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The Wildcats season started with 5 games in 7 days as well as 2 pre-season friendlies beforehand. Their season splatted, popped, banged and exploded into action that much that in the end no one wanted to play them as going into the play-offs they were the in-form team, but just could not carry it into the play-offs against a stronger Phoenix team. Next year it seems they will be selling half-year season tickets in the second half of the season! So let’s take a look at last year’s squad and see wether the players could/may return. | ||||||
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Player |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts. |
PIM |
What the Jock thinks ! |
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Ryan Aldridge |
54 |
6 |
24 |
30 |
93 |
Aldridge has already put pen to paper on another year but miss the play-offs this time at your peril. |
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Joe Baird |
30 |
0 |
11 |
11 |
36 |
Baird is wanted by the Bees but seems settled at Swindon. |
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Graham Bird |
34 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 and 2 will be Murdy and Skinns. |
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Samuel Bullas |
54 |
4 |
9 |
13 |
62 |
Poor year for Bullas, could have been his last year at the ‘Cats. |
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Jaroslav Cesky |
51 |
28 |
36 |
64 |
115 |
Cesky, Pinc & Watt? Do you keep the together ? New import expected here. |
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Nick Compton |
26 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Squad filler. |
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Jonas Hoog |
54 |
42 |
50 |
92 |
38 |
Hoog will give it one more go at Wildcats. |
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Jan Melichar |
54 |
3 |
20 |
23 |
87 |
Reliable import D, not many around so keep him. |
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Shane Moore |
51 |
1 |
11 |
12 |
123 |
Moore again seems very settled in Swindon. |
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Thomas Murdy |
43 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
Re-signed. Top tip to be EPL's top goalie if he can keep away from injury. |
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Aaron Nell |
38 |
46 |
33 |
79 |
10 |
Aldridge will try to keep his top Brits. |
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Michal Pinc |
54 |
26 |
44 |
70 |
90 |
If he can live without Cesky he will re-sign. |
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Lee Richardson |
54 |
10 |
31 |
41 |
26 |
As Nell, Richardson is one of Aldridge's top Brits. |
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Dean Skinns |
26 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
Late signing last year but expect him to go head-to-head with Murdy. |
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Paul Swindlehurst |
51 |
3 |
8 |
11 |
40 |
Re-signed. |
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Floyd Taylor |
29 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Wildcats Academy squad member. |
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Loris Taylor |
54 |
3 |
5 |
8 |
12 |
Wildcats Academy squad member. |
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Nicky Watt |
50 |
22 |
27 |
49 |
183 |
Watt to re-sign and partner Pinc new import. |
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Stephen Whitfield |
54 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
28 |
Will be a vital D member next year. |
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So what’s to do for Aldridge? He needs a top import forward to rack the points up with Pinc and Watt, a top Brit points scorer to replace Bullas, someone like Long or another proven Brit forward, and a D, even give the talented Soar and Bruce from the Telford Tigers! | ||||||
SWINDON WILDCATS REVIEW
THANKS TO ‘THE JOCK STRAP’
YOU GOT it 1st FROM THE
Wildcats Ask For Moore Of The Same
The Swindon Wildcats are delighted to announce that defence man Shane Moore has re-signed
for the club ahead of the 2012/13 season. Having such a major influence in the Wildcats
defensive lineup, it was clear Moore was enjoying his hockey in Swindon. The 2011/12
season had seen the British player have yet another good season with finishing with
even more points to his name than previous campaign.
On subject of the new signing,
Swindon coach Ryan Aldridge had this to say about the reacquiring of Shane Moore."Shane
has been a massive part of our D core this year and made a solid partnership with
Swinner [Swindlehurst]. Shane has done a lot of growing up since his last time in
Swindon and has grown into a great person and a leader in the team.
He has played great all season and is a real presence in front of the net. Shane was a player we had to bring back."
