Bees general manager Ben Beeching and his team have been working tirelessly during the off-season to boost the club’s revenue streams.

Berkshire Media Group, owners of the News, are among the club’s official media partners and Beeching believes the future is bright for the Bees.

He told the News: “The summer has been a really successful one in terms of agreeing some exciting new commercial deals and fresh partnerships with local media and businesses.

“I’m also excited to be working with Ascot Lawyers Foundation to streamline the club’s charitable work into the good causes that it supports.

“We want to make the club sustainable and a fixture in the local community. We feel we’ve made massive strides towards that this summer.” And he added: “On the ice, we are also really happy with the team we have put together.

“We have a great bunch of guys who put it all on the line for the team. Under the expert guidance of Lukas Smital, this season will also be a really fun one for our supporters to watch.” Bees made another signing recently when 18-year-old defenceman Jordan Gregory put pen to paper on a deal for the 2014-15 season.

The highly-rated youngster split his ice-time between Bracknell Hornets and the first team last season, amassing 2+7 and 44 PIMs in the process.

Beeching added: “Jordan did a good job when called upon last season, and he served his apprenticeship well with the Hornets.

“Jordan is yet another example of the successful junior programme we have in Bracknell and I look forward to seeing him continue his development with the Bees under Lukas Smital’s leadership.” Gregory adds even greater depth to a Bees blueline already featuring imports Jan Bendik and Pavel Strycek as well as British trio Lewis Turner, Sam Waller and Harvey Stead.

Head coach Smital declared: “Jordan has a lot of promise, and I’m looking forward to seeing him work hard to cement himself in the Bees set-up.” Meanwhile, Bees return to the ice with a double-header pre-season clash against Swindon Wildcats.

Bees travel to Swindon this Saturday (5.45pm fo) before hosting the Wildcats at The Hive this Sunday (6pm fo).

A supporters’ coach will be travelling to Swindon for the first leg of the M4 challenge and spaces can be reserved by visiting www.bracknellbees.co.uk.

Smital’s men launch their English Premier League Ice Hockey campaign a week later when they host Manchester Phoenix on September 13 before hosting Telford Tigers the following day.