Invicta Dynamos head coach Kevin Parrish has increased his defensive options by signing Tom Avery from the Chelmsford Chieftains.

Avery helped Chelmsford win the play-off final last season.

Parrish (pictured) said: “I’ve liked the look of Tom for the past couple of years. He’s not a big D-man but he’s got good movement and superb technical ability and might just be the final piece in the jigsaw.

“He probably didn’t get all the ice time he deserved last year but he’s got the chance to prove himself with us.”

Dynamos begin their ENIHL South Division 1 campaign at home against the Milton Keynes Thunder on September 2.

“It’s nice to kick off with a home game," said Parrish. "Especially as we seem to struggle at Milton Keynes for some reason but every game is going to be tough.

“A few years ago there were some easy-looking games in this league and you wondered how you were going to motivate the guys beforehand but that’s not the case now and you are going to have to be on your mettle every game.”

Dynamos’ second match will be on September 8 at Wightlink Raiders in the new South East Trophy.

The mini-league competition, which also features the Romford Raiders and Chelmsford Chieftains, has been introduced to increase the number of games each club plays during the season following the loss of Bristol, which has reduced South Division 1 to nine teams.