SWINDON, UK – Former GB Junior international goalie Jamie Thompson believes his Swindon ENL Wildcats side can spring a few surprises this season.
Photo by icehockeyphotography.co.uk
Lost beneath the wave of publicity generated by Bristol Pitbulls Championship winning season in English National League South Division 2, the ENL Wildcats promotion to ENL Division 1 has seemingly gone under the radar. Coupled with a lack of publicity, this has ensured that the Swindon side remain somewhat of a mystery, just weeks before the season is due to start.
Thompson is Swindon born and bred and lists Oxford, Solihull and Guildford amongst his previous clubs. The 32 year old stopper says that despite the lack of fresh personnel, the team will hold their own this season:
“We do not have many new players in the team this year” he says. “But I believe we can hold our own in the league this season. I am not talking about going for the top spot but I do think we will surprise some teams. We play with a lot of heart and that is the back bone of our team”
After 25 years playing in goal, most people would expect Thompson to get sick of being hit by pucks, but he insists that his enthusiasm for the game could not be stronger:
“I am very much looking forward to the new season, and I think it is just what our team needs” Thompson explains. “We have a young team and they need to be pushed. ENL 2 was great but more of a challenge will do us all good,
“I have been playing hockey for so many years now, and I still play for the simple reason that I love it. It’s in my blood and I will play as long I am able to”
Enjoying playing for Oxford
This season will rekindle a rivalry that people in this part of the world take seriously. The Oxford City Stars may be the traditionally poorer relations in hockey terms, but with the second string ENL Wildcats stepping up, the two clubs get chance to battle again. Thompson spent many a happy year with the City Stars and says he can’t wait to face his former club:
“I left the Stars around four years ago to come back to Swindon” says Thompson. “Basically I wanted to be closer to home; my wife and I had just found out that we were about to become parents to twin boys so it made sense,
“I loved every aspect of playing at Oxford from the players to the staff. So playing against them this year will be very strange but, I am looking forward to it”
Swindon have been boosted by the return of prolific scorer Jamie Newton and also the likes of Ryan Burgess and Dan Smith who both found the net on a number of occasions last season.
Swindon ENL Wildcats – Line up so far
Goalies: Jamie Thompson, Kevin McGurk
Defence: Tom Asprey, Brian Clark, Stephen Whitfield, Martyn Grey, Andrew Coakley
Forwards: Ryan Burgess, Alasdair Barrow, James Burnett, Sam Feeney, Ben Lehmann, Louis Neal, Jamie Newton, Grant Richardson, Daniel Smith, Daniel Sullivan, Daniel Petit, John Spence, Zach Sullivan.
Contact the author: david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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