Bristol Pitbulls have completed two more signatures to aid their assault on the English National Ice Hockey League.

Paul 'Sakic' Davies and Luke 'Flipper' Merrick, both 22, have joined the Pitbulls' quest to take the ENL Division Two title at the first time of asking.

Davies, who lives in Bristol city centre, and Merrick, who lives in Downend, both come from roller-hockey backgrounds and are now looking to step up their fledgling careers on the ice.

"I'm glad to have got both Flipper and Sakic on board," said coach and owner Richard Hargreaves.

"I'm lucky to have players that can be called upon in any type of game and these two bring that.

"They can both play with an edge to their game and can both play a skilled game, too."

The two versatile young forwards have been earmarked as players for the future by Hargreaves, as well as providing valuable cover this season.

"When I look at players I sign, I'm not just building for now, I'm building for the next five years," said Hargreaves.

"You need a good mix of youth as well as experience otherwise it would be a jumble-sale each year.

"Paul and Luke are good players now, so with time on their side they can only get better.

"Hockey is won with your third line, so to have the depth and the luxury of having three solid lines when most teams have just two will be hard to stop."

Merrick started his hockey career on rollerskates with the Bristol Knights before joining Bristol Junior Ice Hockey Club.

When the age-groups ran out he returned to roller hockey with Swindon Panthers then Cardiff Titans.

"I've never played this level of hockey before," he said. "So I will have to work hard to fit in. But I will take advantage of the opportunity (the manager) has given me to better my hockey."

Davies also made his name in roller hockey before joining the Bristol Warriors Rec ice hockey team and will juggle his training for the Pitbulls with his work as a trainee civil engineer.