The Northstars have welcomed their fourth import player to Newcastle ahead of this weekend's season opening double header at home with Ondrej Smach arriving in the country on Easter Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Czech defender joins Canadian Francis Drolet as another newcomer while Tomas Landa and Sammy Banga return to the Northstars for a second stint in the Australian Ice Hockey League.
MORE ICE HOCKEY: John Kennedy jnr shifts from player to coach at Northstars in 2019
Most recently Smach, 32, and Drolet, 29, have both been playing in France.
Smach, described by Northstars general manager Garry Dore as an "impact player", lined up in 42 games for Amiens Gothiques during 2018-19 and made 15 points (four goals, 11 assists).
"We were looking for a going-forward defenceman, but still with a strong defensive play," Dore said. "He'll control our end very nicely. He's highly credentialed."
Drolet, who Dore called "outstanding", helped Brianon Red Devils earn promotion to the top French level with 55 points from 38 games across regular rounds and finals. Previously in the US he played in the Southern and East Coast professional leagues.
"He'll bring a lot to our team," Dore said.
Each of the eight national franchises can name a maximum six imports in their roster for 2019, but only four can play on any given game day.
The Northstars host the Sydney Bears and Melbourne Ice at Hunter Ice Skating Stadium on Saturday (5pm) and Sunday (4pm) respectively.
The Bears started their campaign on the weekend with an 8-3 win over the Sydney Ice Dogs and 4-1 loss to defending champions the Canberra Brave.
The Ice finished 6-5 ahead of Adelaide Adrenaline, who also went down 6-2 to the Melbourne Mustangs.
