Swindon_Wildcats

Swindon Wildcats

Swindon Wildcats

Ice hockey team in Swindon, Wiltshire

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 1600-capacity Link Centre in West Swindon. The club was founded in 1986 as the Swindon Wildcats, shortly after the opening of the Link Centre.

Quick Facts City, League ...

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.[1]

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.[2] The following year the Wildcats won the regular season, becoming the 2018/2019 champions.

Logos and uniforms

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,[3] 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.[4]

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.[5]

Season-by-season record[6]

SeasonLeagueGPWLOTWOTLPts.RankPost Season
2007–2008EPIHL40162013377thQualification
2008–2009EPIHL54212922488thQuarter-Final Loss
2009–2010EPIHL54123147398thSemi-Final Loss
2010–2011EPIHL54163134427thQuarter-Final Loss
2011–2012EPIHL54252306567thQuarter-Final Loss
2012–2013EPIHL542022111537thQuarter-Final Loss
2013–2014 EPIHL 54 23 23 6 2 60 5th Semi-Final Loss
2014–2015 EPIHL 48 24 20 4 0 56 5th Quarter-Final Loss
2015–2016 EPIHL 54 30 19 – 5 65 6th Quarter-Final Loss
2016–2017 EPIHL 48 22 22 – 4 48 6th Qualification
2017–2018 NIHL S1 32 18 6 4 4 48 3rd Conf QF Loss
2018–2019 NIHL S1 42 31 7 1 3 67 Champions Conf SF Loss

Club roster 2022–23[7]

(*) Denotes a Non-British Trained player (Import)

More information Netminders, No. ...
More information Defencemen, No. ...
More information Forwards, No. ...
More information Team Staff, No. ...

2022/23 Outgoing

More information Outgoing, No. ...

Retired numbers

6 England Lee Brathwaite, D, 1992–1997, 1998–2009

7 Canada Bryan Larkin, D, 1991–2001

9 Canada Gary Dickie, F, 1993–1997

10 England Steve Nell, F, 1986–1988, 1990–1996, 1997–1998, General Manager 2004–2021 (Now Managing Director)

14 Canada Daryl Lipsey, F, 1986–1995

15 Canada Scott Koberinski, F, 1989–1993

17 England Ian Richards, F, 1987–1999

See also

References

  1. [1]
    "Club Statement". Swindon Wildcats. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  2. [2]
    "NATIONAL CUP FINAL: Swindon Wildcats 4 (6) Sheffield Steeldogs 2 (4)". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  3. [3]
    Houlihan, Owen (24 May 2017). "New change to Wildcats' next league campaign". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  4. [4]
    "Wildcats reveal 19/20 jersey design". Swindon Wildcats. 12 July 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  5. [5]
    "Willie Wildcat Announces Retirement – Swindon Wildcats".
  6. [6]
    Eliteprospects.com (http://www.eliteprospects.com/team.php?team=1372&year0=2012)
  7. [7]
    "Swindon Wildcats – Elite Prospects". www.eliteprospects.com.
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