The Proski Newcastle Northstars have made a late inclusion into the team prior to this weekend’s critical double-header at home, flying in Canadian import Sammy Banga.

Banga (pronounced bang-ga), a 180cm tall native of Windsor Ontario, made his professional debut in the East Coast Hockey League in April for the Norfolk Admirals at the close of their 2017-2018 season.

It came after playing 129 games for Brock University’s Badgers.

In his games for the Badgers, the 25 year old registered 109 points, consisting of 46 goals and 63 assists, and wore the A for the 2016-2017 season.

Banga joins Newcastle imports Joe Harcharik (US), Nick Rivait (Canada), Sam Lawson (Canada) and Tomas Landa (Czech Republic) on the team list.

He is expected to make his Australian Ice Hockey League debut at Hunter Ice Skating Stadium this weekend where the Northstars face Perth Thunder on Saturday and Melbourne Ice on Sunday.

"Sammy has been on our radar for the best part of two years and was one of our early import choices," Northstars coach Joe Theriault said.

"But because of his season with Brock university going so far into the Canadian championship Sammy needed a break and some relax time.

"I remember watching Sammy play when I was working in Lasalle. He played for the Lasalle vipers and he was one of the fastest skaters and well-rounded players on the team. 

"Sammy did a couple pre-season games with the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL and was a standout then. Those years consisted for Taylor Hall, Adam Henrique, Cam Fowler, Ryan Ellis, all of which are NHL household names.

"Sammy comes with a lot of offensive effectiveness and not only a goal scorer but a great set up man as well.

"Sammy is a leader also and proved himself as the captain of Brock university this year."

The Northstars had shaken off a poor start to the season to climb from last to second on the ladder, but consecutive outright losses in their last two games - against Perth Thunder (2-8) and Sydney Bears (0-2) - has dropped them to fourth position and in danger of falling out of AIHL Finals contention.

The Bears are just two points behind with less games played.

Saturday's game against Perth Thunder begins at 5pm and Sunday's game against Melbourne Ice starts at 4pm.

Both games will be livestreamed on the AIHL YouTube account.

Tickets are available for both games, available by calling HISS on (02) 4954 4499.