Nell returns with a goal frenzy!

This Christmas we were gifted with the return of Aaron Nell and Lee Richardson to the Link Centre. Aaron has signed a two-way contract which means he will continue to train with and gain valuable experience from the Sheffield Steelers. After last nights spectacular victory over the Basingstoke Bison we spoke with Aaron to get some thoughts on his return and what we can expect for the games to come.

S.W.S.C: We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you back on behalf of the supporters. Have you any message for them tonight?

Nell: It was a great game tonight and I hope they enjoyed. It was the best atmosphere I've experienced at a regular season game. Keep on coming and we'll keep on winning and keep on entertaining. I hope they enjoyed their night!

S.W.S.C: Can you tell us a bit more about the two-way contract you've signed? So, when are we going to be seeing you and when are we going to be losing you?

Nell: It looks like I'll be playing almost every game in Swindon now for the rest of the year. If Sheffield get into injury troubles I'll be going back there. If they want me they can have me but as long as they have no injuries, I'll be here.

S.W.S.C: Can you tell us a little about your time in Sheffield?

Nell: I feel like I've improved. We've done a lot of training, you know I've been working hard on the training. It's been an inconsistent year for us an no one is happy up there with how we've done so far. We had a good win on Boxing Day so hopefully things should turn around.

S.W.S.C: So when did you decide to come back?

Nell: We had been talking about it for about 10 days and it was confirmed on Boxing Day. It's good for Sheffield, it's good for me and it's good for Swindon. So hopefully it works in all ways.

S.W.S.C: It looked tonight as if you were hitting harder and using your own body weight a bit more than you did last season.

Nell: Yeah, I've been trying to do that more. I told Ryan, when I come back I don't care about how many goals or assists, I just want us to win and if that means I have to play a defensive role then I will do that. I've had two years of getting all the points and now I just want us to win, that's all that matters!

S.W.S.C: Well, it was a great win for Swindon tonight. You scored a hat-trick. How did that feel?

Nell: It was good! (Laughs) I haven't been feeling very well the past few days and I was a bit scared coming in. But, we played well. Ryan (Watt) made a great play on one goal and Jonas (Hoog) on the other two. Unbelievable plays so it was just kinda easy for me to put it in. You always try to score as many as you can but I didn't expect that.

S.W.S.C: So who did you enjoy playing with out there tonight?

Nell: Well it was Jonas (Hoog)! I always enjoy playing with Jonas. Everyone played well. The D were great. Henri and Jan and Sam on that other line, they played great.

S.W.S.C: Thank you Aaron. It's great to have you back. Well done tonight.



***

Keep an eye on the blog as we will also be chatting with Lee Richardson very soon.

Adam Harding

Last Saturday (07/12) we sat down with #4 Adam Harding to talk about the ups and downs of life as a Wildcat at the moment. He spoke candidly about both his own and the teams performance and what they need to do to turn the corner. Adam was awarded the Man of the Match award on Saturday for his performance versus Manchester Phoenix.

S.W.S.C: Congratulations on your Man of the Match award. Any thoughts on tonight's game?

Adam: It's good to get a Man of the Match but it doesn't mean anything. You know, we didn't play well out there. I don't think I had a really great game so I don't know why I got it to be honest with you. The effort was there but we were finding a way to lose.

S.W.S.C: We saw a great performance in the first period. Unfortunately you were unable to take the win. What went wrong?

Adam: I don't know. I mean we tried to find a way to shut it down in the second period. We battled hard. I've got to give credit to them you know they're a great team but I don't think they deserved 2 points. I think we deserved a point out of that game at least.

S.W.S.C: What lessons can you take away from tonight?

Adam: We just need to play 60 minutes! We are not playing 60 minutes. We are not playing as a team. We are not communicating. There's a lot of things we're not doing and I'm one of the biggest culprits out there as well, so we've got to come together as a team and get the win.

S.W.S.C: You were missing some of the team to GB this weekend. How did that affect the teams overall performance?

Adam: Good teams usually come together when they're short. I think we had a good performance considering how short we were. Fotjik came in and you know he hasn't played in a while. He was a big help out there. But we did miss them. They are key guys in the line-up.

SWSC: What result do you think we will be looking at in Sheffield?

