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Wildcats In Profile: Aaron Nell
Being the Head Coach, Aaron Nell is a key figurehead at the Link Centre, but what else do you need to know about him? Find out with Total's handy guide to Nell.
Brief Factfile:
Number: 19
Position: Forward
D.O.B: 22/10/1989
Been a Wildcat since: 2008-09 season
Previous clubs: North Okanagan Kings, Kenai River Brown Bears, Coventry Blaze, Sheffield Steelers
Nell began his ice hockey career as a 13-year-old with the club junior affiliate sides, the Cougars and Leopards, in 2002-03 season.
In 2006-07, he moved to the USA to gain experience and iced for the North Okanagan Kings (now named North Okanagan Knights) and was also selected for the GB U18s during the same season.
The following season Nell changed alliances to the Kenai River Brown Bears where he also stepped up to the GB U20 side, scoring three goals in five appearances for the national side.
Nell returned to the UK the year later and joined up with the EPIHL Wildcats and registered 19 goals and 18 assists for 37 points from 42 appearances.
The following season (2009-10), Nell made 54 appearances for the club, and scored 39 goals and made 29 assists for 68 points which earned him a move to the Coventry Blaze.
He made 14 appearances and scored one goal in his debut campaign in Coventry and in 2010-11, he joined the club where he went on to score 14 goals and make 23 assists from 61 appearances during the year, but after a further 19 games, 4 goals and 7 assists the following season, he returned home to Swindon during the 2011-12 season.
Having returned to Wiltshire, he made 38 appearances netting 46 goals and making 33 appearances (for 79 points).
Remaining with the Cats, in 2012-13, Nell broke all records recording 115 points in the season, scoring 60 goals and making 55 assists from 54 games in a campaign which saw him wear the captain badge for the club for the first time as he started to earn legendary status at the Link.
The season also saw Nell break in to the senior GB team, before being snapped up by the Elite League Sheffield Steelers ahead of the 2013-14 season.
A change in coaching staff saw Nell’s playing chances limited and after 40 appearances (and 2 goals and assists), he found himself back in Wiltshire much to the delight of the Wildcats fans.
32 goals and 16 assists from just 28 games convinced the player that home is where the heart is, and with the agreement of the Steelers he became a Wildcats player once again ahead of the 2014-15 season where he remains to this day.
In the 2015-16 season he achieved his highest honour in Swindon to date as he became player/coach when netminder Stevie Lyle stepped down from the role. Nell remains in the position to this day.
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