Smith, Lock and Hayman join Bristol Pitbulls

Bristol Pitbulls ice hockey team have added three more names to their ranks.

Mike Smith, 32, from Kingswood, 21-year-old Joe Lock, from Yate and Sammy Hayman, 20, from Swansea are the latest recruits.

The new signings will warm up on the ice for the Pitbulls' assault on the English National Ice Hockey League Division Two title with a friendly double-header against Oxford Stars on August 29, in Bristol, and August 30 in Oxford.

Smith, a 32-year-old forward, grew up on the ice in Bristol before being forced to leave when he outgrew the youth set-up.

After more than a decade playing his ice hockey with Oxford City Stars and Swindon Wildcats in their various guises and name changes, the 6ft, 15 stone Smith has returned to Bristol.

"I am probably going to be the oldest guy on the team, which will be a bit strange, but hopefully my experience on and off the ice can help the team out," said Smith. "I like to play pranks in the locker room, so hopefully that will bring some of the quiet kids out of their shell a bit and boost the team's morale."

Pitbulls supremo Richie Hargreaves, who played with Smith 14 years ago in Bristol, said: "This is a huge signing for us. Mike has a wealth of experience and is a proven goalscorer.

"He is one of only a few members in our team who has played at a higher level, so I'm looking for him to be a leader."

Lock is a 5ft 11ins, 220lbs defender not averse to going forward and showing off his strong shot, while Hayman has been top goalscorer for Cardiff Redhawks for the past two years.

"Sammy brings a huge presence on the ice," said Hargreaves.

"He's nicknamed 'Buffalo', is surprisingly quick for his size, likes to finish his hits and loves to score."