Max Birbraer Latest Wildcat to Sign for 2018/19

Swindon Wildcats are delighted to announce that fan favourite and hard-hitting power forward Max Birbraer has re-signed with the club for the 2018-2019 NIHL season.

Max, who was drafted #67 overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, joined the club from Telford Tigers in the summer of 2016. This will be his third consecutive season in Swindon, in 61 games last year Max scored 27 goals and 70 assists for a total of 97 points.

Swindon Wildcats Head Coach Aaron Nell was equally as happy to have his #23 back for another season:

“Bringing Max back was must for me, we took the decision a year ago to bring him back as we wanted his physical presence in the way we play. For him to score just short of 100 points last year was fantastic for us. He creates so much space for his line-mates and has a lethal shot on him.

He’s very difficult to play against and he’s a massive part of our team. The fans absolutely love him here as well and he loves playing his hockey in Swindon. Moreover, he’s a winner, and that attitude is something that rubs off on the team. I’m absolutely delighted he’ll be icing with us again next season and I think he’ll have yet another successful season with the Wildcats.

Speaking after agreeing his new deal, Max reiterated how much he was happy about coming back to Swindon for a third season:

“It’s going to sound like a cliché, but it was a no brainer to come back to Swindon. I knew we were building towards something, I had fun in my first season and last year we came away with some trophies. There was obviously some drama which stopped us winning more than what we did, but this coming season feels like unfinished business. We want to prove we’re capable of winning everything and that is the goal for the new season.

Part of the reason for coming back was to achieve more, I’ve been on winning teams and I’ve been on losing teams but I think last year was one of the most fun teams I’ve been on in a very long time. When Aaron gave me the opportunity to come back or another season it was such a quick decision and I’m happy to be back in Swindon again.

As well as Max coming back for another season, Neil & Vicky Davidson will be continuing their sponsorship of Max for the new campaign. The long-time fans of the club have been sponsoring players in Swindon for a few years now and we are incredibly thankful for their support of both Max and the Club in general.