SHOCK summer signing Ben Davies has promised to give his all on the ice in his short time with Swindon Wildcats.

Cats player-coach Aaron Nell pulled off a massive coup just a fortnight before the start of the new English Premier League season, which gets under way on Saturday, with the recruitment of current Great Britain international Davies on a short-term deal.

The 25-year-old forward will spend four weeks at the Link Centre before moving to America in an effort to further his career and will be available for the Cats’ first six EPL fixtures, ending with the trip to Guildford Flames at the end of September.

Although Davies, who has spent the last two seasons at Scottish Elite League side Braehead Clan, knows his dalliance with Swindon may only be a fleeting one, the Welshman has vowed to make the strongest impression on the team and supporters as possible.

“It has been one of those things that kind of just came up. I have seen Stevie (Lyle) throughout the summer and have spoken to him a little bit about it,” said Davies.

“I had other things that I was trying to pursue first of all and it’s something that has kind of come out of the blue a little bit, so it was a surprise even for myself.

“I have got an opportunity to go over to the US and I’ve got to try to pursue that.

“Until then, it is a case of trying to play for as long as possible before I go over. I’m trying to get on the ice, have high intensity practices and play some games and pick up some good habits, and go from there.

“If anyone has seen me play before they know I am just going to be working hard. I am going to be doing as many good things as I can; play the right way and help the team as much as I can – that’s all I can do.”

Davies is returning to Wiltshire for his second stint with the Cats, having also been on their books in the 2008-09 campaign, but this is his first taste of life in English hockey’s second tier since a stint with Basingstoke Bison in 2010-11.

“The last time, I had a lot of dealings with the Premier League was when I was at Basingstoke five or six years ago. It’s going to have changed but I am excited to see it,” said Davies.

“I have been in the Elite League for a couple of years and I am excited to see what the standard is like. I have got some good friends in teams at this level and I am excited to play against them.”