Swindon Wildcats: Difference between revisions
(565 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2013}} |
|||
{{UKIceHockey team | |
|||
{{Use British English|date=December 2013}} |
|||
name = Swindon npower Wildcats| |
|||
{{Pro hockey team |
|||
logo = LogoSwindonWildcats.gif | |
|||
| text_color = white |
|||
league = EPIHL | |
|||
| bg_color = #ed1c24 |
|||
founded = 1986 | |
|||
| team = Swindon Wildcats |
|||
ice = [[Link Centre]] | |
|||
| logo = Swindon Wildcats Logo 2016.png |
|||
capacity = 1250 | |
|||
| logosize = 200px |
|||
ice_size = 184ft x 85ft | |
|||
| city = [[Swindon]], [[Wiltshire]] |
|||
| league = [[National Ice Hockey League|NIHL]] |
|||
colours = White, Teal, and Grey | |
|||
| founded = 1986 |
|||
captain = Wayne Fiddes | |
|||
| arena = [[Link Centre]] |
|||
coach = Peter Russell | |
|||
| colors = Red, White & Black <br />{{color box|#ed1c24}} {{color box|white}} {{color box|black}} |
|||
ownership = Private Limited Company (Swindon Wildcats Limited) | |
|||
| GM = Aaron Nell {{flagicon|England}} |
|||
website = [http://www.swindonwildcats.com/ swindonwildcats.com] |
|||
| coach = Aaron Nell {{flagicon|England}} |
|||
|}} |
|||
| captain = Sam Bullas {{flagicon|England}} |
|||
| media = [http://www.swindonwildcats.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=595&Itemid=127/ Cats TV] |
|||
| affiliates = [[Swindon Wildcats 2]], [[National Ice Hockey League|NIHL 2]]<br> |
|||
Swindon TopCats, WNIHL 1 |
|||
| name1 = Swindon Wildcats |
|||
| dates1 = 1986–1996 |
|||
| name2 = Swindon Ice Lords |
|||
| dates2 = 1996–1997 |
|||
| name3 = Swindon Chill |
|||
| dates3 = 1997–2000 |
|||
| name4 = Swindon Phoenix |
|||
| dates4 = 2000–2001 |
|||
| name5 = Swindon Lynx |
|||
| dates5 = 2001–2004 |
|||
| name6 = Swindon Wildcats |
|||
| dates6 = 2004 – ''present'' |
|||
| reg_season_titles = '''3''' (1996/97), (2000/01), (2018/19) |
|||
| autumn_cups = '''3''' (1991), (2017), (2021) |
|||
| championships1_type = Premier Cups |
|||
| championships1 = '''1''' (2017/18) |
|||
|division=National League}} |
|||
The '''Swindon Wildcats''' are a professional [[ice hockey]] team based in [[Swindon]], Wiltshire, England. They play in the [[National Ice Hockey League]] (NIHL). Since their inception, the Wildcats have played their home games at the 1600-capacity [[Link Centre]] in [[West Swindon]]. The club was founded in 1986 as the '''Swindon Wildcats''', shortly after the opening of the Link Centre. |
|||
'''Swindon npower Wildcats''' are an Ice Hockey team; they were originally formed with this name in 1986 as a council-operated venture before being privatised in the early 90s. Changes in ownership led to a name change for the 1996/97 season ([[Swindon IceLords]]). Subsequent owners in a short period of time saw several different clubs play out of the Swindon rink, including [[Swindon Chill]] (1998-2000), [[Swindon Phoenix]] (2000-2001) and [[Swindon Lynx]] (2001-2004). |
|||
The Wildcats were members of the [[English Premier Ice Hockey League]] (EPIHL) from 1997 to 2017. Due to the instability of the EPIHL following the culmination of the 2016–17 season, the Swindon Wildcats announced their intention to join the National League.<ref>{{cite news|title=Club Statement|url=http://www.swindonwildcats.com/news/1243/club-statement-18-04-2017.html#.WPZzy2dw_Gh|work=Swindon Wildcats|access-date=18 April 2017}}</ref> |
|||
Former player Steve Nell, referee Mark Thompson, and encumbent volunteers secured the operation of the team in 2004, immediately reverting the club to their original name much to the delight of the resurgent fan-base. |
|||
