The Invicta Dynamos have added to their roster ahead of the first puck drop against the Bracknell Hornets by securing the services of club stalwarts Grant Baxter and Damien Welch for the 2015/16 campaign.

Veteran Grant Baxter first wore the colours of the Mos in 1998/99 and has been a prominent presence at the Silver Blades ever since. But for one term with the Romford Raiders in 2010/11, the 38 year old has played a role for the Dynamos each season and enters the new campaign having dressed for the club a mammoth 373 times.

His huge tally of appearances places him second only to all time club record holder Andy Smith in games played for the side and the boisterous all-rounder has enjoyed a return of 140 points and 1138 penalty minutes across those games. Now he will be bringing his considerable experience to the Mos changing room once again in 2015/16 having agreed a deal for the new campaign.

Speaking on the signing of Grant Baxter, Head Coach Kevin Parrish said, “There’s not much needs to be said about Grant. Anyone who has followed hockey in Gillingham for any length of time will know all about him.”

“At 38 he might not light up the scoreboard with regularity but he does bring experience and character to this young team and that will be worth its weight in gold.”

“Grant knows this club inside out, knows the expectations and will be a good influence on the younger members of the side.”

“On the ice he will do whatever it takes to make this team successful and that’s exactly why he has made the roster again in 2015/16”.

Meanwhile Parrish has secured the services of another club stalwart by signing defenceman Damien Welch who previously iced for the Dynamos between 2000 and 2009 having also appeared for the team in their EPL days.

Welch makes a return to the line-up looking to add to his 213 previous outings during which he netted 15 goals and claimed 67 assists for 82 points from the blue line.

The defenceman has been absent from hockey for a number of seasons will be hoping to hit the ground running having trained throughout the summer in preparation for a return.

Talking on the capture of Damien Welch, Kevin Parrish said, “Damien’s comeback might surprise a few people but he has been working on his game throughout the off-season and is desperate to wear that Dynamos jersey again.”

“He will have a few weeks to get fully up to speed and find his sharpness but he’s is a dependable defenceman and a safe pair of hands to have on the blue line.”

“Damien is another who has a long history at the club and his presence on the roster will only help support the younger guys we brought in throughout the summer. I look forward to working with him again in 2015/16”.

The return of Grant Baxter and Damien Welch further bolsters a Dynamos roster that was joined in training during the week by a number of young prospects who could sign for the club should they establish themselves.

Meanwhile the rest of the side will take to the ice for their first competitive outing against the Bracknell Hornets on Sunday 20th September in the NIHL South Division 1 with faceoff at the Silver Blades at 5.15pm. Doors open at 4.30pm.