Youngsters Ben Nethersell, Oliver Stone and Kyle Smith promoted to Swindon Wildcats' senior squad for next season

Ben Nethersell is the oldest of the trio at 18 and has signed a two-way contract with Oxford City Stars in the National League, having made two appearances for the Cats last season.

Fellow defender Oliver Stone and forward Kyle Smith, both 17, have also put pen to paper on first-team deals. Stone made six Wildcats appearances last season, while Smith played three times.

Stone is a current Great Britain U20 international and was a member of the squad that took part in their World Junior Championships Division 1B campaign last December, while Nethersell and Smith have both played 10 times for GB U18s.

The trio takes the Wildcats’ roster to 16 players for next season’s EPL campaign and Nell is excited about what they will add to those already on board.

“Ollie is an outstanding young British D-man that we are very happy to have on board,” said Nell.

“He has a great work ethic, a great attitude and is a very reliable D-man with great potential. I believe he will become a massive part of our hockey club.

“Kyle is an excellent young British player, that we are delighted to have in Swindon. He can play both forward and D, he skates extremely well, and is very strong and aggressive. He has had a great end to the year and will be pushing our other forwards for more ice time.

“Ben is another outstanding young British D-man who will be on a two-way contract with Oxford in the NIHL. He is a very smart D-man, who moves the puck very well and is very good on the power play. He will get valuable playing time in Oxford and it will be great for Ben’s progression.

“We are very lucky to have these three on board with us. They have all had great coaching in the OHA programme from Ryan Aldridge and Pete Russell and they are now ready to take that next step into men’s hockey.

“They're all in the gym now, working extremely hard and getting ready for the new season.”