In their first season competing in the National League, the Wildcats won both the Autumn Cup and National Cup competitions, securing the club's first silverware since the 2000–01 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/icehockey/16160956.national-cup-final-swindon-wildcats-4-6-sheffield-steeldogs-2-4/|title=NATIONAL CUP FINAL: Swindon Wildcats 4 (6) Sheffield Steeldogs 2 (4)|website=Swindon Advertiser|language=en|access-date=2018-07-23}}</ref> |
|||
Sponsored by national energy company, RWE npower plc, the npower Wildcats compete in the English Premier Ice Hockey League. |
|||
The following year the Wildcats won the regular season, becoming the 2018/2019 champions. |
|||
== |
==Logos and uniforms== |
||
COACHING STAFF |
|||
HC {{flagicon|Scotland}} Peter Russell |
|||
Equipment {{flagicon|England}} Thomas Long |
|||
===Logo=== |
|||
GOALTENDERS |
|||
01 {{flagicon|Wales}} Nathan Craze |
|||
35 {{flagicon|England}}Buff - Joe White |
|||
The Wildcats' logo is an animated wildcat in the team colours of red and white. |
|||
FORWARDS |
|||
12 {{flagicon|England}} Adam Brittle |
|||
11 {{flagicon|England}} Matthew Davies |
|||
16 {{flagicon|England}} Lee Richardson |
|||
13 {{flagicon|Wales}} Jamie Hayes |
|||
22 {{flagicon|England}} Robin Davison |
|||
25 {{flagicon|Canada}} John Weaton |
|||
23 {{flagicon|Canada}} Joel Petkoff |
|||
18 {{flagicon|England}} Shannon Taylor |
|||
39 {{flagicon|England}} Ciaran Long |
|||
89 {{flagicon|England}} MVP AND PLAYER OF THE SEASON JACK STAGG |
|||
DEFENDERS |
|||
'''53''' {{flagicon|England}} '''Captain Wayne Fiddes''' |
|||
88 {{flagicon|England}} Shane Moore |
|||
51 {{flagicon|England}} Michael Holland |
|||
41 {{flagicon|Slovakia}} Tomas Janak |
|||
84 {{flagicon|Slovakia}} Jan Vrtik |
|||
55 {{flagicon|England}} Michael Farn |
|||
===Jerseys=== |
|||
MASCOT |
|||
00 {{flagicon|England}} Willie Wildcat |
|||
The [[Hockey jersey|jerseys]] currently worn by the Swindon Wildcats are in red and white,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/icehockey/15305562.New_change_to_Wildcats__next_league_campaign/|title=New change to Wildcats' next league campaign|last=Houlihan|first=Owen|date=24 May 2017|website=Swindon Advertiser|language=en|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref> the colours sported by the team since the 2008–2009 relaunch. They have worn the same jerseys (with a few small variations) since the 2008–2009 season. For the 2019/20 campaign, the Wildcats will have an alternate jersey that is predominantly black with red motifs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.swindonwildcats.com/news/1783/wildcats-reveal-19-20-jersey-design.html#.XTSGqpNKjmE|title=Wildcats reveal 19/20 jersey design|website=Swindon Wildcats|date=12 July 2019|language=en|access-date=17 July 2019}}</ref> |
|||
NICKNAMES |
|||
01 Crazey |
|||
The first Wildcats colours were black, yellow, orange and white. Blue and white were worn in 2006 and 2007. |
|||
12 Brit |
|||
13 Hazey |
|||
===Mascot=== |
|||
53 Fiddsey |
|||
23 Pecker |
|||
The official mascot for the Swindon Wildcats is an [[anthropomorphized]] wildcat by the name of Scratch. Scratch took over from his cousin Willie Wildcats during the 2021/22 Season. Willie Wildcat had been the mascot for the 'Cats since their return to the Wildcats name in 2004, after three seasons as the Lynx. However, he retired after a successful career at the Better Link Centre.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://swindonwildcats.com/post/willie-wildcat-announces-retirement/ | title=Willie Wildcat Announces Retirement – Swindon Wildcats }}</ref> |
|||
39 Stringbean |
|||
== Season-by-season record<ref>Eliteprospects.com (http://www.eliteprospects.com/team.php?team=1372&year0=2012)</ref> == |
|||
<!--== External links ==--> |
|||
{| class="wikitable" |
|||
|- style="font-weight:bold; background-color:#dddddd;" | |
|||
|'''Season''' || '''League''' || '''[[Games played|GP]]''' || '''[[Victory|W]]''' || '''L''' || '''[[Overtime (ice hockey)|OT]][[Victory|W]]''' || '''[[Overtime (ice hockey)|OT]]L''' || '''[[Point (ice hockey)|Pts.]]''' || Rank || [[Playoffs|Post Season]] |
