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 1000+ capacity Link Centre in West Swindon. The club was founded in 1986 as the Swindon Wildcats, shortly after the opening of the Link Centre in 1985.
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.
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. The following year the Wildcats won the regular season, becoming the 2018/2019 champions. The Wildcats are the reigning NIHL National Champions having won the title on 28 February 2026 against the Sheffield Steeldogs, winning 3:2 away in Sheffield.
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, 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.
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.
Season-by-season record
SeasonEliteprospects.com (http://www.eliteprospects.com/team.php?team=1372&year0=2012) League GP W L OTW OTL Pts. Rank Postseason2007–2008 EPIHL 40 16 20 1 3 37 7th Qualification2008–2009 EPIHL 54 21 29 2 2 48 8th Quarter-Final Loss2009–2010 EPIHL 54 12 31 4 7 39 8th Semi-Final Loss2010–2011 EPIHL 54 16 31 3 4 42 7th Quarter-Final Loss2011–2012 EPIHL 54 25 23 0 6 56 7th Quarter-Final Loss2012–2013 EPIHL 54 20 22 1 11 53 7th Quarter-Final Loss2013–2014EPIHL54232362605thSemi-Final Loss2014–2015EPIHL48242040565thQuarter-Final Loss2015–2016EPIHL543019 –5656thQuarter-Final Loss2016–2017EPIHL482222 –4486thQualification2017–2018NIHL S13218644483rdConf QF Loss2018–2019NIHL S1423171367ChampionsConf SF Loss2024–2025 NIHL NAT54321237773rdSemi-Final Loss2025–2026
Club roster 2022–23 Source:
(*) Denotes a Non-British Trained player (Import) NetmindersNo.Nat.PlayerCatchesDate of birthPlace of birthAcquiredContract30 Renny Marr L Lochgelly, Scotland 2017 from Coventry Blaze26/2745 Dean Skinns L Basingstoke, England 2026 from Basingstoke Bison26/2734 Harry Thomas L Cardiff, England 2026 from Bristol Pitbulls26/27
DefencemenNo.Nat.PlayerShootsDate of birthPlace of birthAcquiredContract73 Edward Bradley R Wokingham, England 2024 from Berkshire Bees26/2724 Tyler Plews 'A' R Kirkcaldy, Scotland 2018 from Edinburgh Capitals26/274 Jacob Minter L Nottingham, England 2026 from Slough Jets26/2746 Ben O'Connor L Durham, England 2025 from Dundee Stars26/2778 Jamie Smith R Swindon, England 2023 from Swindon Wildcats Academy26/2712 Ryan Wells L Mississauga, Canada 2024 from Toronto Metro University26/27
ForwardsNo.Nat.PlayerShootsDate of birthPlace of birthAcquiredContract3 Bálint Pákozdi L Budapest, Hungary 2021 from New Hampshire Junior Monarchs22/2311 Chris Jones 'A' R Cardiff, Wales 2017 from Cardiff Devils22/2312 Floyd Taylor L Swindon, England 2011 from Swindon Leopards22/2313 Sam Bullas 'C' R Nottingham, England 2010 from Nottingham Panthers22/2316 Reed Sayers R Swindon, England 2018 from Cardiff Fire22/2318 Loris Taylor L Swindon, England 2022 from Bristol Pitbulls22/2319 Aaron Nell L Swindon, England 2013 from Sheffield Steelers22/2337 Jack Goodchild R Winchester, England 2021 from Okanagan Hockey Academy UK22/2371 Edgars Bebris L Aizkraukle, Latvia 2021 from MK Lightning22/2389 Tomasz Malasinski* L Nowy Targ, Poland 2019 from KH GKS Katowice23/2491 Colby Tower* R Troy, NS, Canada 2022 from Nipissing University22/23 Russell Cowley L Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2022 from MK Lightning22/23
Team StaffNo.Nat.NameAcquiredPositionPlace of birthJoined From19Aaron Nell2015General Manager & Player-CoachSwindon, EnglandOkanagan Hockey Academy U18N/ALee Richardson2019Assistant coachSwindon, EnglandOxford City Stars, NIHL 2N/APete Bradford2010Equipment ManagerEnglandN/ASteve Bradford2014Equipment ManagerEnglandN/AMark Thorne2014Assistant Equipment ManagerEngland
2022/23 Outgoing + OutgoingNo.Nat.PlayerShootsDate of birthPlace of birthLeaving For27 Joshua ShawR Frimley, England Bristol Pitbulls38 Emil SvecL Milevsko, Czechia Hull Seahawks41 Oliver EndicottL Swindon, England Iisalmen Peli-Karhut U2044 Neil LiddiardR Swindon, England Chelmsford Chieftains73 Sam SmithR Cardiff, Wales Bristol Pitbulls94 Declan BalmerL Hull, EnglandHull Seahawks
Retired numbers
6 Lee Brathwaite, D, 1992–1997, 1998–2009
7 Bryan Larkin, D, 1991–2001
9 Gary Dickie, F, 1993–1997
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
17 Ian Richards, F, 1987–1999
See also Swindon Wildcats NIHL – amateur affiliated team playing in National Ice Hockey League South Division 2
References
External links
Swindon Wildcats Academy