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Toms Rutkis the latest to commit to Swindon Wildcats
Toms Rutkis has handed the Swindon Wildcats a massive boost for the 2016/17 season after agreeing terms on a new contract with the club.
The hugely-talented 18-year-old has put pen to paper on a new one-year deal that will take him up to the summer of 2017.
Toms has scored 10 goals since breaking into the Wildcats side back in 2014-15, and he has also registered 12 assists from 71 appearances.
On signing the new deal, Toms told swindonwildcats.com: “It is great. Aaron (Nell) offered me a new deal and I took it straight away.
"It is a great set-up here and it is also very close to my home, so it is ideal.
"I always seem to have slow starts but hopefully that can change this season. I think the summer is very important and I'm working now to get myself ready physically and mentally.
"The team looks exciting and promising. The new import (Max Birbraer) is my kind of player - he works hard and he's big.
"If we work hard and grind hard then we will win."
Toms' rise to prominence represents the benefit of the excellent coaching he was given during his time with the Okanagan Hockey UK Academy, where he posted a staggering 64 points (43 G, 21 A) in just 14 outings.
"I'm delighted Toms is back for next season," player-coach Aaron Nell said on announcing his latest signing.
"Toms is one of the best young players in the country and he was a massive part of our team last year, especially in the second-half of the season where he ended up taking the spots of more experienced players in the line-up.
"Toms is learning all the time - Jan Kostal has taken him under his wing and I believe there isn't many better role models for Toms than Jan.
"Toms skates well, works extremely hard and isn't scared to go to the tough areas of the ice to score goals.
"He has been working hard in the gym already this summer and he's going to be even stronger come September."
Toms made 50 appearances in his first full Wildcats season last term, scoring 6 goals and registering 4 assists. He also made 4 appearances for the GB U20s side.
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