|||
|- |
|||
|2007–2008 || EPIHL || 40 || 16 || 20 || 1 || 3 || 37 || 7th || Qualification |
|||
|- |
|||
|2008–2009 || EPIHL || 54 || 21 || 29 || 2 || 2 || 48 || 8th || Quarter-Final Loss |
|||
|- |
|||
|2009–2010 || EPIHL || 54 || 12 || 31 || 4 || 7 || 39 || 8th || Semi-Final Loss |
|||
|- |
|||
|2010–2011 || EPIHL || 54 || 16 || 31 || 3 || 4 || 42 || 7th || Quarter-Final Loss |
|||
|- |
|||
|2011–2012 || EPIHL || 54 || 25 || 23 || 0 || 6 || 56 || 7th || Quarter-Final Loss |
|||
|- |
|||
|2012–2013 || EPIHL || 54 || 20 || 22 || 1 || 11 || 53 || 7th || Quarter-Final Loss |
|||
|- |
|||
|2013–2014 |
|||
|EPIHL |
|||
|54 |
|||
|23 |
|||
|23 |
|||
|6 |
|||
|2 |
|||
|60 |
|||
|5th |
|||
|Semi-Final Loss |
|||
|- |
|||
|2014–2015 |
|||
|EPIHL |
|||
|48 |
|||
|24 |
|||
|20 |
|||
|4 |
|||
|0 |
|||
|56 |
|||
|5th |
|||
|Quarter-Final Loss |
|||
|- |
|||
|2015–2016 |
|||
|EPIHL |
|||
|54 |
|||
|30 |
|||
|19 |
|||
| – |
|||
|5 |
|||
|65 |
|||
|6th |
|||
|Quarter-Final Loss |
|||
|- |
|||
|2016–2017 |
|||
|EPIHL |
|||
|48 |
|||
|22 |
|||
|22 |
|||
| – |
|||
|4 |
|||
|48 |
|||
|6th |
|||
|Qualification |
|||
|- |
|||
|2017–2018 |
|||
|NIHL S1 |
|||
|32 |
|||
|18 |
|||
|6 |
|||
|4 |
|||
|4 |
|||
|48 |
|||
|3rd |
|||
|Conf QF Loss |
|||
|- |
|||
|2018–2019 |
|||
|NIHL S1 |
|||
|42 |
|||
|31 |
|||
|7 |
|||
|1 |
|||
|3 |
|||
|67 |
|||
|Champions |
|||
|Conf SF Loss |
|||
|} |
|||
==Club roster 2022–23<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/1372/swindon-wildcats|title=Swindon Wildcats – Elite Prospects|website=www.eliteprospects.com}}</ref>== |
|||
('''*''') Denotes a Non-British Trained player (Import) |
|||
{| class="toccolours" style="width:97%; clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;" |
|||
|- |
|||
! colspan="11" style="background:#ed1c24; color:#FFFFFF;"| Netminders |
|||
|- style="background:#ddd;" |
|||
!width=5%|No. |
|||
!width=5%|Nat. |
|||
!!width=22%|Player |
|||
!width=7%|Catches |
|||
!width=16%|Date of birth |
|||
!width=20%|Place of birth |
|||
!width=24%|Acquired |
|||
|'''Contract''' |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''30''' |
|||
| {{flagicon|SCO}} |
|||
| align=left| Renny Marr |
|||
| L |
|||
| align=left| {{Birth date and age|1997|10|08|df=yes}} |
|||
| align=left| [[Lochgelly]], Scotland |
|||
| align=left| 2017 from [[Coventry Blaze]] |
|||
|22/23 |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''45''' |
|||
| {{flagicon|ENG}} |
|||
| align=left| Dean Skinns |
|||
| L |
|||
| align=left| {{Birth date and age|1984|10|03|df=yes}} |
|||
| align=left| [[Basingstoke]], England |
|||
| align=left| 2021 from [[Milton Keynes Lightning|MK Lightning]] |
|||
|22/23 |
|||
|} |
|||
{| class="toccolours" style="width:97%; clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;" |
|||
|- |
|||
! colspan="11" style="background:#ed1c24; color:#FFFFFF;"| Defencemen |
|||
|- style="background:#ddd;" |
|||
!width=5%|No. |
|||
!width=5%|Nat. |
|||
!!width=22%|Player |
|||
!width=7%|Shoots |
|||
!width=16%|Date of birth |
|||
!width=20%|Place of birth |
|||
!width=24%|Acquired |
|||
|'''Contract''' |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''4''' |
|||
| {{flagicon|England}} |
|||
| align=left| Oliver Stone |
|||
| L |
|||
| align=left| {{Birth date and age|1998|07|26|df=yes}} |
|||
| align=left| [[Swindon]], England |
|||
| align=left| 2022 from [[Basingstoke Bison]] |
|||
|22/23 |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''24''' |
|||
| {{flagicon|Scotland}} |
|||
| align=left| Tyler Plews [[Captain (ice hockey)|'''<nowiki/>'A'''']] |
|||
| R |
|||
| align=left| {{Birth date and age|1997|09|13|df=yes}} |
|||
| align=left| [[Kirkcaldy]], Scotland |
|||
| align=left| 2018 from [[Edinburgh Capitals]] |
