JOSH Ealey-Newman says it is a dream come true after signing a full contract with Bracknell Bees, writes Dave Wright.

"Being a Bracknell junior and watching the Bees play, I have always wanted to play for the team and now I am, so I'm very pleased," said the 21-year-old from Warfield.

He started skating and playing when just four years old, before attending Whitegrove Primary School and then Garth Hill College.

Having learned the game at the John Nike ice rink, he went on to play for Slough Jets, Haringey Racers and Oxford City Stars before returning to Bracknell.

He played for the Hornets in 2016-17 and the following season he also stepped up to the Bees. And last season was another good one for him with 19 goals and 15 assists for the Hornets.

Ealey-Newman made an appearance for the Bees against Leeds in September, scoring in their 4-3 win.

Last Sunday he was also credited with an assist as Bees defeated Hull 7-6 after penalty shots, which means he has a 100 per cent record this year for the team.

"Two out of two is not bad, I just hope it continues," added the 6ft 1in forward, whose older brother Ben plays for the Hornets.

"The aim now is to play the best hockey to help the team out as much as possible and help them to win games."

Head coach Doug Sheppard commented: “I’m delighted to welcome Josh full-time into the Bees set-up. In the short time he has spent with us already, I can see he’s going to bring a lot of energy to our line-up.”

Having released his July signing, Czech Robin Kovar, last week, Sheppard has also signed forward Dominik Gabaj, a 26-year-old Slovakian who will be playing in Britain for the first time.

His previous clubs include HK Ruzinov 99 Bratislava, American clubs Idaho Jr. Steelheads (now the Idaho IceCats) and Monroe Community College and, more recently, for Brest in France.

Sheppard said: “I’ve heard good things about Dominik as a player and person. I’m confident he’s going to come to Bracknell and make a difference to the team.”

He is set to make debut this coming weekend when eighth-placed Bees visit Basingstoke Bison, who are third, on Saturday (6.30pm) before hosting second-placed Swindon Wildcats on Sunday (5.30pm).

Bees forward Zack Milton has been named in the 22-strong Great Britain Under-20s squad for the IIHF World Championship Division II Group A tournament in Vilnius.

They will be taking on hosts Lithuania, Japan, Romania, Serbia and Spain between January 6 and 12.