SWINDON Wildcats will be without star forward Phil Hill next season after the Welshman accepted an opportunity outside of hockey.

The former Cardiff Devils and Sheffield Steelers skater spent two seasons at the Link Centre, where he posted 50 points from 51 games in all competitions last season.

Hill was a key players in Cats’ Autumn Cup and National Cup successes last term, but the 36-year-old left shooter has called time on his hockey career to build a life away from the rink.

Wildcats player-coach Aaron Nell said: “Firstly I’d like to thank Phil for his time in Swindon.

“Phil is a great person that made a huge impact on and off the ice.

“I compare him to Jan Kostal in how professional he was and the impact his professionalism made on his teammates when he arrived.

“He took great pride in how he and the team played, he was a great person to look up to and learn from, on our team and I know he will be missed.”

Swindon Wildcats open their 2018/19 season in less than five weeks’ time when welcoming Bracknell Bees to the Link Centre on Sunday, September 1.