|||
|23/24 |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''28''' |
|||
| {{flagicon|ENG}} |
|||
| align=left| Stevie Whitfield |
|||
| R |
|||
| align=left| {{Birth date and age|1990|10|12|df=yes}} |
|||
| align=left| [[Swindon]], England |
|||
| align=left| 2007 from Swindon Cougars |
|||
|22/23 |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''61''' |
|||
| {{flagicon|ENG}} |
|||
| align=left| Sam Godfrey |
|||
| R |
|||
| align=left| {{Birth date and age|1994|02|02|df=yes}} |
|||
| align=left| [[Swindon]], England |
|||
| align=left| 2018 from [[Guildford Flames]] |
|||
|22/23 |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''77''' |
|||
| {{flagicon|ENG}} |
|||
| align=left| Ben Nethersell |
|||
| R |
|||
| align=left| {{Birth date and age|1998|01|5|df=yes}} |
|||
| align=left| [[Worthing]], England |
|||
| align=left| 2013 from Okanagan Hockey Academy UK |
|||
|22/23 |
|||
|} |
|||
{|class="toccolours" style="width:97%; clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;" |
|||
|- |
|||
! colspan="11" style="background:#ed1c24; color:#FFFFFF;"| Forwards |
|||
|- style="background:#ddd;" |
|||
!width=5%|No. |
|||
!width=5%|Nat. |
|||
!!width=22%|Player |
|||
!width=7%|Shoots |
|||
!width=16%|Date of birth |
|||
!width=20%|Place of birth |
|||
!width=24%|Acquired |
|||
|'''Contract''' |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''3''' |
|||
| {{flagicon|Hungary}}{{flagicon|UK}} |
|||
| align=left| Bálint Pákozdi |
|||
| L |
|||
| align=left| {{Birth date and age|1999|05|03|df=yes}} |
|||
| align=left| [[Budapest]], Hungary |
|||
| align=left| 2021 from [[New Hampshire Junior Monarchs]] |
|||
|22/23 |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''11''' |
|||
| {{flagicon|WAL}} |
|||
| align=left| Chris Jones [[Captain (ice hockey)|'''<nowiki/>'A'''']] |
|||
| R |
|||
| align=left| {{Birth date and age|1991|1|4|df=yes}} |
|||
| align=left| [[Cardiff]], Wales |
|||
| align=left| 2017 from [[Cardiff Devils]] |
|||
|22/23 |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''12''' |
|||
| {{flagicon|ENG}} |
|||
| align=left| Floyd Taylor |
|||
| L |
|||
| align=left| {{Birth date and age|1995|03|28|df=yes}} |
|||
| align=left| [[Swindon]], England |
|||
| align=left| 2011 from Swindon Leopards |
|||
|22/23 |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''13''' |
|||
| {{flagicon|ENG}} |
|||
| align=left| Sam Bullas [[Captain (ice hockey)|'''<nowiki/>'C'''']] |
|||
| R |
|||
| align=left| {{Birth date and age|1990|09|20|df=yes}} |
|||
| align=left| [[Nottingham]], England |
|||
| align=left| 2010 from [[Nottingham Panthers]] |
|||
|22/23 |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''16''' |
|||
| {{flagicon|ENG}} |
|||
| align=left| Reed Sayers |
|||
| R |
|||
| align=left| {{Birth date and age|2001|05|9|df=yes}} |
|||
| align=left| [[Swindon]], England |
|||
| align=left| 2018 from [[Cardiff Fire]] |
|||
|22/23 |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''18''' |
|||
| {{flagicon|ENG}} |
|||
| align=left| Loris Taylor |
|||
| L |
|||
| align=left| {{Birth date and age|1993|08|01|df=yes}} |
|||
| align=left| [[Swindon]], England |
|||
| align=left| 2022 from [[Bristol Pitbulls]] |
|||
|22/23 |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''19''' |
|||
| {{flagicon|ENG}} |
|||
| align=left| Aaron Nell |
|||
| L |
|||
| align=left| {{Birth date and age|1989|10|22|df=yes}} |
|||
| align=left| [[Swindon]], England |
|||
| align=left| 2013 from [[Sheffield Steelers]] |
|||
|22/23 |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''37''' |
|||
| {{flagicon|ENG}} |
|||
| align=left| Jack Goodchild |
|||
| R |
|||
| align=left| {{Birth date and age|2002|10|14|df=yes}} |
|||
| align=left| [[Winchester]], England |
|||
| align=left| 2021 from Okanagan Hockey Academy UK |
|||
