SWINDON, UK – As expected things look like they have quieted down with the EPL Playoff Final over and teams retreating into hibernation for the summer. But not so. While there may not appear to be too much activity on the surface, we can be assured things are bubbling along underneath as managers and coaches start the puck rolling with team selection for next season. And the Wildcats are no exception.
The first piece of good news was the announcement that forward Aaron Nell had been named by GB coach Paul Thompson as a reserve for the GB team prior to them flying out to Slovenia to take on Croatia, Korea, Hungary Poland and hosts in Division 1 Group B of the World Championships. Nell was the only EPL player to be named for the squad, so it was quite an honour and achievement.
Although several clubs were quick to make the headlines regarding the signing or re-signing of players, the first news of the Wildcats rebuild came about a week later with the announcement that Czech D-man Jan Krajicek had decided he would not be available to play for the club next season.
Obviously his loss is going to leave a huge hole in the defence, having contributed twelve goals and thirty assists over the season and a terrier-like fighting spirit. But Coach Ryan Aldridge has been around a rink or two and will no doubt fill the gap adequately. Krajicek’s departure was accompanied by a rumour the Jets had shown an interest and a day later the local press reported Krajicek would, in fact, be going to Slough where Coach-of-the-Year Pete Russell had just been reappointed for another season. Rumour had it the Jets would provide housing and a pay rise.
Coach Aldridge said he expected to announce a replacement shortly, and shortly it was because later in the day the first Wildcats’ signing was announced in the shape of D-man Jan Melichar from, oh! Slough where he had played in 52 games for what was for them a very successful season.
Aldridge said Melichar had been his first-choice D-man for four years since previously working under him during his championship year at the Bees, but circumstances had not connected pen to paper until now. Although not a scientific comparison, or even fair for that matter so not intended as a judgement, but as a replacement Melichar’s tally of points is about three-quarters that of Krajicek’s, with one third the penalties. Krajicek had the distinction of holding a team record for the most consecutive games in which a player received a penalty at eleven, and was fifteenth in the league’s penalty receivers.
A couple of days later young James Griffin, just seventeen, and a junior international to boot, became the second signing for the coming season, a reappointment that is sure to meet with the fans’ approval having voted him their player of the season. Griffin also picked up the Players’ Player award and Most Improved Player awards at the end of season bash, so he is no slouch and someone to watch for the future.
Next to make their mark on the dotted line was current netminder Chris Douglas who became the third signing for next season. Douglas is another fan favourite having joined the team around half way through the season to replace the dismissed Geoff Woolhouse. Douglas immediately jumped, and leapt and cavorted straight into the top ten EPL netminders’ chart with a save rate comfortably above the magical 90%, an achievement reached by fewer than ten regular goalies. Coach Aldridge sang his praises, deservedly and as you would expect, and added that further new team announcements would be made next week.
Shortly after, however, a further release was promulgated stating that last year’s captain Lee Richardson had also returned as part of a two-year contract he has with the club. Richardson, one of only four players who iced in every game of the season is a consistent and reliable forward who amassed 42 points last season.
So that’s four in the bag, and we can expect more news soon.
For more Wildcats stats and news take a look at my website – www.swindonwildcats.me.uk
Contact the author Bill.Collins@Prohockeynews.com
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