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Swindon Wildcats

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}

{{Use British English|date=December 2013}}

{{Infobox ice hockey team

| text_color = white

| bg_color = #ed1c24

| team = Swindon Wildcats

| logo = Swindon Wildcats Logo 2016.png

| logosize = 200px

| city = Swindon, Wiltshire

| league = NIHL

| founded = 1986

| arena = Link Centre

| colors = Red, White & Black
{{color box|#ed1c24}} {{color box|white}} {{color box|black}}

| GM = Aaron Nell {{flagicon|England}}

| 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, NIHL 2

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.

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.{{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}}

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.{{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}}

The following year the Wildcats won the regular season, becoming the 2018/2019 champions.

Logos and uniforms

=Logo=

The Wildcats' logo is an animated wildcat in the team colours of red and white.

=Jerseys=

The jerseys currently worn by the Swindon Wildcats are in red and white,{{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}} 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.{{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}}

The first Wildcats colours were black, yellow, orange and white. Blue and white were worn in 2006 and 2007.

=Mascot=

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.{{cite web | url=https://swindonwildcats.com/post/willie-wildcat-announces-retirement/ | title=Willie Wildcat Announces Retirement – Swindon Wildcats }}

Season-by-season record<ref>Eliteprospects.com (http://www.eliteprospects.com/team.php?team=1372&year0=2012)</ref>

class="wikitable"
style="font-weight:bold; background-color:#dddddd;" |

|Season

LeagueGPWLOTWOTLPts.RankPost Season
2007–2008EPIHL40162013377thQualification
2008–2009EPIHL54212922488thQuarter-Final Loss
2009–2010EPIHL54123147398thSemi-Final Loss
2010–2011EPIHL54163134427thQuarter-Final Loss
2011–2012EPIHL54252306567thQuarter-Final Loss
2012–2013EPIHL542022111537thQuarter-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=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 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 '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 '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 '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 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| Troy, NS, Canada

| align=left| 2022 from 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, Canada

| align=left| 2022 from 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, 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" |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}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Ice hockey teams in England

Category:Sport in Swindon

Category:Ice hockey clubs established in 1986

Category:EPIHL teams

Category:1986 establishments in England