|22/23 |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''71''' |
|||
| {{flagicon|Latvia}} |
|||
| align=left| Edgars Bebris |
|||
| L |
|||
| align=left| {{Birth date and age|1991|08|7|df=yes}} |
|||
| align=left| [[Aizkraukle]], Latvia |
|||
| align=left| 2021 from [[MK Lightning]] |
|||
|22/23 |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''89''' |
|||
| {{flagicon|Poland}} |
|||
| align=left| Tomasz Malasinski'''*''' |
|||
| L |
|||
| align=left| {{Birth date and age|1986|8|23|df=yes}} |
|||
| align=left| [[Nowy Targ]], Poland |
|||
| align=left| 2019 from [[GKS Katowice (ice hockey)|KH GKS Katowice]] |
|||
|23/24 |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''91''' |
|||
| {{flagicon|Canada}} |
|||
| align=left| Colby Tower'''*''' |
|||
| R |
|||
| align=left| {{Birth date and age|1997|02|12|df=yes}} |
|||
| align=left| [[Inverness County, Nova Scotia|Troy]], [[Nova Scotia|NS]], Canada |
|||
| align=left| 2022 from [[Nipissing Lakers men's ice hockey|Nipissing University]] |
|||
|22/23 |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
| |
|||
| {{flagicon|ENG}} |
|||
| align=left| Russell Cowley |
|||
| L |
|||
| align=left| {{Birth date and age|1983|08|12|df=yes}} |
|||
| align=left| [[Edmonton]], [[Alberta|AB]], Canada |
|||
| align=left| 2022 from [[Milton Keynes Lightning|MK Lightning]] |
|||
|22/23 |
|||
|} |
|||
{| class="toccolours" style="width:97%; clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;" |
|||
! colspan="11" style="background:#ed1c24; color: white;”" |Team Staff |
|||
|- style="background:#ddd;" |
|||
! width="5%" |No. |
|||
! width="5%" |Nat. |
|||
!Name |
|||
! width="7%" |Acquired |
|||
! width="16%" |Position |
|||
! width="20%" |Place of birth |
|||
! width="24%" |Joined From |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''19''' |
|||
|{{flagicon|England}} |
|||
| align="left" |Aaron Nell |
|||
|2015 |
|||
| align="left" |General Manager & Player-Coach |
|||
| align="left" |[[Swindon]], [[England]] |
|||
| align="left" |Okanagan Hockey Academy U18 |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''N/A''' |
|||
|{{flagicon|England}} |
|||
| align="left" |Lee Richardson |
|||
|2019 |
|||
| align="left" |Assistant coach |
|||
| align="left" |[[Swindon]], [[England]] |
|||
| align="left" |[[Oxford City Stars]], [[National Ice Hockey League|NIHL 2]] |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''N/A''' |
|||
|{{flagicon|England}} |
|||
| align="left" |Pete Bradford |
|||
|2010 |
|||
| align="left" |Equipment Manager |
|||
| align="left" |[[England]] |
|||
| align="left" | |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''N/A''' |
|||
|{{flagicon|England}} |
|||
| align="left" |Steve Bradford |
|||
|2014 |
|||
| align="left" |Equipment Manager |
|||
| align="left" |[[England]] |
|||
| align="left" | |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''N/A''' |
|||
|{{flagicon|England}} |
|||
| align="left" |Mark Thorne |
|||
|2014 |
|||
| align="left" |Assistant Equipment Manager |
|||
| align="left" |[[England]] |
|||
| align="left" | |
|||
|} |
|||
==2022/23 Outgoing== |
|||
{| class="toccolours" style="width:97%; clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;" |
|||
|+ |
|||
|- |
|||
! colspan="11" style="background:#ed1c24; color:white;" | Outgoing |
|||
|- style="background:#ddd;" |
|||
! width="5%" |No. |
|||
! width="5%" |Nat. |
|||
! !width="22%" |Player |
|||
! width="7%" |Shoots |
|||
! width="16%" |Date of birth |
|||
! width="20%" |Place of birth |
|||
! width="24%" |Leaving For |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''27''' |
|||
|{{flagicon|England}} |
|||
| align="left" | Joshua Shaw |
|||
|R |
|||
| align="left" | {{Birth date and age|2005|10|21|df=yes}} |
|||
| align="left" | [[Frimley]], England |
|||
| align="left" | [[Bristol Pitbulls]] |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''38''' |
