Bracknell Bees have appointed Doug Sheppard as their new head coach for the 2018/19 season.
Sheppard, 41, arrives following a highly successful spell as Basingstoke Bison boss, including guiding his side to a treble-winning campaign last season.
Bees’ manager in 2017/18 Scott Spearing will stay on as a player-assistant coach.
Spearing had taken over from Lukas Smital last summer for his first year in charge as Bracknell got off to a flying start.
But Bees form dipped severely after Christmas, culminating in a fifth-placed finish and subsequently a disappointing play-off quarter-final defeat to London Raiders.
Canadian Sheppard moved to England to play for Bison in 2004/05 before taking up a player-coach role in 2006. He then moved to Sheffield Steelers a year later as player-assistant, winning the EIHL play-offs.
After spending three more years with Sheffield, winning the league title and play-offs again, Sheppard moved on to Slough Jets in 2011/12, winning the EPIHL play-offs.
A seven-year stay at Basingstoke followed, as he moved to becoming a full-time coach in 2015, winning six trophies in total before turning down a new contract offer earlier this month to move to Bracknell.
“Bees directors are extremely pleased to have Doug’s services, believing this to be the key piece in the jigsaw for a sustained chase for silverware next season,” read a club statement.
Sheppard himself said: “I was delighted to accept the opportunity to join the Bracknell organisation.
“I know how passionate the fans are here.
“I look forward to their support as I work to bring a successful future back to a club which has enjoyed so much success in the past.”