Adam: We're going to win! We need a win. It doesn't matter how we get it. We've got to get a win! We're not going to take nothing from any of them. We're going to go out hard, we're going to battle. We're going to give it to them! (Final score in Sheffield on Sunday 08/12: Steeldogs 1 - 2 Wildcats).

***
Thank you to Adam for taking the time to chat.

Keeping it Interesting...

We have a great weekend of hockey ahead of us. Saturday the Manchester Phoenix come to visit and on Sunday the boys travel to Sheffield.  As we move closer to game day we want to take the opportunity to look back at last weeks game and hear from Ryan Aldridge. Keep reading for his thoughts on the team performance, new signing Jan Kostal and what's to come this weekend.

S.W.S.C: What are your thoughts on tonight's performance (versus Sheffield)?

Ryan: I think we found a way to lose tonight. Our D-zone was a little risky at times, especially in front of the net. There were far too many shots from inside 'the house'. Especially going into the third period up, we needed to play a smart game, getting pucks in, getting pucks out and we didn't do that. It cost us and penalties cost us. We didn't play how we should have played to win it.

S.W.S.C: How are you planning to prepare for next weekend's games?

Ryan: We've got a lot of guys going away with GB so it's going to be a tough one. We've also got to make sure we don't tire out our guys that are left. They've got a day off tomorrow (01/12/13). We'll do the same things again this week and work on our D-zone

S.W.S.C: So you're down a few players (Godfrey, F. Taylor & Betteridge to Team GB). How will that affect you? Will you have to ice?

Ryan: No, no. We will just have to play short again. I think that it's best that I am on the bench.

S.W.S.C: So, who was your stand out player tonight?

Ryan: Obviously Jan (Kostal). He scored three goals and you know it's what he does off the puck as well. He works hard and he's good for us. He played well tonight!

S.W.S.C: What are your predictions for this weekend?

Ryan: We'll see. It's going to be a tough weekend especially if we are missing 2 forwards and Henri. We're going to be very short. We'll have to wait and see.

***

So, here we are, less than a week later.

It has now been confirmed that Henri will not be icing. Ryan may ice himself after all.

And Tomas Fojtik is back....

The Wildcats certainly know how to keep it interesting! See you all at the game!

(Wildcats v Manchester, 07/12/13 @5.45, Swindon Ice Arena)

So, who is Jan Kostal?

Yesterday the signing of Jan Kostal, our new forward, was announced. Like you we wanted to find out more and see him in action! After watching Jan's first training session with the Wildcats we sat down with him to chat about his career so far and what he is bringing to the Cats.

The departure of Juha Silvander is still fresh in our memories so it is fair to say the news of a top new signing has come around a lot quicker than a lot of us expected. Alongside a trip to Poland, coach Ryan Aldridge has also been actively speaking with agents. He openly expressed his aspirations to bring in a new import as soon as possible. According to Jan, after his initial discussion with his agent it took just 4 days for all the paperwork to be signed. He was happy to commit quite quickly as he has been without a contract so far this season.

Until last season Jan played with Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic's Extraliga. This is the top league in his home country and the hockey is of a very high standard. So how does this compare to the EPL? The two leagues are not comparable but Jan thinks this is more because there is a very different style of hockey played in the UK. He has come across as confident and he is positive he will fit in to this style quite quickly and help to win games!

So how does he plan to do this? He is bringing with him a wealth of experience and it is clear when speaking to him that he is determined with a natural drive to succeed. 'I like to skate and shoot. I play hard in front of the net'

It is fair to say that there have already been some questions around whether or not he can really make a difference. His career stats being referred to as reflective of a player achieving less than the Wildcats need. Looking beyond the figures, his last two seasons with Karlovy Vary they put an 'A' on his shirt. In 2009 he took home a medal and the honour of winning the Extraliga Championship, an achievement which he has quoted as his career highlight.

Ryan Aldridge is still saying that he wants to see the Cats take home silverware this season. Will bringing in Jan Kostal be the move to drive the team forward? Here's what Jan said:

'I want to push the team forward but not just me the whole team needs to push it forward for the title.'

Jan will ice for the first time in red and white this Saturday in Slough, where traveling fans will get to see just what he can do.

Good luck Jan!