|||
|{{flagicon|Czechia}} |
|||
| align="left" | Emil Svec |
|||
|L |
|||
| align="left" | {{Birth date and age|1994|07|12|df=yes}} |
|||
| align="left" | [[Milevsko]], Czechia |
|||
| align="left" | [[Hull Seahawks]] |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''41''' |
|||
|{{flagicon|England}} |
|||
| align="left" | Oliver Endicott |
|||
|L |
|||
| align="left" | {{Birth date and age|2004|06|10|df=yes}} |
|||
| align="left" | [[Swindon]], England |
|||
| align="left" | [[Iisalmen Peli-Karhut]] U20 |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''44''' |
|||
|{{flagicon|England}} |
|||
| align="left" | Neil Liddiard |
|||
|R |
|||
| align="left" | {{Birth date and age|1978|05|07|df=yes}} |
|||
| align="left" | [[Swindon]], England |
|||
| align="left" | [[Chelmsford Chieftains]] |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''73''' |
|||
|{{flagicon|Wales}} |
|||
| align="left" | Sam Smith |
|||
|R |
|||
| align="left" | {{Birth date and age|2001|09|02|df=yes}} |
|||
| align="left" | [[Cardiff]], Wales |
|||
| align="left" | [[Bristol Pitbulls]] |
|||
|- style="background:#eee;" |
|||
|'''94''' |
|||
|{{flagicon|England}} |
|||
| align="left" | Declan Balmer |
|||
|L |
|||
| align="left" | {{Birth date and age|1995|06|09|df=yes}} |
|||
| align="left" |[[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]], England |
|||
| align="left" |[[Hull Seahawks]] |
|||
|} |
|||
==Retired numbers== |
|||
'''6''' {{Flagicon|England}} Lee Brathwaite, D, 1992–1997, 1998–2009 |
|||
'''7''' {{Flagicon|Canada}} Bryan Larkin, D, 1991–2001 |
|||
'''9''' {{Flagicon|Canada}} Gary Dickie, F, 1993–1997 |
|||
'''10''' {{Flagicon|England}} Steve Nell, F, 1986–1988, 1990–1996, 1997–1998, General Manager 2004–2021 (Now Managing Director) |
|||
'''14''' {{Flagicon|Canada}} [[Daryl Lipsey]], F, 1986–1995 |
|||
'''15''' {{Flagicon|Canada}} Scott Koberinski, F, 1989–1993 |
|||
'''17''' {{Flagicon|England}} Ian Richards, F, 1987–1999 |
|||
== See also == |
|||
* [[Swindon Wildcats NIHL]] – amateur affiliated team playing in National Ice Hockey League South Division 2 |
|||
==References== |
|||
{{Reflist}} |
|||
==External links== |
|||
*{{Official website|http://www.swindonwildcats.com/}} |
|||
*[http://swindonwildcatsacademy.com/ Swindon Wildcats Academy] |
|||
{{British ice hockey}} |
{{British ice hockey}} |
||
{{Authority control}} |
|||
[[Category:Ice hockey teams in England]] |
[[Category:Ice hockey teams in England]] |
||
[[Category:Sport in Swindon]] |
[[Category:Sport in Swindon]] |
||
[[Category:Ice hockey clubs established in 1986]] |
|||
[[Category:EPIHL teams]] |
|||
{{Euro-icehockey-team-stub}} |
|||
[[Category:1986 establishments in England]] |
Latest revision as of 14:06, 11 March 2024
Swindon Wildcats | |
---|---|
City | Swindon, Wiltshire |
League | NIHL |
Division | National League |
Founded | 1986 |
Home arena | Link Centre |
Colors | Red, White & Black |
General manager | Aaron Nell |
Head coach | Aaron Nell |
Captain | Sam Bullas |
Media | Cats TV |
Affiliates | Swindon Wildcats 2, NIHL 2 Swindon TopCats, WNIHL 1 |
Franchise history | |
1986–1996 | Swindon Wildcats |
1996–1997 | Swindon Ice Lords |
1997–2000 | Swindon Chill |
2000–2001 | Swindon Phoenix |
2001–2004 | Swindon Lynx |
2004 – present | Swindon Wildcats |
Championships | |
Regular season titles | 3 (1996/97), (2000/01), (2018/19) |
Autumn Cups | 3 (1991), (2017), (2021) |
Premier Cups | 1 (2017/18) |
The Swindon Wildcats are a professional ice hockey team based in Swindon, Wiltshire, England. They play in the National Ice Hockey League (NIHL). Since their inception, the Wildcats have played their home games at the 1600-capacity Link Centre in West Swindon. The club was founded in 1986 as the Swindon Wildcats, shortly after the opening of the Link Centre.
