SWINDON Wildcats player-coach Aaron Nell is hopeful of persuading Kenton Smith to extend his stay at the Link Centre after making his assistant coach’s brother, Mark, his final import signing for next season.

Kenton Smith joined the Cats in summer 2014 and after a year in their defensive ranks, the 36-year-old Canadian stepped up to a coaching role in 2015-16, taking to the ice just three times last term.

Nell has largely completed his playing roster for the coming campaign, with the capture of 33-year-old Mark Smith from Elite League side Cardiff Devils announced on Monday morning.

The Cats chief says he would love to keep the elder of the Smith brothers involved in the Swindon set-up too, although nothing has yet been agreed.

“Kenton has got some stuff going on at home that he needs to sort out before he decides what he wants to do next year but we’d love to have him back,” said Nell.

“He has been a big part of a club for a few years now and he is just trying to sort out what’s right for him moving forward.

“We’ve had a number of good talks and hopefully we can have him back involved with us next year. Hopefully we can make a positive announcement on that in the next few weeks.”

Nell was thrilled to secure the signature of the younger Smith brother, with Mark adding some much-needed experience to a youthful Cats squad.

The D-man helped Coventry Blaze triumph in the Elite League play-offs in 2015 and Nell believes that know-how will be invaluable in the Link Centre locker room.

“I have met Mark a few times and Kenton mentioned his name a couple of times towards the end of the season too,” said Nell.

“They are both really good guys and if Mark turns out to be half as good for us as Kenton has been, then I know we have brought in someone very good.

“He is a really good person. I spoke to a lot of people about him and they all said the same thing so when everyone says he’s a great guy, then it must be true.

“He is going to be a massive part of our team. He has got a lot of experience and we’re going to look to feed of that and help bring us forward.

“We have got a lot of young players in our squad so we were looking for a little bit more experience and all five of our imports will bring that.”