Wildcats Roundup September 2010

SWINDON, UK –  September, and the final few weeks to complete the roster before the start of the new season. In a surprise eleventh-hour move the Wildcats announced the signing of a fifth import, Slovakian forward Juraj Rusic from local ENL team Oxford Stars who is no stranger to Swindon having previously played for the Wildcats back in 2005-07.
 
A second signing was a young forward from the Swindon junior system, Danny Williams. At the time Coach Ryan Aldridge said, ‘I am sure he will keep the players in our line-up on their toes.’ But, while Rusic materialised when the season finally started, Williams didn’t so at the end of the month I asked the coach what had happened. ‘ Danny has had a knee injury for the last few weeks,’ he said. ‘He has a few other things he needs to sort out and work on at the moment, but the door is open for when he is ready and feels that’s right.’
 
So how did this fit in with another youngster, Graham Newell, appearing on the roster? The coach explained: ‘Graham came into the team as a 6th D, he didn’t replace anyone, he became available, and we came to a deal.’ 
 
With a squad assembled and the days ticking away, the pre-season challenge games took place, the first being against last season’s EPL Champions Slough Jets at the Link. Although the Wildcats were the first to score, in a closely fought game they finally had to settle for a draw. Shortly afterwards the Wildcats faced EPL returnees Telford Tigers at the Link, a prelude to the season’s first fixture. The Tigers’ new captain is Tomas Janak who in another life played for the Wildcats and said of his old team, ‘I had a really good season and was happy there.’ Likewise, Tigers’ forward Marek Hornak, also ex-Swindon said, ‘I liked the environment and fans in Swindon.’
 
The game turned out to be another draw, the teams replaying the second leg the following evening which the Wildcats won 5-3. Coach Aldridge described the game as ‘a good team performance’ highlighted by a hat-trick by new import Jozef Liska. But man-of-the match was debuting backup netminder James Hadfield. ‘James had an outstanding game,’ said Aldridge, ‘none of the three goals we conceded where his fault.’ Later I asked the coach if he could expand. ‘”Hads” impressed me more than I thought possible,’ he explained, ‘not only on but off the ice. He is a young man with a smart and mature head on his shoulders. Being a back-up is a tough job, you get thrown in to a game when the damage is done and he has stepped in and done the team proud when he has had to. At home to Telford he gave us the confidence to add pressure and take the game to them. He will play a big part in Swindon, and I hope not only for this season. He just made the U20 squad and that is another credit to his ability.’ Then came the return leg against the Jets with the Wildcats losing 5-2.
 
Then it was back to the Link and Telford: the season was underway. Coach Aldridge said he had a tougher team this year with more character and leadership, and his aim was a top three spot. New signing Estonian Toio Suursoo, a vital part of this package told the press he was in Swindon for the duration. ‘I will be part of the team and not just come here and then go’, he told the Swindon Adver.
 
The first game of the season was a re-run of the previous Telford game at the Link although the Wildcats were badly shaken to start with when the Tigers roared ahead by. But the Wildcats clawed their way back and overcame a three-goal deficit to win, something they didn’t achieve last year.  
 
The second game, at Bracknell, saw the Wildcats hit by a couple of injuries notably Sam Bullas out for six weeks with a shoulder injury he picked up in a hit in the Tigers’ game, and a ban on Ryan Watt. This bunch of problems saw Ryan Aldridge borrow Watt’s shirt and take to the ice. The move must have surprised many, so I asked the coach if this was a change of plan with him having said his skating days were over. ‘ No, I didn’t want to dress again,’ he admitted. ‘I think you can see that by me not having my own shirt. We have had injuries so I don’t see this as a regular thing. I want to be where it makes our team stronger, and I believe that’s behind the bench. But if at a later date or through injuries it means we are stronger with an extra body then it may change.’ So, the comment leaving the door still cracked open a bit.
 
If so, I wondered, how would the coach maintain his fitness? Would he be able to stay in shape? ‘Would I be in shape?’ he mused. ‘I felt tired in Bracknell and was a little timid about my chest and shoulder but this weekend I started feeling a lot better. I am lucky that I am a lighter guy so it doesn’t take too long to get back to fitness. A lot of people told me not to stop playing so early, but I’m not 26 and not the most talent-gifted hockey player, and my role on the ice gets a little tiring when you get older.’
 
Very open stuff from the coach, so where, I asked, did he actually he see himself in a few years’ time? ‘I have to look out for my future and want that to be in hockey, so if it means getting behind the bench, so be it. I love my job and I love being behind the bench more than playing. It’s what I wanted to do as a kid, I wanted to coach and I wanted to coach my home town team. I came home years before the date I had planned and I’m sure this will not be my last job in hockey, but giving up playing to coach here was no tough task.’
 
And then came the Guildford games. The Surrey side had reinforced their roster over the summer spending money on some impressive talent. Undeterred, Coach Aldridge acknowledged he didn’t have the same budget but added he liked to beat the big spending sides like Guildford because it was more exciting. But it was not to be, on the first two occasions, at least. The first game, however, had to be brought forward a day because the Link was hit by local industrial action by council workers. General Manager Steve Nell said the Link closure was a ‘disaster’ not just for the Wildcats but for hockey at all levels. ‘Every week the strike goes on is less income and we still have to pay all the running costs,’ he complained, and worryingly, if it was to be a protracted problem, ‘It is unlikely we could play after October.’
 
So with the future of the Wildcats suddenly being thrown in to question the mood wasn’t buoyed by the Guildford defeats. After the games Aldridge said, ‘We fell apart from front to back. Our high-pressure players need to step up; they are failing to increase their intensity for the big rivals.’
 
Strong words, so did that mean he could see areas that need some strong tweaking, perhaps? ‘ It’s very early and I am not looking to make changes.’ He replied. ‘Yes I was disappointed by the way we lost to Guildford in their barn, but that’s one game and it’s in our past. I am not going to dwell on it. I have informed the guys I was not happy with, and why. Now we have to move on together.’
 
Ah, but what about Hadfield and Douglas, who had both played their parts in the four games so far? Aldridge replied: ‘The situation is I have to play the goalie that will win us games. Dougie played the two Guildford games because he plays well in the big games. He has not had the start I have wanted but I still know what he is capable of and I am going to stick with him. We have two goalies that can play and they will both get their fair chances, and then it’s there to keep it.’
 
The Manchester Phoenix, who have made a powerful start to the season like the Flames, are the Wildcats’ next home game opponents, and with the Link still subject to possible industrial action. But, fortunately GM Steve Nell was able to confirm that at least this game was on, but that’s for next month.
 
For more news, stats, charts and mailing list updates try my website – www.swindonwildcats.me.uk

Contact the author Bill.Collins@Prohockeynews.com