SWINDON Wildcats have completed their 2016-17 roster after teenage forward Adam Finlinson became the 20th and final signing of the off-season by head coach Aaron Nell.

Finlinson will step up on a one-year deal following a blistering campaign with the Okanagan Hockey UK Academy, where he amassed 33 goals and 17 assists for 50 points in just 14 games last season.

The 18-year-old is also a familiar face to Link Centre supporters, having featured 13 times for the Wildcats last term, posting one assist and doing enough to convince Nell to hand him a full-time deal.

Player-coach Nell said: “Adam is a very exciting young player who has a great amount of potential. He is very creative offensively and skates well.

“He’s young so we must be patient with Adam and put him in the right situations to succeed, but I’m very confident with Adam’s hard work that he will be a massive part of our team and contribute offensively, especially come the end of the season.

“Adam is a big part of our future and, as with our other young players, I’m really excited going into the season.”

Finlinson’s star has been on the rise in British ice hockey, his two goals and three assists for five points in 12 matches in the 2014-15 campaign marking him out as one to watch.

He has also represented Great Britain U18s 10 times, helping them capture a bronze medal at the U18 World Championships in 2014/15.

The youngster, who will wear the number 31 jersey, admitted: “It was a no-brainer to sign for the Wildcats. The Wildcats have looked after me and the set-up here is outstanding.

“Aaron gave me a chance last year which I enjoyed thoroughly. I can look up to players such as Jan Kostal and Tomasz Malasinski and develop my skills by learning from them.”