NEWCASTLE KBS Vipers general manager Alex Dampier is on a scouting trip to Canada hoping to add to his growing list of signings for the new club.

Having secured a British National League place for the coming season, the Vipers have already taken on three players, including import Martin Lapointe.

Dampier's month-long trip is expected to help the former Riverkings coach fill up some of the other seven import places allowed on the roster.

The two British players already signed have started to show the fledgling club live up to the promises that North-East skaters will be given a chance.

Durham-born defenceman Ian Defty, 23, has BNL experience with Dumfires Border Vikings, Kingston Hawks and Hull Thunder, while a former Whitley Warriors star, Simon Leach, has also played for the Newcastle Warriors, Kingston and Paisley Pirates.

Defenceman Lapointe, 29, has played much of his career in the US East Coast hockey League and last season picked up 14 goals and 17 assists in 69 games for Augusta Lynx, proving he can also be an attacking threat.

Dampier has also been linked with former Newcastle crowd favourite Rob Trumbley and ex-Sheffield defenceman Andre Malo.

* The new Vipers website - www.newcastlevipers.com - is expected to be fully online within the next few days