Newcastle Vipers have agreed a new deal with Canadian forward Andre Payette for the forthcoming Elite League season.
Payette, 31, has made 150 appearances for the club, scoring 85 points since arriving from rivals Coventry Blaze in the summer of 2005.
The announcement follows the forward signings of American Rob Rankin from Hull Stingrays and Joel Irving from Canadian side Youngstown Steelhounds.
Vipers reached the semi-finals of last season’s Elite League play-offs
Newcastle Vipers have signed Canadian winger Tyler Willis from International Hockey League side Kalamazoo K Wings.
Willis, 31, becomes the Vipers’ third summer signing following moves for netminder Andrew Verner and defenceman Chris McAllister.
“I am delighted to have signed for the Vipers and to be working with head coach Rob Wilson,” said Willis.
“Rob talked to me about Newcastle but the time was never right and now the timing is perfect.”
The British Columbia-born wideman has represented Vancouver Canucks in the NHL as well as a string of clubs in Canada and the United States.
