Newcastle Vipers have signed American forward Jason Tejchma from East Coast Hockey League side Mississippi Sea Wolves for the 2009-10 season.

Tejchma, 26, will study for a masters while continuing his playing career and is excited about the prospect of playing in the British Elite League.

"I'm really excited by the opportunity coach Wilson has given me," he told the Vipers website.

"I can't wait to come over to Newcastle and get started with the Vipers."

The Muskegon-born forward started out in the National Collegiate Athletic Association with the University of Massachusetts-Lowell before joining ECHL side Fresno Falcons.

Jason is exactly the kind of player we had in mind when planning our recruitment Vipers head coach Rob Wilson

Vipers head coach Rob Wilson said signing Tejchma is a big plus going into the new season.

"It's great to have Jason signed up so early in the summer and I couldn't be happier that he's coming to Newcastle," he said.

"Jason is exactly the kind of player we had in mind when planning our recruitment."

Tejchma will begin his Vipers career in late August with a training camp before the Elite League season gets underway on the weekend of 5-6 September.

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