Word on the Wildcats

The 100 club winner for April was Mark Hayes No 10, the draw was made by Link Centre Duty Manager Benny Macmillan. Mark wins £200

The Swindon Wildcats are delighted to announce the signing of British forward Aaron Nell for the brand new 2008/2009 Ice Hockey season. Nell is the Wildcats fourth signing of the close season, as Head Coach Peter Russell focuses on pushing the club up the league table.

The Swindon Wildcats can today confirm that their former top points scorer has taken the opportunity to advance his career in Europe and has concluded negotitations with EC Peiting in the German Oberliga professional league. Joel had this message for fans of the Wildcats, speaking from his home back in Ontario, Canada: "I appreciate everything that [the Wildcats] have done and thank everyone for the experience. I would definitely love to come back and play again one day. "Good luck for next season and I wish all the great Wildcats fans and my former teammates all the best." The Wildcats are equally as appreciative for Joel's contributions both on and off of the ice and invite their supporters to congratulate him on his progression to the Oberliga. Further signing announcements will follow throughout the close season.

The U18 Swindon Cougars, featuring members of both the npower Wildcats and ENL Wildcats Development squad, take to the ice at the Link Centre this coming Saturday afternoon (19th) in a 12.15pm face-off against the winners of the EIHA U18 Northern Conference, Sheffield. The Cougars go into the game, the deciding leg of the Semi-finals, with a slender 3-2 lead following an excellent performance a fortnight ago at iceSheffield. Entrance is free and gallery-level only.

If you don't manage to collect your tickets for the Finals Weekend during tonight's game, please contact the Booster Club on 07515 338140 or booster.club@swindonwildcats.com.

Congratulations to the following npower Wildcats on their awards as presented at Friday night's Awards Dinner and Dance! Peter Russell's awards Best Defenceman Lee BRATHWAITE (by Ann Handscombe) Best Forward Joel PETKOFF (by Paul Boyles of npower) Most Improved Player Ciaran LONG (by Colin Fribbens) Dave Richardson Award for Best British Player: Matty DAVIES (by Lee, Kim and Grant Richardson) Coach's Player of the Year: Joel PETKOFF (by Peter Russell) Player poll Player's Player of the Year: A tie - John WHEATON and Wayne FIDDES (by Peter Russell) Fan poll Supporters' Club Player of the Year: Tomas JANAK (by Stuart Meadows) Photos to appear. Congratulations to all the winners!

Congratulations to the following members of the National League Development squad on their awards as chosen by the Coaching and Management staff and presented by Head Coach Justin Bonello at the Wildcats End of Season presentation evening on Friday: Best Defenceman: STEPHEN WHITFIELD Best Forward: JAMIE NEWTON Most Improved: JAMES BURNETT Player of the Year: NICK GALLAGHER Coach’s Award: BRIAN CLARK

D-day approaches and the npower Wildcats head into the final weekend of the post-season qualification round still in the hunt for a spot in the history books: two wins over the Slough Jets would guarantee a spot for the club in the Championship Finals weekend for the first time in the modern era. The Wildcats are on the back of a hot run of form at home and Saturday's 5.45pm encounter at the Link Centre promises to be one of the noisiest of the season so far - it's certainly the most important! Then on Sunday, Peter Russell and his team make the short trip down the M4 for the return leg at the Hangar in a 6.30pm face-off. Can the Wildcats reach the promised land? Will we see the squad bundle on to the ice again to celebrate another key step on their way? Either way, the final home game of the season will be a great way to sign off the year. Tickets still available from Link Centre Main Reception on 01793 445566.

Swindon npower Wildcats General Manager Steve Nell believes Saturday's playoff match-up against group leaders Slough is one of the most crucial in the club's recent history. The former Swindon player is promising a crackerjack night of Link Centre action as the Wildcats continue their quest for a spot in the EPL finals at Coventry later this month.

Congratulations to Wildcats #13 Jamie Hayes on the Silver medal achieved on his recent trip to Estonia with the Great Britain Under-18s team. "Hayesey" finished second in team scoring with four goals and five assists in the five tournament games. GB missed out on promotion to Division I by virtue of falling 3-1 to Hungary, who finished in Gold medal position.

JOEL Petkoff's long-range effort with just 34 seconds of overtime remaining clinched a sudden-death English Premier League play-off win for Swindon Wildcats over Milton Keynes Lightning tonight.

Congratulations to npower Wildcats #12, Addie Brittle, on winning the Player of the Month vote. Britsy's nomination makes him the seventh different recipient of the honour this season. One vote remains for 'Cats fans: text lines are open until midday Monday 31st March for supporters to nominate their Supporter's Club Player of the Year. Text WILDCATS SPOTY and the name of your player to 84070.

WILDCATS EPL play-off hopes were left dangling by a thread after a crushing 6-1 defeat at the hands of Milton Keynes Lightning tonight.

Vote now for your Player of the Month and win yourself the chance to present the award and have your photo taken with your selected player! You will then receive a signed copy of the picture! To vote, text “WILDCATS POTM” and the full name of your player to: 84070 You can also vote now for the player that you feel deserves recognition for their contribution throughout the season, with the winner being presented with the Supporters' Club Player of the Year trophy at the up-coming End of Season Disco and Presentation Night. To vote, text "WILDCATS SPOTY" and the full name of your player to: 84070

INSPIRATIONAL captain Wayne Fiddes insists Wildcats must "sacrifice everything" this weekend as they go in search of a crucial play-off double over Milton Keynes Lightning.

The npower Wildcats' top points scorer, #23 Joel Petkoff, has been nominated for the English Premier League "All Star" First line for the second time.

Catch the npower Wildcats' D-man #55 Michael Farn live on-air Saturday afternoon during the BBC Radio Swindon Saturday Sports programme. With the 'Cats on the road to MK for the first of their back-to-back vital playoff games, you can hear Mike talk of the team's preparation and expectations for the weekend. Tune in to 103.6FM or select BBC Radio Swindon on your DAB Digital radio between 3pm and 4pm.

The Swindon Wildcats are delighted to announce their first three new signings for the 2008/2009 Ice Hockey season. Matty Davies, Lee Richardson and Michael Farn are the first players to put pen to paper as Wildcats Head Coach Peter Russell focuses on pushing the club up the league table.

The Swindon Wildcats have begun their playoff assault against local rivals Bracknell in a group that sees them also pitched against Slough and Milton Keynes.

swindonweb.com puts Swindon npower Wildcats' striker Joel Petkoff to the test