BRACKNELL Bees have added another new face to their English Premier Ice Hockey League squad after signing Martin Pavlicek.

The 21-year-old Slovakian born defenceman split his time last season between HC Topolcany in Slovakia, where he tallied three goals and eight assists in thirty-eight games, and EC Kitzbuhel in Austria.

He cut his teeth in the Slovakian U18 and U20 leagues, predominately for HC Nitra, but has also iced in the Finnish and Swedish U18 leagues.

Been player/coach Lukas Smital believes the Slovakia U18 international will be a key addition to Bees’ blue line.

“Martin is another young player we have recruited who is keen to succeed and is looking to improve his game further with us,” he said.

“A defensively focused team player, I look forward to working with him in his first season in the UK.”

However, 19-year-old forward, Tom Beesley, has left Bracknell to join National Ice Hockey League South club the London Raiders.

The Basingstoke-born player had worked his way up through the youth ranks to the first team.