CZECH import Jan Melichar is convinced Swindon Wildcats will continue to improve year on year after agreeing a deal to stay at the Link Centre next season.

The defenceman played 54 times for the English Premier League club during the last campaign scoring three goals, and proved an important part of the Wildcats team which ended the season in superb form before losing out in the play-offs.

Melichar will also take on a coaching role with the new Okanagan Hockey Academy based in Swindon, and is delighted to be able to extend his stay in Wiltshire for a third year.

“I'm really happy to be staying with the organisation because we are progressing as a club and have been getting better every year that I have been here.

“There is a lot that is going on behind the scenes and we're developing some really good young talent which is exciting for the club's future and I'm really excited to be getting involved with the Okanagan Hockey Academy too.

“It's an example of how this club are moving forwards and agreeing a new deal with the club was a really easy decision to make."

Wildcats head coach Ryan Aldridge was pleased to be able to tie Melichar down to a new contract, and is hoping he will play an important part in a successful 2012/13 season. “It's great to have Jan back in the squad for next season,” he said.

“He is one of the best defensive players in the league and he works every shift, he encourages and works with the other defencemen to improve their game as well.

“He is a real gentleman around the rink and a true professional at all times.

“It will be his third season with the club and he really is an asset that we didn't want to lose."

Melichar is the seventh member of last year’s squad to agree terms to remain at the club, along with Aldridge, Shane Moore, Paul Swindlehurst, Aaron Nell, Nicky Watt and netminder Thomas Murdy.

l SWINDON Panthers defeated Streatham Chiefs 5-3 as the teams met for the first time in two years in the Summer Cup at the Link Centre.

Panthers took the lead after eight minutes, when an Alan Bishop shot hit the Chiefs goalkeeper on the back of the helmet and dropped into the net.

The visitors equalised at 15.36 courtesy of Corkman, but after the second period started Swindon began to turn the screw.

Gloveman Webster kept the hosts at bay on plenty of occasions but at 25.59 Paul Wojciak combined with Drew Chapman to put the Panthers 2-1 up.

At 34.45 Chapman hammered the puck against the bottom boards and Scott Gough followed up well at speed to finish in the top corner.

As Streatham vainly tried to hit back, they were undone as Chapman set up Dan King on the breakaway and he rounded Webster to finish.

Chiefs set up a nervous finale with goals at 49.22 and 56.14, but Wojack’s second at 57.13 completed the Swindon victory.

Swindon would like to thank the Harvester pub by the Link Centre for their sponsorship this season.