JAN Kostal wants to lead from the front when Swindon Wildcats’ regular season starts this weekend.

The Cats host Peterborough Phantoms tonight, before travelling to Telford Tigers on Sunday and it will be interesting to see if Kostal and co can transfer the form from their challenge games into competitive fixtures.

The skipper certainly thinks they can and has been impressed by the additions to the squad at the Link Centre this summer.

The Czech centre has been a consistently high performer for Swindon since signing for the first time in 2013 and clearly does not want to lose his status as top dog to the new arrivals.

That is not to say Kostal is not welcoming the healthy competition, but he takes his role as leader very seriously.

“As the captain I want to be the best player on the ice,” he said.

“I want to make an impact if we are losing a game and be the person to change things.

“I will be talking to the guys in the room when we are losing and I will be vocal in the changing room.

“I want to lead by example.

“The new forward lines will be very good. They are very good players that Stevie has brought in and I think they will be successful.

“The guys know how to play on the ice and they are very good at handling the stick.

“We have got a good team and I think we must work hard every game to win and I hope it will be a very good season.”

Ever the professional, Kostal has been on the ice in his home country to stay sharp for the new season and is adamant he will be fully prepared come face-off tonight “I was skating in Czech over the summer, so it was not the first time for me on the ice during the pre-season,” he added.

“I am ready before every season, I promise you.

“I feel good before every season and I am looking forward to getting it under way.

“Through the summer there are no games. I have played hockey for six years and it is boring without the ice, so I am looking forward to a big season.”