HE’S CONSIDERED part of the furniture at the Swindon Wildcats and that suits Sam Bullas right down to the ground.

The 23-year-old winger is preparing for his sixth successive season with Ryan Aldridge’s side and the Nottingham-born man is in no doubt that home is where the heart is.

Cats’ ‘Mr Reliable’ says that he couldn’t be more settled at the Link Centre and Bullas is hoping that he can play a part in a successful English Premier League campaign for last season’s play-off semi-finalists.

“I’m originally from Nottingham but six years – it definitely is my second home now,” said Bullas.

“I’ve been down here so long now that it feels like my home and it’s logical for me as well. I’m at university doing a master’s degree (in sports coaching science at the University of the West of England).

“I’ve got a job, I’ve got uni and I’ve got ice hockey but I’m used to it now – I’ve been doing it for such a long time, balancing everything together.

“I won’t lie – it’s difficult, but once you get into a good routine, it’s easy to balance as long as you prioritise your time quite well.

“I love it here. Everyone here is family, I know everyone so well now and they call me part of the furniture.

“In the nicest way, I am. I’ve been here so long now and it’s nice to be called ‘Mr Reliable’.”

The former Great Britain U20 international thinks that the key to success for the Link Centre men will be picking up where they left off last term and not sauntering through the opening months of the season.

Bullas said: “We were flying at the end of the year. We went quite a few games unbeaten, had quite a good run in the play-offs and I think we were robbed in the play-offs at the end.

“I think we’ve just got to keep building on that and start from where we finished last year because one of our weak points is always the start of the year – we always start quite slow and take a while to build up into it.

“I think if we can play better before Christmas and keep our usual post-Christmas period going, I think we’re going to do really well this year.

“We need to start full power. Like Aldy said, the hockey we’re going to play this year is very fast, very physical quick hockey, which I think will be very exciting for the fans and should put us in good stead.”

Wildcats conclude their pre-season preparations with a Challenge double-header against Bracknell this weekend.

Face-off at the Link Centre tonight is at 6pm, with the return following at Bracknell tomorrow at 6pm.