Eurologix Telford Tigers have announced their first new foreign-trained player for the new season.

Ontario-born Jason Cassells joins from Twin City Cyclones in the Southern Professional Hockey League, where he posted 22 goals and 40 assists in 52 games – their second highest points scorer – and the 27-year-old is keen to get the new season started.

Speaking from Canada, Cassells said: “I am looking forward to jumping on board with the Tigers this year and being an impact player right away.

“Being able to come over and play in the UK, where most of my family is from, is an exciting opportunity and I can’t wait to get started.” The 5ft 9ins forward joined the North Carolina side last season after a year with Jacksonville Barracudas.

Prior to that, he played in the United Hockey League and college hockey in New York State. Tigers coach Claude Dumas said: “Cassells has very good stats in a league where the standard is pretty high. Swindon’s Joel Petkoff played in the same SPHL teams as Jason, and he has been a star in our league, so that shows the quality of hockey.

“The SPHL produces more complete players, and if Jason is a bit of a star over there, we think he will be great for us in the team we are building here.”