The 26-year-old joins the Bees from local rivals the Guildford Flames for the 2015/16 English Premier Ice Hockey league campaign.

Savage spent 13 seasons at Guildford after joining their youth set-up in 2003/04. He represented Guildford Firestars (U16) and Guildford Phoenix (U18) before making his Guildford Flames debut in the old British National League in 2004/05.

Savage has a wealth of experience at the EPIHL level, winning four league championships, three cup championships and one play-off championship in his career as well as being voted to the league’s All Star Team in 2011/12.

In nearly 450 EPIHL games he has more than 100 goals and more than 250 points to his name and last season had 12 goals and 15 assists in 50 games with only 24 minutes of penalties for the second-placed Flames.

Before heading to Guildford he had played in the Invicta junior setup at U16, U19 and ENIHL level.

The defenceman has also represented Team GB at U18 and U20 level in three World Championship tournaments in 2004/05, 2006/07 and 2007/08, picking up a bronze medal in Division 1B in 2007/08.

Bees player/coach Lukas Smital said: “I am very happy that we have secured the signature of such a great addition to our defensive corps. The wealth of experience that David boasts at still such a young age will bring a lot to the squad and he will be a key factor within our defence. Having played with him in Guildford I have always been very impressed with his game and style.

“He is a strong player with a good defensive mind and good shot and someone I am glad to have added to the Bees ranks for the forthcoming season.” Bees general manager Ben Beeching added: “I have always been a big fan of David’s game during his time at Guildford, and his mix of solid defence and a fast two-way puck transition make him the ideal addition for our fast-paced style of hockey.

“He also seems like a good guy who will fit well within the ethos of the club in an environment that will allow his talents to prosper.

“In my view his signing gives the Bees one of the best British defencemen in the league in the prime of his career, and will send a message to the rest of the league that Bracknell mean business.” The Bees have also re-secured the signature of key defenceman Lewis Turner for the upcoming season.

The 22-year-old will play his fifth successive season with 190 games for the club already racked up. He was an almost ever-present last campaign, missing only one game all season and picking up three goals, five assists and 74 penalty minutes along the way. His solid, no nonsense defensive game coupled with an impressive ability to push forward caught the eye of the Cardiff Devils of the Elite Ice Hockey League, where he also played twice last season on a two-way agreement.

Turner started his junior career with the Guildford organisation for a little more than three seasons before making the move to Bracknell to join the U18 Drones in 2009. Three seasons were spent with the Bracknell Drones and Hornets before he joined the Bees, where he has become a popular, solid defenceman since he joined the senior squad in 2011.

He was also voted the Most Improved Player of the Season for 2012/13 by the fans in the annual Supporters Club End of Season awards in the same season that he also represented Team GB U20’s in the World Junior Championships Div1B.

He was named Best Defenceman at the Supporters Club end of season awards this term.

Delighted Head Coach Smital said: “Lewis is a young and exciting talent who I am very happy to have secured the services of for the upcoming campaign. He has learnt a lot in recent seasons and has developed very well into a top British defenceman.

“His hard work and passion is there for everyone to see but he is also keen to learn at every opportunity and is always striving to improve his game where he can. These are the kind of players that, as a coach, you want to work with and with his desire I’m sure he will bring even more this coming season.” Beeching added: “I felt Lewis really grew in stature and confidence last season. He demonstrated a lot of poise in his game, and he has a good mix of defensive nous and also an ability to transition the attack. With our injuries and shortage of bodies later in the season he also got some good experience of special teams which will help his development no end.” He continued: “With this experience under his belt at such a young age, he is a key re-signing for us and will, with a multi-year contract, play a big role in our long term plans and it sends another signal of our intent for the season ahead.”