Sam Bullas: Supporters Player of the Month October

Sam Bullas has been a regular at the Link Centre for 5 seasons. His popularity has grown and grown. This was proven when last month you, the fans, voted for him as your Supporters Player of the Month. We caught up with Sam after Swindon's home defeat versus Guildford to capture his reaction on taking the trophy and to speak about the Cats recent form on the ice.

It is fair to say that Sam was taken aback to be voted as the stand out player in October. Sam had a tremendous month creating a great presence on the ice, displaying the full deck - goals, assists and throwing a few punches for good measure.

'I'm getting a bit older and a bit wiser. It's about time I show my potential. I've had a few bad seasons where I've missed a bit of time. This is the first year I started the season with no injuries and no family issues, I think maybe that's one the main factors towards it. I am very very grateful to all the people who voted for me. It is nice to win it and I am very humbled by it.'

Sam was very candid when he spoke about how the teams recent succession of losses. He apologised for the losses saying 'I don't feel like I've really earned it because I'm not winning the games for you guys.' Speaking about the Guildford game (9/11, Swindon lost 2-5) Sam said. 'It was a difficult game for us tonight, we've been very unlucky'.

Unfortunately this has been a recurring sentiment this season and rumours are rife of change.

'Despite the fact that it is fun and we all love doing it, it is a job. You see it happening all over the league, people being fired. The pressure is on and everyone has got to step their game up now.'

So what comes next for Sam and the boys?

'I love this place I've been here 5 years. Swindon is my home now. I really really want to win some silverware. We never have since I've been here and it's about time we did!'

Congratulations Sam Bullas! Your SWSC Supporters Player of the Month for October!

Watt to expect from Ryan

The hot topic on every Wildcats fan's lips this week? Ryan Watt is back in town.

Watt was dramatically sacked by the Slough Jets just last week. According to social media Watt was approached by 7 other clubs around the leagues, a fact he has confirmed. So what is it that swung his decision to sign up with the Cats?

We met up with Watt at the Swindon Ice Arena tonight where he was taking part in his first official training session with the team. He told us he was looking for a position where he could be a top six forward. Watt has made no secret of the fact that he would like another shot at the elite league and he feels a solid year a Swindon will give him that opportunity before he reaches his peak. The 23 year old spent last season with the Braehead Clan.

In his short spell with Slough this season Watt played just 4 games, and served a 4 game ban.

'After I got sacked I wasn't very happy. When I spoke to him (Michael Wales) I told him we might have to fight but looking at it now, it had to be done by Slough. It's a part of hockey and I'm over it now. I just want to beat Slough on the scoreboard and send them home!'

With that in mind, it brings into question Aldridge's motivations behind bringing in a player with such a tumultuous background. 'He (Aldridge) wants me to be one of, if not the top Brit on this team. He doesn't want me in the penalty box. He wants me scoring points and helping win games for the team'. Watt feels that his experience will add more depth to is already a strong team.

Tonight, at practise, we saw Aldridge slot him on the first line, alongside Hoog and Silvander. Can we expect to see this same combination on Saturday? According to Watt, Aldridge has not yet confirmed his line but he found that he could read a lot from the Nordic duo. 'They are both smart players...They can help me as much as I can help them.'

The Wildcats face off against the MK Lightning this Saturday. If the paperwork goes through on time, Ryan Watt will join them. Will we see the Cats turn it up another notch?

'I like to score goals and I like to throw my body around sometimes that's what a team needs.'

Ryan Aldridge: One month in...taking stock

After the Milton Keynes game last Sunday we sat down with Player/Coach Ryan Aldridge to review what has so far been a rollercoaster first month of the season for the Swindon Wildcats.

SWSC: Ryan, any thoughts on tonight's game?

Ryan: I've got to take the positives out of tonight. I think that's the best performance we've had in a long time. I think it has shown what we are capable of and how we can play. We have to play like that every night and we haven't played like that for a couple of weeks now. Yeah, it's frustrating to loose but again I have to take the positives out of it and I think everyone played really well tonight.

SWSC: So we are one month in and in 4th place. Lessons learned?

Ryan: I think we just made too many mental lapses in games and you know in some games we haven't worked hard enough. We said in the summer when we built the team, the style of hockey we wanted to play. When we played Telford in the warm up games, we played the game we wanted to play and the tonight's the only night we played properly and hard since then. We now know how we need to play and we need to do that every night.

