An excited Oxford City Stars begin life in English National League Division 1 with a double-header this weekend.

Stars, who have recruited heavily over the summer, visit Invicta Dynamos this evening and host Cardiff Devils tomorrow (6.15).

Oxford were promoted after winning the South Division 2 title for a second straight season.

Coach Darren Elliott said: “We have more than enough firepower up front to trouble even the best defences in NIHL1 this season.”

But it is the backline that Stars have strengthened most, notably with the signing of Romanian international Zsolt Masteleriu.

Oxford have also snapped up 27-year-old Ryan Bainborough, from Chelmsford Chieftains, to support existing netminder James Skaife.

In the middle of the ice, they have signed Bristol Pitbulls centre Jamie Newton, who was a key player for them last season.

PLAYERS IN

Zsolt Masteleriu (defenceman, ASC Corona Brasov), Ryan Bainborough (netminder, Chelmsford Chieftans), Jamie Newton (centre, Bristol Pitbulls), Dax Hedges (forward, unattached), Adam Harris (forward, Oxford University Vikings).

PLAYERS OUT

Alan Green (forward, Slough Jets), Andy Cox (defenceman, Slough Jets).

STARS FIXTURES

Division 1

SEPTEMBER

Sat 13 Invicta Dynamos (a, 5.15) Sun 14 Cardiff Devils (H, 6.15) Sun 21 Wightlink Raiders (H, 6.15) Sat 27 London Raiders (a, 5.30) Sun 28 Streatham Redskins (H, 6.15).

OCTOBER Sun 5 Solent Devils (H, 6.15) Sat 11 Wightlink Raiders (a, 6) Sat 18 Chelmsford Chieftains (a, 5.40) Sun 19 M Keynes Thunder (H, 6.15) Sat 25 Chelmsford Chieftains (H, 6.15) Sun 26 Streatham Redskins (a, 6.45). NOVEMBER

Sat 1 Bracknell Hornets (a, 6) Sun 2 Bracknell Hornets (H, 6.15) Sat 8 Invicta Dynamos (H, 7.30) Sat 15 M Keynes Thunder (H, 7.30) Sun 23 Milton Keynes Thunder (a, 7) Sun 30 Streatham Redskins (H, 6.15).

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DECEMBER

Sat 6 London Raiders (a, 5.30) Sun 7 Solent Devils (a, 7) Sun 21 Solent Devils (H, 6.15).

JANUARY

Sun 4 Wightlink Raiders (H, 6.15) Sun 11 London Raiders (H, 6.15) Sat 17 Wightlink Raiders (a, 6) Sun 18 Cardiff Devils (a, 7) Sat 24 Invicta Dynamos (a, 5.15 Sun 25 London Raiders (H, 6.15).

FEBRUARY Sun 1 Cardiff Devils (H, 6.15) Sun 8 Milton Keynes Thunder (a, 7) Sat 14 Invicta Dynamos (H, 5) Sun 22 Solent Devils (a, 7) Sat 28 Bracknell Hornets (H, 7.30).

MARCH

Sat 7 Chelmsford Chieftains (H, 7.30) Sun 8 Streatham Redskins (a, 6.45) Sat 14 Bracknell Hornets (a, 6) Sat 21 Cardiff Devils (a, 7) Sun 22 Chelmsford Chieftains (a, 6.30).