Toneys is relishing the chance to play in the Elite League

Nottingham Panthers latest signing Nick Toneys says he is proud to be joining the club.

The 25-year-old comes to the city after spending last year with Augusta in the East Coast Hockey League in America.

Toneys told BBC Radio Nottingham: "It's been a dream of mine to go and play hockey overseas.

"I think this is a great opportunity for me not only being in a different country but on a team with the tradition of the Nottingham Panthers."

Toneys will take advantage of the club's link with Derby University and combine playing with studying.

The defenceman was born in Wisconsin and, after going to school at Michigan Tech, he transferred to St. Norbert College.

Toneys graduated in 2006 but not before getting his first taste of professional ice-hockey with the Kalamazoo Wings in the United Hockey League.

The American played six games for Kalamazoo in the 2005/06 season as the Wings went on to win the play-offs.

It was here that he played alongside former Panther Briane Thompson who was playing in his last year before hanging up his skates.

Toneys said: "He helped me a lot make the transition from college to professional. I related to him more than a lot of people.

"He taught me quite a bit about little things in professional hockey. I will definitely remember that guy for being a leader towards me and a role model."

Toneys signed his first professional contract with Kalamazoo for the 2006/07 season and again the Wings made it through to the play-off final but lost to Rockford after seven games.

Tom Askey said the world about Nottingham - he said it was a great place and has a great fan base. Nick Toneys

It was here he teamed up with another former Panther in Tom Askey.

The netminder backed-stopped Panthers to Challenge Cup success last season.

"Tom said the world about Nottingham. He said it was a great place and has a great fan base," Toneys revealed.

"I got a feel about what it's like over there with the bigger rink. I played in a bigger rink at college so I'm used to that."

Askey added: "Nick is a quality person who will fit in excellent with a team-first attitude.

"He is a good stay-at-home D man with good skills as well. He was one of our most steady defenceman when I played with him in Kalamazoo."