The Wildcats were members of the English Premier Ice Hockey League (EPIHL) from 1997 to 2017. Due to the instability of the EPIHL following the culmination of the 2016–17 season, the Swindon Wildcats announced their intention to join the National League.[1]
In their first season competing in the National League, the Wildcats won both the Autumn Cup and National Cup competitions, securing the club's first silverware since the 2000–01 season.[2] The following year the Wildcats won the regular season, becoming the 2018/2019 champions.
Logos and uniforms[edit]
Logo[edit]
The Wildcats' logo is an animated wildcat in the team colours of red and white.
Jerseys[edit]
The jerseys currently worn by the Swindon Wildcats are in red and white,[3] the colours sported by the team since the 2008–2009 relaunch. They have worn the same jerseys (with a few small variations) since the 2008–2009 season. For the 2019/20 campaign, the Wildcats will have an alternate jersey that is predominantly black with red motifs.[4]
The first Wildcats colours were black, yellow, orange and white. Blue and white were worn in 2006 and 2007.
Mascot[edit]
The official mascot for the Swindon Wildcats is an anthropomorphized wildcat by the name of Scratch. Scratch took over from his cousin Willie Wildcats during the 2021/22 Season. Willie Wildcat had been the mascot for the 'Cats since their return to the Wildcats name in 2004, after three seasons as the Lynx. However, he retired after a successful career at the Better Link Centre.[5]
Season-by-season record[6][edit]
Season | League | GP | W | L | OTW | OTL | Pts. | Rank | Post Season |
2007–2008 | EPIHL | 40 | 16 | 20 | 1 | 3 | 37 | 7th | Qualification |
2008–2009 | EPIHL | 54 | 21 | 29 | 2 | 2 | 48 | 8th | Quarter-Final Loss |
2009–2010 | EPIHL | 54 | 12 | 31 | 4 | 7 | 39 | 8th | Semi-Final Loss |
2010–2011 | EPIHL | 54 | 16 | 31 | 3 | 4 | 42 | 7th | Quarter-Final Loss |
2011–2012 | EPIHL | 54 | 25 | 23 | 0 | 6 | 56 | 7th | Quarter-Final Loss |
2012–2013 | EPIHL | 54 | 20 | 22 | 1 | 11 | 53 | 7th | Quarter-Final Loss |
2013–2014 | EPIHL | 54 | 23 | 23 | 6 | 2 | 60 | 5th | Semi-Final Loss |
2014–2015 | EPIHL | 48 | 24 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 56 | 5th | Quarter-Final Loss |
2015–2016 | EPIHL | 54 | 30 | 19 | – | 5 | 65 | 6th | Quarter-Final Loss |
2016–2017 | EPIHL | 48 | 22 | 22 | – | 4 | 48 | 6th | Qualification |
2017–2018 | NIHL S1 | 32 | 18 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 48 | 3rd | Conf QF Loss |
2018–2019 | NIHL S1 | 42 | 31 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 67 | Champions | Conf SF Loss |
Club roster 2022–23[7][edit]
(*) Denotes a Non-British Trained player (Import)
Netminders | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Nat. | Player | Catches | Date of birth | Place of birth | Acquired | Contract | |||
30 | Renny Marr | L | 8 October 1997 | Lochgelly, Scotland | 2017 from Coventry Blaze | 22/23 | ||||
45 | Dean Skinns | L | 3 October 1984 | Basingstoke, England | 2021 from MK Lightning | 22/23 |
Defencemen | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Nat. | Player | Shoots | Date of birth | Place of birth | Acquired | Contract | |||
4 | Oliver Stone | L | 26 July 1998 | Swindon, England | 2022 from Basingstoke Bison | 22/23 | ||||
24 | Tyler Plews 'A' | R | 13 September 1997 | Kirkcaldy, Scotland | 2018 from Edinburgh Capitals | 23/24 | ||||
28 | Stevie Whitfield | R | 12 October 1990 | Swindon, England | 2007 from Swindon Cougars | 22/23 | ||||
61 | Sam Godfrey | R | 2 February 1994 | Swindon, England | 2018 from Guildford Flames | 22/23 | ||||
77 | Ben Nethersell | R | 5 January 1998 | Worthing, England | 2013 from Okanagan Hockey Academy UK | 22/23 |
