SWINDON Wildcats chief Aaron Nell believes that the impact made by summer imports Mark Smith and Max Birbraer cannot be downplayed.

Canadian D-man Smith, who is the brother of assistant coach Kenton Smith, joined Cats from Elite League Cardiff Devils this summer while Kazakhstan-born former Israel international Birbraer, himself a former Devil, made the switch from EPL rivals Telford Tigers.

Smith, 33, and Birbraer, 35, have added some much-needed grit to the in-form Wildcats this term and head coach Nell is delighted with what his two experienced recruits have brought to the party thus far.

“The additions of Mark and Max have really helped us; their experience and their size, and the way they battle,” said Nell.

“Mark was unbelievable (in last weekend’s 2-1 overtime loss at Telford). Our D’s a lot stronger this year and we really need to keep kicking on now.

“It’s their experience and their character – that’s why we brought them in.

“We tried to get a couple of experienced Brits in the summer. They didn’t come off and we knew we were going to be young, so the last thing we needed was our imports to not be team-first or be inexperienced.

“We had to know what we were getting from our imports and that’s why we signed Mark and Max.

“They’re both proper professionals and they come to play every night.

“Max might not pull the points of other imports but he comes to play every night. You’d go into a battle with him and he brings a presence in the dressing room and on the ice that you can’t replace.

“We’re very happy with them and our team, and I think the character we’ve shown in the last three weeks has been very positive and we’re very, very happy.

“We’ve had three really good weeks in a row and we’re looking forward to the next game now.”

This weekend, the Wildcats, who are fourth in the EPL table, go looking to set the record straight against the third-placed Hull Pirates and the Peterborough Phantoms.

Nell’s side, who host Hull today (face-off 5.45pm) before making the trip to Cambridgeshire to take on the Phantoms on Sunday, were beaten on the road by both outfits in September.

Meanwhile, Cats youngster Michael Stratford has been loaned out to the Manchester Phoenix.

The 19-year-old will remain a Wildcats player but will also be icing for Swindon’s EPL compatriots in a bid for regular game time.

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