BRACKNELL Bees have been beefing up their squad for the new 2016/17 English Premier League season.

Teenage netminder Matthew Smital, son of Bees player/coach Lukas, has signed up for the forthcoming campaign.

The 17-year-old Czech-born stopper has played his way through the Bees youth ranks, meaning he qualifies as a British-trained player.

The 6ft 3ins netminder iced in 12 games for the Under 18s Drones and three games for the first team. He was also back-up to Bees No.1 stopper, Alex Mettam and is now firmly part of the senior squad.

Dad, Lukas, said: “Matthew came in full time for the Bees part way through the last campaign and was part of the squad for 25 games, icing in three of those matches.

“He had trained with the squad prior to that so is well known and he has struck up an understanding with Alex Mettam.

“With Mettam also returning for the forthcoming season Matthew will continue to learn and develop and we have already seen that he is a capable netminder at this level.”

Bees have also announced popular forward Scott Spearing, left, will be returning for a seventh consecutive season.

The gritty British player, who has spent 10 years with the club overall, is closing in on his 500th EPL appearance and 350th for the Bees.

Spearing, who is fourth in the Bees’ all-time appearance list, will bring his no-nonsense approach to The Hive next season.

Smital said: “Scott is very much part of the furniture and very much a team player. He is arguably the glue that holds the side together both on and off the ice.

“He does all the hard work. A lot of what he does may go unseen but without him the team would be very different.”

In addition, 18-year-old defenceman Josh Tetlow has signed for another season with the Bees.

The 6ft 6ins teenager rose through the youth ranks and impressed during his debut season.

Tetlow was part of the Bracknell Dromes U18 Championship winning side in 2014, and Smital stated: “There aren’t many 6ft 6ins, 18-year-old defenceman around. After a solid season last time out, teams have now started to take notice of Josh so I’m pleased to have kept him.

“He has a good hockey and match sense for someone so young and is a keen, honest and hardworking player.”

  • BEES fans hoping to retain their season ticket seat for the 2016/17 season must do so before the deadline today (Thursday).