CALLUM Buglass is happy to keep developing his blossoming career with the Swindon Wildcats after penning a year extension at the Link Centre.

Buglass, who joined the Wildcats ahead of the 2014-15 campaign, has come a long way since signing for Ryan Aldridge, having made 92 appearances and recording 18 assists, while notching his first goal at the Link Centre last term.

The 19-year-old defender has signed another dual contract with his hometown club Cardiff Devils but believes that his future next year will be about concentrating on his progress with the Wildcats.

“It seems like yesterday that I was on the phone to Alds (Ryan Aldridge) doing the first deal,” he said.

“It is that stepping stone that I need and I think it has helped me develop a lot.

“I think in the first season, if we didn’t have five D-men, then I wouldn’t have got the eight points that I got and last season I wanted to get double digits and I think I might have been one off that but that was due to a lot of resting through the season for concussion.

“At the start, when I first came here, I had never seen the game before and it was a step up from the ENL (English National League) and it looked very fast.

“I think I am more comfortable now and I am getting to know the players that are there and the teams we are playing against and their tendencies.

“Everything like that helps and the more time you get on the ice the better you are going to be and understand the game.”

Buglass believes the dual-contract approach is key to developing young talent, especially with the number of imports in the Elite League rising to 14 per team next term, with Ollie Betteridge and Matt Selby benefitting with moves to the top flight in the last two seasons.

However Cardiff-born Buglass is setting his goals with the Wildcats rather than breaking into his hometown Cardiff side.

“It is developing the future international team, hopefully,” he added.

“I think there are only a few teams doing it at the moment. I think (Matt) Selby was on one with Coventry last year and now he has signed for them full-time, so you can see that it works.

“It works out for both teams because the EPL side are getting a guy who wants to prove themselves and the Elite League teams are getting guys who are ready for the step up should they need them.

“Over the summer I will be looking to put on some more weight and getting that bit stronger, not to add that physical element, but just so I don’t get bumped off the puck so easy.

“For the season, we all want to win something but personally, I would like to get into double digits with my own points tally.

“I would like to get into the Cardiff team but realistically, I don’t know because the import limit has gone up again and it is so easy for teams to sign an import when an import gets injured.

“I would like the chance and that might come during the pre-season games but I don’t expect to.”