Cruikshank regret over Bison exit

Basingstoke Bison captain Brad Cruikshank admits to feeling guilty over his decision to quit the club.

The 29-year-old, who spent three seasons with the Bison, plays his last game this weekend before joining the Sheffield Steelers.

He told BBC Berkshire: "As much as I know this is the right decision for me and my family, I still have a guilty feeling in my stomach.

"I'm an emotional guy and I care about my team-mates and this place," he said.

Cruikshank's departure is a huge blow to the Bison, stranded at the foot of the Elite League and already reeling after the shock resignation of player-coach Ryan Aldridge last week.

But the power-forward, who scored a career-best 30 goals last season, insisted his decision was made purely for family reasons.

"If something were to happen here throughout the year then I may not have a job and I just hope that people understand that is the sole reason for going," he said.

"It just offers us, as a family, a lot more stability and it was something that I couldn't pass up."

The Canadian joins the Steelers as a replacement for the injured Nathan Gillies, but conceded he would look back fondly on his time with the Bison.

"It's a very sad day for us, we've made a lot of good friends here and we have the best fans probably in hockey."

"This place has such a special place in my heart," he added.