Speaking after having signed with the Wildcats for another year, Shane Moore had this to say. "It's great to be back in Swindon for another season. Retuning last year I had a lot to prove to myself, the organisation and the fans. And felt I had a good year. This year I hope to step up my game again and help the Wildcats in whatever way I'm asked."
Along with net minder Thomas Murdy and defenseman Paul Swindlehurst already re-signing for Swindon, Shane Moore now makes up a third signing as the club already look toward another competitive year of hockey in 2012.
Scott Gummerson - Press Officer
pressoffice@swindonwildcats.com
Cats Make ExceptioNell Signing!
Aaron commits future to the Cats.
Aaron Nell has committed his immediate future to the Swindon Wildcats.
The powerful forward, who received several offers from the Elite League after the 2011-12 season came to an end, put pen to paper yesterday afternoon much to the delight of club officials who were keen to keep him at the Wiltshire club for another season.
Speaking to swindonwildcats.com after the deal was confirmed, Head Coach Ryan Aldridgetold us: "It's absolutely fantastic to have Aaron back for next season.
"As you would expect, after the impressive time he had with the club last season there was a lot of interest in his services from a host of other clubs, but we're delighted that he has agreed to stay with us once again.
"We had a discussion about the clubs future and what we are aiming to achieve and he likes what we are doing to achieve those goals. Aaron is an important part of our plans and he will play a key role in helping us to move forwards next season.
"He is obviously the type of player that any coach would like on his team as he is a game breaker and he can come up with those 'big goals' that win hockey games. He is a great team player too which makes him such a huge part of the Wildcats."
Nell continued: "I'm very happy to have agreed another deal with the Wildcats.
"It's an exciting time to be playing for the club and Ryan [Aldridge] has some serious plans in place and with the talented upcoming British players that the club has on its books, the future really does look bright and I'm already counting down the days to next season!
"I'm convinced the club will continue on from the progress that we made during the second half of last season and I believe we're much better placed to find the continuity with our results.
"Playing with Jonas [Hoog] was terrific and something I really enjoyed, so it will be great if the club could manage to get him back in a Wildcats shirt for next term.
"I feel we developed a strong partnership on the ice and it would be great to have the opportunity for us to improve on last year and to help bring some long overdue success to Swindon."
Nell becomes the fourth confirmed Wildcats signing of the close season and he joins net minder Thomas Murdy along with defenders Paul Swindlehurst and Shane Moore on the 2012-13 roster.
Nell's stats for the 2011-12 season: Iced - 38, G - 46, A - 33, Pts - 79. He won 10 Man of the Match awards along the way and also ended the season impressively as the English Premier League's top British points scorer, with the highest points by game average, goal scorer, goals by game average and also scored the most hat-tricks.
You can follow Aaron Nell on Twitter: @aaronned19
WATT A BOOST FOR THE ‘CATS
The Swindon Wildcats are pleased to announce that fans favourite Nicky Watt will be remaining at the Link Centre for another season.
The 26-year old forward who hails from Basingstoke, agreed to put pen to paper in a new deal yesterday and speaking to swindonwildcats.com after the contract was signed, Head Coach Ryan Aldridge said: "Watty [Nicky Watt] had a great season for the club last year and he is the kind of player I want to have on my team.
"He knows his role on the ice really well and he gets into the right positions at the right time and reads the game really well.
"His job in the team is a tough one and it's a role that lots of other players are scared to take on or they're just not capable of doing, but Nicky thrives on the challenge and he carries it out brilliantly.
"He constantly ends the season around the fifty-point mark and he wins a high percentage of his draws. He protects the line as well as his team mates and it is great to know that he will still be here next season."
The shape of the 2012-13 Wildcats now looks like this:
Net minder: Thomas Murdy
Defenders: Shane Moore and Paul Swindlehurst.
Forwards: Ryan Aldridge, Aaron Nell and Nicky Watt.
Watt's stats for the 2011-12 season: Iced - 50, Goals - 22, Assists - 25, Points - 47.
Keep up to date with the Swindon Wildcats during the summer and visit our official website: www.swindonwildcats.com
