Manchester Phoenix have added a buffalo rancher to their squad for next season.

Josh Garbutt, 23, moves to the Phoenix after having played in the Central Hockey League with Tulsa Oilers and Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees.

During the off-season Garbutt works on a range in his native Canada herding over 1,000 buffalo.

The defenceman said: "I can't wait to get there [Manchester]. It's a great chance for me and I intend to make the most of the experience."

On his ranch hobby, he added: "It's tough work as buffalo take some handling, you sure don't want to get on the wrong side of them at all."

Phoenix have already signed two forwards for the 2008 campaign in Canadian Grant Jacobsen and Scotsman Adam Walker.