SWSC: So who needs to pull their socks up?

Ryan: We all have. We all need to stand there and be accountable for it. One guy can't play hard one shift and then have the next one off. We all have to work together. So, we've all got to pull our socks up. We know how we need to play. Plain and Simple.

SWSC: So what's been your high point of the season so far?

Ryan: I think probably the start we've had. Until last weekend we were sitting pretty. But last weekend was definitely a low point for me. The boys are playing well so it's tough to loose tonight. If we had won tonight then that would have been the high point for me.

SWSC: Henri Sandvik and the new imports are certainly making an impression on the fans, How are they gelling with the old boys?

Ryan: Henri is a lovable guy, especially if you are a coach. You love what he brings every night. He brings his heart and soul and the team comes first over everything. That's why I brought him back this year, love what he offered. Obviously Jonas (Hoog) is an old boy now. Aku (Pekkarinen) has been great from start to finish and I think he is a great signing. Juha (Silvander) has had a bit of a slow start finding his feet but I thought he played with more energy tonight.

SWSC: There have been rumours that you are looking for a new forward. Can you give us any more insight into that?

Ryan: I got asked a question last week, how do you feel about your goals? I said, yes we need to create more goals and if it gets to the point that I need to look for a new forward I will. Obviously, I'm a hockey coach and I need to look to improve my team in any way shape or form and does that mean I need to bring in another forward? It's tough right now but if we play again like we did tonight then there's no issues.

SWSC: Aaron Nell is in the building tonight...

Ryan: (laughs) Even if he wanted to he wouldn't be allowed back. He's taken his chance and he's doing really well right now. There is no option of that.

SWSC: Looking forward to next weekend and the double header against Bracknell. Now last season we didn't perform too well against them. What's the game plan?

Ryan: The game plan is exactly the same as tonight and as last night. We don't get involved in any of their crap. That's not the style we play and we just ignore it and play hard. If they want to take penalties they can take penalties. Obviously we will be team tough but we are not going out looking to play that style of hockey, we'll play the way we did tonight.

SWSC: Looking around the rest of the league then, Manchester look to be running away with it so far. What's it going to take to beat them?

Ryan: Well, they're a big strong hockey team. Obviously they are going to go through their lulls throughout the season. Well you'd like to think! You have to play super defense. You have to play very smart against them. They're big and strong and some of the goals they scored on us we were just out-muscled. It will be a tough one and only time will tell I guess.

Supporters Player of the Month September: Henri Sandvik

Last Saturday Henri Sandvik was presented with the SWSC Supporters's Player of the Month trophy on behalf of you, the fans. This is Henri's second season with the Cats and he has come back with a bang! So far this season Henri has scored 6 goals and has a total of 7 points.

Speaking to Henri just after the presentation, he said, 'The fans have been great and it is an honour to be their Player of the Month...Every night I try to do my best for the team and for the fans'. 

It seems the fans are enjoying his goal celebrations as much as the goals. Some have chosen unique ways to show their support (you know who you are!)

Henri acknowledged that there is still a lot of work to do for the team to reach their full potential. The new additions are still gelling and they are still forming their bonds as a team. He expressed his gratitude to the fans for their support and continuing to make lots of noise: 'we haven't played as well as we can so big thanks to the fans that they are still cheering us on, giving us some energy'

But noisy fans alone do not bring the goals needed. Looking ahead, Henri said, 'It's important that we stick to the game plan and play the full 60 minutes. That's how we are going to win games...Always at the beginning of the season things are a bit messed, but it will just get better and better'.

Congratulations again to Henri and thank you all for voting!

#loudandproud

Jonas Hoog: It's all about practise!!

Last Saturday Swindon suffered a 4-0 loss to Manchester Phoenix. After the game we sat down with Jonas Hoog to talk about the game, and returning to Swindon without Aaron Nell.

SWSC: Firstly we would like to officially welcome you back to Swindon on behalf of the fans. Can you tell us, what was it that eventually swung your decision to return?

Jonas: I'd been talking to Ryan the whole summer. It's just I've been on the road a long time. I'm starting to get old and I need to start getting my own place and figuring out life afterwards. I didn't find something at home so you know I wanted to come back here.

SWSC: So will you be looking this season to go home eventually?

