RYAN Aldridge has backed import Jan Melichar to produce the goods for Swindon Wildcats both on and off the ice next season.

The Cats head coach was delighted to be able bring the Czech defenceman back to the Link Centre for another spell, and although he is convinced his no-nonsense hockey will help his side move up the English Premier League table, that is not all he offers to the club.

Melichar worked closely with youngster Stephen Whitfield throughout last season to help improve his game both on and off the ice, and Aldridge paid tribute to the work the import has put in with the club’s young star..

“For as long as I have known Jan he seems to take a young player under his wing, and last year that was Steve Whitfield,” he said.

“Young players can learn from those with a lot of experience, and we want our imports to be taking youngsters under their wing.

“Jan resembles that perfectly, and he sets a great example to the other players which I hope he continues to do for as long as he is with us.

“He is a superb player too, and I think he is probably one of the toughest guys in the league who puts his body on the line every time he plays.”

Aldridge is hopeful Melichar and Whitfield will continue to work with each other next season, and believes the partnership is already paying off for the club.

“Stevie works his socks off, and if he is not in the gym he is out the back doing sprints, and if he is not doing that he is doing something else to make himself better,” he said.

“Jan has been a big influence on that, there is no doubt about it.

“If Jan sees something in practice he could do a little better he will do it, like seeing the pass and getting his head up, and talks to him about things.

“They are in the gym together and Jan makes sure he does things properly, and the specific workouts for hockey.”

“Stevie will go from strength to strength next season I am sure, and there are a number of things we will be working with him on over the summer.

“We will look to improve his play on the ice, and off it as well, because he stepped in last year against some big players and did very well.”