Oliver Stone remains with the Swindon Wildcats for another year

Ollie Stone will return for his second full season in Swindon following his graduation from the OHA academy.

 

The 18-year-old defenceman returns having iced in 38 league games last year. Stone got his chance early in the season and grabbed it with both hands, becoming a key member of the Wildcats defensive unit by the second half of the season.

 

Player Coach Aaron Nell was thrilled to have secured the services of a player who’d come through the Wildcats academy and is now plying his trade with the senior team. Speaking of Stones' return, he said:

 

“We’re thrilled a hometown boy is playing for the Wildcats. Ollie, in the second half of the season, got a lot of ice time last year.

 

"He’s got a lot potential, he skates well, he’s smart and works extremely hard. He is a steady defenceman for his age and we are looking for him to play an even bigger role this season, develop and move on to the next level.

 

"Last year he was very patient and we talked about times where he may not get ice time. There were some difficult times but he stayed patient, worked hard and took his chance when got it. We’re very excited to have Ollie in Swindon, he’s a player I want in Swindon and we want at the club.”

 

Having agreed a second-year deal, Stone himself is aiming to build on last season’s performances, with the season just over 2 months away.

 

“I'm really happy to be back with the Wildcats for another year, I feel that being here helped me make that step into senior hockey which I'm looking to build on in my second full year as a Wildcat.

 

"I improved massively over last season despite having missed part of it due to injury. I'm really looking forward to the future for the Wildcats and for me and hopefully that's means I can continue to develop and contribute to the success of team.”