MATT Selby will not be returning to Swindon Wildcats next season with the D-man joining Elite League side Coventry Blaze on a full-time basis.

The 20 year old, who played 42 times for Swindon in the Premier League last season on a two-way contract with Blaze, already has more than 100 Elite League appearances since progressing through the ranks of the Coventry junior academy.

Selby also had a spell at Swindon's rivals, Basingstoke Bison, where he won the EPIHL Cup and Playoff Championship in 2014/15 and captained the Great Britain Under 20's team to a gold medal at the World Junior Championships in Estonia.

Selby said: "It’s great to be back at the club I played with as a junior and with the additional good EPIHL experience under me.

"I am excited to be playing for Danny (Stewart) and with the rest of the guys. August can’t come quick enough."

Blaze head coach Danny Stewart said: "We are happy to get Selby back on board. He adds more depth to our line-up and comes with lots of physicality in his game.

"He's an important cog in the dressing room as well and a guy that brings energy to our team on and off the ice.

"He's a reliable guy that plays well off the puck and will go to tough areas to get the puck. He's a team first guy and that's what we want in this club!"

Selby joins Adam Harding, who will link up with Manchester Storm next season, through the Wildcats exit door.

Cats confirmed the return of D-man Stevie Whitfield this week, while fellow D-man Neil Liddiard, netminder Stevie Lyle and Jonas Hoog are also returning.