Bisons player-coach April 26th 2012.  Sheppard was the Head Coach of the EPL Slough Jets in 2011. Sheppard played one season in Vernon (1995-96) before attending Providence College. In 59 games with the Vipers Sheppard collected (38-65-103) as the teams second leader scorer. Sheppard scored the first ever goal in Vernon Vipers history. The Vernon Lakers changed their name to the Vernon Vipers in the summer of 1995. Sheppard scored the Vipers first ever goal on opening night of the 1995-96 season in a 5-3 victory over the hometown Trail Smoke Eaters.

Doug Sheppards Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=29968

This is posted on the Bisons website:

Bison confirm Sheppard to lead Herd for next Season

21st of March 2013

Doug Sheppard has confirmed that he will return as head coach for the Basingstoke Bison and will continue to play during the 2013-14 season.

With the Bison having now confirmed second place in the English Premier Ice Hockey league, their highest ever, Doug said;

“Although we didn’t reach our ultimate goal of a league title, I still feel we have achieved a great deal this year. I will be working closely with Bison Programme Director, John Neville, over the closed season to recruit a team capable of winning the league. ”

“By working together with our loyal group of volunteers, booster club committee and Planet Ice staff we have delivered improved crowds and have laid the foundations of a successful team and are looking to build a reputation not only for winning, but also for playing entertaining, competitive hockey” added Doug.

John Neville, Bison Programme Director remarked;
 “Second in the league is a great result but Doug and I won’t be satisfied until we’ve delivered a league title. Having built a strong relationship with Doug we are confident that we have the resources and abilities to deliver silverware to Basingstoke”

“Although it is the end of the season we still have winning the play-offs open to us. It would be a fantastic end to a great season if we could deliver the play-off trophy for the herd faithful”.

The Herd will also be releasing both next seasons matchday ticket prices and season ticket packages before the end of the current season with a great end of season offer for all supporters.

For all the latest news on the Herd, follow us on Twitter at @BisonHockey or view our website at www.bstokebison.co.uk