Jonas: Well sometime. You know, I wanted to stay home all summer and then it got to the end and I thought like, yeah one more year! (Laughs)

SWSC: Last season we saw you play a lot on the line with Aaron Nell. You were a great duo, very compatible. This season there are a lot of new faces. How are you adapting to this?

Jonas: It's all about practise and when you start getting to know guys it's easier to play with them. It's all about practise and playing with each other as much as you can.

SWSC: Do you think you are getting enough practise on ice during the week to achieve that?

Jonas: Maybe not for me but I'm so used to being on ice every day when I'm back home. But it's hard to get ice time in the UK so there's not much you could do.

SWSC: Do you have the opportunity to develop these relationships off ice?

Jonas: Yeah, me and Juha (Silvander) live together. And with the other imports, we go to the gym together every day.

SWSC: Last season your biggest achievement was breaking the 100 point barrier! What is your target for this season?

Jonas: Just winning as many games as we can!

SWSC: Tonight unfortunately was a disappointing loss. What do you think are the biggest lessons Swindon can take from this?

Jonas: Oh a lot, you know I think there is a lot in the D-Zone we can learn. They moved the puck fast and we spent too much time looking at the puck and not keeping up with the guys. We need to practice more in the D-Zone.

SWSC: Who do you think will be Swindon's biggest threat this season?

Jonas: Manchester are looking to be pretty good. Guildford is always up there but Manchester have a really good squad so they're going to be really tough.

SWSC: If you were to say now where you thought Swindon could finish where would it be?

Jonas: First!!

Shane Moore: From Rank and File

At the weekend we sat down with D-Man Shane Moore to talk about his new role as Wildcats captain and the season ahead.

SWSC: When it was announced that you are the new captain how did it make you feel?

Shane: It is a real honour to the named captain of your hometown team. I've played all juniors here and 5 or 6 seasons in the senior team. It's a real honour to be named captain of any team but to be named captain of your hometown team is really something special.

SWSC: What kind of captain are you going to be?

Shane: I'm going to be a very vocal captain. You know I'm not necessarily the best player on the ice but I am the guy who will stand up for his teammates and I'm the guy who's going to tell people when they are doing right and doing wrong. I like to keep a positive bench. You know, Aldy's (Ryan Aldridge) going to be the one shouting at guys and telling them when they are wrong and I am going to be the guy tapping them on the back and picking them back up ready for the next shift.

SWSC: The mantra of the last captain was very much 'lead by example'. Is this something which you are going to follow?

Shane: Aaron (Nell) leads by the way he scores goals and the way he plays. Yeah, I'll do that to a certain degree. Everyone knows I'm not the most naturally gifted player but I'll get stuck in and I'll stick up for my teammates and do my role. Hopefully guys will learn from that but at the same time, like I said, I'm here pick guys up when they are down, give them a tap and keep the bench positive.

SWSC: And take a few punches if necessary?

Shane: Yeah, if I have to I have to! I'm not going to let anyone pick on guys, whether they're Andrew Sharp (Guildford Flames) or whether they're Joe Henry (former Telford Tigers)! It just doesn't matter to me you know, whoever they are if they are taking liberties with the guys I will be the first one there. I don't care if I get put on my ass!!

SWSC: Are you trying to be a bit more clever about it though? What we've noticed is that last season you spent a lot less time in the box.

Shane: Yeah definitely. I've grown up a lot over the last couple of seasons. I think that's one of the reasons Aldy's put the 'C' on my chest. I am one of the guys now who players look up to and I need to be a bit smarter about things. I don't want to be sat in the box costing us penalties and costing us goals when I could be doing a job on the ice just as effectively and still play my game.

SWSC: Last season you fell victim to a bad ankle injury. Is that behind you now?

Shane: I've worked really hard over the summer with the physios, in the gym and at home with ice and rehabilitation so hopefully it is well behind me now and we can crack on with the season.

SWSC: So, is there a particular team which you think is going to be our biggest challenge?

Shane: I'm not really too sure, you know last year we had some trouble with Bracknell because they ran around and tried to bully us a bit and we fell victim to that, but I think this year we have a lot of guys who will play hard and not give in to that. So I can't see them being a problem to us this year, but the skillful teams are going to come in and play their game, we just have to play ours and I think we will be effective against every team.

