TEENAGE talent Toms Rutkis has his sights set on hitting the ground running when the new season gets under way after committing to another year with the Swindon Wildcats.

The Latvian-born Great Britain U20 international, who broke into the Wildcats side during the 2014-2015 campaign, has put pen to paper on a new one-year deal, which keeps him at the Link Centre for 2016-2017.

Rutkis, who is still only 18, enjoyed his first season as a full-time Cats player last term and recorded six goals and four assists in 50 appearances but the youngster says that he is currently working hard to ensure that his output is much more bountiful next time around.

“It is great. Aaron (Nell, head coach) offered me a new deal and I took it straight away,” said Rutkis. “It is a great set-up here and it is also very close to my home, so it is ideal.

“I always seem to have slow starts but hopefully that can change this season. I think the summer is very important and I’m working now to get myself ready physically and mentally.

“The team looks exciting and promising. The new import (Maxim Birbraer) is my kind of player – he works hard and he’s big.

“If we work hard and grind hard, then we will win.”

Rutkis was part of the GB U20 side that won a bronze medal in Division 1B at last year’s World Championships, alongside then-Wildcats team-mates Jordan Hedley, Harvey Stead, Owen Griffiths and Michael Stratford, who has already re-signed ahead of the new season.

The Swindon youngster also racked up a scorching 64 points in just 14 outings for the Okanagan Academy, and head coach Nell is pleased that Rutkis is staying put.

Nell said: “Toms is one of the best young players in the country and he was a massive part of our team last year, especially in the second half of the season, where he ended up taking the spots of more experienced players in the line-up.

“Toms is learning all the time – (captain) Jan Kostal has taken him under his wing and I believe there aren’t many better role models than Jan.

“Toms skates well, works extremely hard and isn’t scared to go to the tough areas of the ice to score goals."

“He has been working hard in the gym already this summer and he’s going to be even stronger come September.”

Meanwhile, former Wildcats star Ken Forshee has been appointed head coach of the club’s academy section.