SWINDON Wildcats head coach Aaron Nell is hoping that Ollie Stone can pick up where he left off after signing for another season.

The 18-year-old made an immediate impact in his first full season with the club last term but was sidelined for six weeks after a high check in Hull in late December left the teenager unconscious.

Stone returned in February and by the time the play-offs rolled around, he was playing some of his best hockey and Nell wants to see that continue into the new season.

“He had a good start and then he had a few injuries and he finished the season really well,” he said.

“It’s important for him to again start the year well, he’s got a big summer ahead of him and I know he is in the gym already.

“It is very important for him to come flying at the start of the season.

“I feel, especially in the play-offs, he really improved and there were a couple of games where he was playing really well.

“We’ve got to take his games from the play-offs and bring it into September now and have a big start to the season.”

Stone is Swindon’s fourth signing of the week and Nell’s fifth recruit under the age of 20 but Nell sees that as a positive and will be looking to more experienced heads like Neil Liddiard and skipper Jan Kostal to help them with their development.

“He has got a very big year ahead of him and he is going to have more responsibility this year,” added Nell.

“He has got a great attitude and he comes to work every day and they’re the type of people you want.

“If he keeps on doing that and keeps on working hard and getting advice from the right people, he is going to improve and push on.

“With the senior players we have around, I know they want to help the young players.

“It is great for the older players as well when the young players are successful.

“People get a kick out of that and I know people like Lids and Jan Kostal enjoy helping the young players.

“Ollie is a local boy and he likes playing in Swindon and wants Swindon to succeed.”