Three is a Magic Number

We caught up with #18 Loris Taylor after last nights game to speak about scoring the first hat-trick of the season coupled with a well deserved Man of the Match award.

Surprisingly this is Loris's first Man of the Match award in 5 seasons with the club and his first hat-trick with the senior team.

'It really is a special feeling. I came up through the juniors (Wildcats Academy) always scoring, that was my job, then I moved to the seniors and that all changed'

Loris says he has not done anything different to prepare for this season but he knew he had to up his game. He commented that coach Ryan Aldridge did say he expected more from him this season and more he got!

Loris is not going to stop now though, the next step for him is to move his points into the double figures; last season he scored a total of 7 points.

The Double Tap: Getting to know Sandvik and Pekkarinen

Those of you who attended Wednesday nights 4:2 victory over the Slough Jets will no doubt have been impressed by our Finnish duo. With 3 goals between them they set the bar for the season ahead.

Henri Sandvik looked in top form. His whole demeanour projected a mission statement. The best of Henri is yet to come!

Then there is the new kid in town. Aku Pekarinen did not just leave an impression on the crowd. I am sure the Jets will be playing back the moment when he seemingly blinded then with his fancy footwork to slip the puck past a defenceless Rockman.

We caught up with the pair to find out a bit more about the men behind the hockey.

SWSC: Can you tell us, who is your favourite NHL team?

Henri: I like the Anaheim Ducks because Selanne plays there.

Aku: I don't really have one I just like to watch the those where the Finnish guys are playing. I like to back the champions!

SWSC: With you backing us this season is it sign of things to come?

Aku: Going for silverware hopefully!

SWSC: Who is your favourite player of all time, from any league?

Aku: I would say Kimmo Timonen. He's played like 900 games in the NHL. I think he is the captain.

SWSC: Favourite food and drink?

Henri: Pasta Bolognese and milk!

SWSC: Favourite film?

Henri: I like the Hangover, the first episode.

Aku: I have to say the same. And Will Ferrell movies.

Henri: And there is a very good Finnish film, Mukti.

SWSC: So if you weren't a hockey player, what would you do?

Aku: I would be a coach.

Henri: I don't know, maybe a boss!

SWSC: Describe yourself in 3 words or more.

Henri: Fast, Hitting, Team Player, Hard working.

Aku: I would also say hard working and a team player who gives everything.

Take it on the chin!

You can't be blamed for starting this season a little deflated even before the first puck drops. Since Towe's signing was announced at the end of last season he was hailed as 'the one to watch' and the expectation was that he would trail blaze as our star forward this coming season. But Towe is gone and a suitable replacement is nowhere to be seen.

We spoke with the Wildcats player/coach at yesterday's Season launch BBQ to delve into his master plan and find out what we are doing to entice the much needed import to replace Towe.

What struck me was his positivity. Although openly as anxious as the rest of us to complete the line-up he said, 'We want to bring one (import) in as soon as possible. I would think in the next 2 to 3 weeks we will have a guy in... the right guy, a good goal scorer. I am talking to agents daily'.

However, some would say that even if the right guy does join within Aldridge's timescale it is all just too little too late. Weren't we on the hunt all summer for this elusive import? What went wrong?

Aldridge: 'To be honest with you the whole summer I was looking for a winger to player on that line with Jonas, and with Matt Towe leaving, all of a sudden my whole plan, everyone I had been looking at and done my homework on changed because now I need a centre... Losing Matt Towe was such a key factor. It was going to enable us to roll 3 solid lines and go after teams. At one point in the season I was arguing over him and Sam Smith, which one to take. Luckily I got them both.'

So, in the meantime we have our first challenge game this coming Wednesday when we host the Slough Jets. Does the current line up have what it takes to dominant from day 1?

'I've got more than enough guys to do the job... There is a lot of talent on this team and right now every player is fighting for his place... It's going to be fast, entertaining hockey. The way we are going to play, being more direct, should lead to more hitting!'

Face off on Wednesday is at 19.45. See you there!

Welcome to the 2013/14 season!

It has been a long summer but the wait is over.
Hockey is back in Swindon!

Today we were introduced to the 2013/14 Swindon Wildcats, and they are looking good. The biggest news of the day being the announcent that long time Wildcat Shane Moore will wear a 'C' on his shirt this season. Look out for the exclusive SWSC interview with our new captain, coming soon!