Wilson is likely to make his debut against Nottingham on 11 October

Hull Stingrays have signed Canadian defenceman Aaron Wilson from United States Central Hockey League side Austin Ice Bats.

The 26-year-old will replace Jonathan Bernier, who walked out on the club after just three games.

Stingrays coach Rick Strachan told BBC Radio Humberside: "Aaron contacted me and said, 'if you've got a job for me, I want it'.

"He's got decent skill, is a solid player and a stay-at-home defenceman."

Wilson has previously had spells at the Fort Wayne Komets and the Trenton Titans and is a graduate of the University of Toronto in Canada.

He's a big guy at 6ft 4ins and 220lbs so he'll help us at the back Rick Strachan

The Stingrays have been playing short-handed on defence since Bernier left but Wilson is not expected to arrive in time for next weekend's Elite League Yorkshire derby with Sheffield Steelers at the Hull Arena.

But Strachan believes when Wilson joins the team he will add plenty of bite to their defence.

"I've talked to some coaches about him and he'll do the job for us, he's played on the powerplay in his career so that'll help and he's a big guy at 6ft 4ins and 220lbs so he'll help us at the back," he said.

Wilson is likely to make his debut for the Stingrays in the home game against Nottingham Panthers on Saturday .