Hull Pirates have confirmed defenseman Jon Kirk as their fourth returnee for the 2016/17 EPL season.

Kirk has enjoyed a solid first year with the Pirates, scoring 6 goals with 13 assists in 52 games.

Pirates’ Player/Coach Dominic Osman said: “Obviously Jon has shown a lot of improvement over the season.

“He is one of the guys we were talking to in the summer about possibly joining Sheffield and earning a spot before I moved to Hull.

“We told Jon if you come in, work hard, you do the things we ask you to do you can definitely earn a contract for the following season.

“He has really improved over the year, and I’m really excited to see what he can do over the course of time.”

Kirk added: “I’m really happy to be staying in Hull for another year.

“It’s been a strange first season in the EPL with a lot of ups and downs, but I like the vision for the future at the club and think with the great fanbase in Hull we can become one of the top teams in the league.”

Pirates have also confirmed Tom Ralph has left the club.

(Image permission: Arthur Foster)