LEE Richardson cannot believe how quickly his 400th Swindon Wildcats league appearance has come around.

Having walked through the doors of the Link Centre to watch his first ice hockey game as a six-year-old, the now 33-year-old, who is in his second spell at the club, says that he has seen so many changes at his hometown club over the 27 years.

“It is nice for that I have got this landmark, but the most important thing is getting the two points,” said Richardson, who will celebrate reaching his landmark during tonight’s clash with Sheffield Steeldogs.

“I’m 33 now and I came to watch my first game 27 years ago. It is crazy to think that I’m now making my 400th appearance.

“I remember seeing some of the players back then using the hand dryers in the toilets to dry their gloves and not really knowing what was going on.

“When I started playing for Swindon, there wasn’t an Under 10s side, so I had to go into the Under 12s – as a seven-year-old.

“I think it was when I probably got to about 11 or 12, that I realised that I could possibly go on to play men’s hockey.

“I think that I was probably 18 when I made my debut and I have to say my favourite moment was when we reached Coventry (the play-offs) for the first time in 2010, having finished eighth.”

Following tonight’s clash with Sheffield, Wildcats make the short trip to Bracknell for the second week in succession.

“We got the four points last week and we will being all out to do that again,” Richardson added.

Meanwhile, former Cats head coach and current Okanagan Hockey Academy boss Ryan Aldridge will be putting the skates on once again tomorrow.

The 37-year-old will be icing for the Wildcats’ National League side in their cup semi-final clash with Haringey Racers.

Aldridge, who last featured for the Cats in the 2013-14 before retiring to focus on his coaching, will be joined before forward Danny Williams, who last played during the 2012-13 season.

Dan Sullivan’s side hold a 5-3 lead in this semi-final after defeating the Racers at Alexandra Palace last weekend.

Sullivan will also have a plethora of Okanagan youngsters to choose from.