SWINDON Wildcats player-coach Aaron Nell is itching to get back on the ice and admits his return to action for the coming season is almost like a new signing for the club.

Nell played just 16 games for the Cats last term and has not featured at all since last October, with a shoulder injury ending his campaign before it had really began.

The Cats have made a raft of summer signings as they prepare to start life as an NIHL side in 2017-18, with the club swapping divisions following the dissolution of the English Premier League at the end of the previous campaign.

Although he has been a fixture on the Swindon senior roster since 2008 – barring a couple of seasons away at Elite League club Coventry Blaze – Nell says he feels like a new addition to the camp for the new campaign after declaring himself back to full fitness.

“The shoulder is as good as it can be,” said Nell, whose side get their pre-season fixtures under way next weekend.

“It’s been a long summer with the physios and going in and out of the gym so it will be good to try it out properly next weekend.

“I am happy with how it is at this stage and I am looking forward to playing again now.

“We had it in the back of our minds that because of me being out for so long last season, it is almost like me being a new signing.

“Hopefully I can help the team out as much as I can.”

Swindon open their pre-season fixtures with home and away clashes against Bracknell Bees before the competitive action begins on Saturday, September 16 when Milton Keynes Thunder come to the Link Centre.

Nell says he could not be happier with the 19-man roster he has assembled over the summer and they are all keen to get going.

“I know I am excited to start and all of the players are too,” said Nell.

“Over the summer you are counting down the days so we are looking forward to getting started and hopefully winning some hockey games.

“We always look if there is anything available but I am really happy with the team we have got – it’s a good size roster.

“There is going to be competition for places and ice time and hopefully the team can push each other all the way.”