Forwards | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Nat. | Player | Shoots | Date of birth | Place of birth | Acquired | Contract | |||
3 | Bálint Pákozdi | L | 3 May 1999 | Budapest, Hungary | 2021 from New Hampshire Junior Monarchs | 22/23 | ||||
11 | Chris Jones 'A' | R | 4 January 1991 | Cardiff, Wales | 2017 from Cardiff Devils | 22/23 | ||||
12 | Floyd Taylor | L | 28 March 1995 | Swindon, England | 2011 from Swindon Leopards | 22/23 | ||||
13 | Sam Bullas 'C' | R | 20 September 1990 | Nottingham, England | 2010 from Nottingham Panthers | 22/23 | ||||
16 | Reed Sayers | R | 9 May 2001 | Swindon, England | 2018 from Cardiff Fire | 22/23 | ||||
18 | Loris Taylor | L | 1 August 1993 | Swindon, England | 2022 from Bristol Pitbulls | 22/23 | ||||
19 | Aaron Nell | L | 22 October 1989 | Swindon, England | 2013 from Sheffield Steelers | 22/23 | ||||
37 | Jack Goodchild | R | 14 October 2002 | Winchester, England | 2021 from Okanagan Hockey Academy UK | 22/23 | ||||
71 | Edgars Bebris | L | 7 August 1991 | Aizkraukle, Latvia | 2021 from MK Lightning | 22/23 | ||||
89 | Tomasz Malasinski* | L | 23 August 1986 | Nowy Targ, Poland | 2019 from KH GKS Katowice | 23/24 | ||||
91 | Colby Tower* | R | 12 February 1997 | Troy, NS, Canada | 2022 from Nipissing University | 22/23 | ||||
Russell Cowley | L | 12 August 1983 | Edmonton, AB, Canada | 2022 from MK Lightning | 22/23 |
Team Staff | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Nat. | Name | Acquired | Position | Place of birth | Joined From | ||||
19 | Aaron Nell | 2015 | General Manager & Player-Coach | Swindon, England | Okanagan Hockey Academy U18 | |||||
N/A | Lee Richardson | 2019 | Assistant coach | Swindon, England | Oxford City Stars, NIHL 2 | |||||
N/A | Pete Bradford | 2010 | Equipment Manager | England | ||||||
N/A | Steve Bradford | 2014 | Equipment Manager | England | ||||||
N/A | Mark Thorne | 2014 | Assistant Equipment Manager | England |
2022/23 Outgoing[edit]
Outgoing | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Nat. | Player | Shoots | Date of birth | Place of birth | Leaving For | ||||
27 | Joshua Shaw | R | 21 October 2005 | Frimley, England | Bristol Pitbulls | |||||
38 | Emil Svec | L | 12 July 1994 | Milevsko, Czechia | Hull Seahawks | |||||
41 | Oliver Endicott | L | 10 June 2004 | Swindon, England | Iisalmen Peli-Karhut U20 | |||||
44 | Neil Liddiard | R | 7 May 1978 | Swindon, England | Chelmsford Chieftains | |||||
73 | Sam Smith | R | 2 September 2001 | Cardiff, Wales | Bristol Pitbulls | |||||
94 | Declan Balmer | L | 9 June 1995 | Hull, England | Hull Seahawks |
Retired numbers[edit]
6 Lee Brathwaite, D, 1992–1997, 1998–2009
10 Steve Nell, F, 1986–1988, 1990–1996, 1997–1998, General Manager 2004–2021 (Now Managing Director)
14 Daryl Lipsey, F, 1986–1995
15 Scott Koberinski, F, 1989–1993
See also[edit]
- Swindon Wildcats NIHL – amateur affiliated team playing in National Ice Hockey League South Division 2
References[edit]
- ^ "Club Statement". Swindon Wildcats. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
- ^ "NATIONAL CUP FINAL: Swindon Wildcats 4 (6) Sheffield Steeldogs 2 (4)". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ Houlihan, Owen (24 May 2017). "New change to Wildcats' next league campaign". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- ^ "Wildcats reveal 19/20 jersey design". Swindon Wildcats. 12 July 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
- ^ "Willie Wildcat Announces Retirement – Swindon Wildcats".
- ^ Eliteprospects.com (http://www.eliteprospects.com/team.php?team=1372&year0=2012)
- ^ "Swindon Wildcats – Elite Prospects". www.eliteprospects.com.