Dulle, 28, will begin his fourth full professional season. He returns to the Killer Bees after playing last season with the Youngstown Steelhounds. Dulle played 64 games for the Bees during the 2005-06 season and another 27 in 2006-07 before being part of a trade with the Tulsa Oilers. The 5-foot-10, 196-pound Craik, Sask., native represented RGV at the 2007 CHL All Star Game.

Last season with Youngstown, Dulle capped off his best offensive campaign with 31 points (5-27-31) and 100 PIM. His plus-27 rating was sixth-best in the league and fourth-best among all defensemen. Overall, Dulle has appeared in 208 games and collected 97 points (22-75-97).

Hardwick spent last season with the Muskegon Fury (IHL), where he posted six points (3-3-6) and 67 PIM in 70 games. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Warroad, Minn., native and University of Minn.-Duluth product played for the Corpus Christi Rayz from 2004-07. The 28-year-old led the Rayz with a plus-20 rating in 2006-07 and was among the team leaders in that category throughout his time in Corpus.

"Kurtis and Jay add two important elements to our blue line; skill and dependability," Killer Bees Head Coach Chris Brooks said. "Dulle is more of an offensive player as the fans here know. He moves the puck and skates well and can be an asset on the power play. Hardwick is more of a stay-at home guy who is smart with the first pass out of the zone. Both players should be key components of our team this year."