NEW Swindon Wildcats import D-man Mark Smith says he turned down chances to remain in the Elite League after putting pen to paper on a one-year deal at the Link Centre.

The 33-year-old, brother of former Wildcats D-man Kenton Smith, is the second fresh face to be recruited by Aaron Nell during his first close season as player-coach.

Mark Smith ended his seven-year stint in Britain’s top division, which included a play-off victory with Coventry Blaze in 2015, after leaving the Cardiff Devils having only made nine appearances last term.

Whilst the Edmonton-born player could have spent more time looking for a team to remain in the Elite League, he said family life and the challenge at Swindon made his decision an easy one.

“At the end of last season I just kind of weighed up my options to see what I wanted to do and I knew the potential for playing for Swindon was there,” he told the Advertiser.

“It was always at the back of my mind because of my brother being there and as soon as I chatted with Kenton I asked him to throw my name out there and see what they thought.

“I think I could have explored some more options throughout the Elite League but I think the biggest determining factor was to try and stay local with my wife and I felt Swindon was a fantastic option.

“I’ve really enjoyed playing all over the UK and I have come to make it my home and met my wife here, so everything has been very positive and I am pleased with how things have worked out.

“With the way Aaron is putting a team together and from chatting with my brother, it felt like things would be a very good fit.”

Kenton Smith, who spent last year as assistant coach at the Link Centre, is yet to commit his future to the Wildcats for next term but played a big role in recruiting his brother and Mark is hoping his experience of top-level hockey will prove to be a major contributing factor.

“It is good having Kenton there giving me the inside info,” he added. “I am not coming in blind. I have watched Swindon play several games over the past couple of years and just from watching you can kind of get a feel of what it is all about and my brother has had nothing but good things to say.

“I think my experience of the Elite League will help me to contribute to the team and I have been around a while and experienced a few things.

“I know what it is like to go to a tough building and play against tough opposition and I was fortunate enough to win a trophy with Coventry a couple of years back, so hopefully I can bring something positive to the team.”