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!