THE Bespoke Guardians Swindon Wildcats have announced Ben Nethersell has agreed to re-sign for the club's 2022-23 NIHL National Division campaign.

Nethersell adds to a talented group of defenceman and provides head coach Aaron Nell with another option for when the Wildcats' season gets underway in September.

The 24-year-old defenceman will once more be a part of a team with former Okanagan Hockey Academy defenceman Ollie Stone, after the latter joined from Basingstoke Bison late last month.

Nethersell and Stone followed Stevie Whitfield and Dean Skinns as defenceman to have renewed their Wildcats deals this summer.

Discussing the latest addition, Swindon's head coach Nell said: "I’m pleased to bring Ben back for another season.

"With the defensive departures we’ve had, I’m sure he’ll have a bigger role to play than before.

"He moves the puck well and he reads the game really well from the back end.

"He had a good season last time out and I’m excited to see how he performs over the course of the 22-23 campaign.

"I know he’s excited to get back on the ice, like we all are, in just a few weeks’ time."

The 24-year-old has been ever present in the Wildcats team since breaking into the side in 2016.

Nethersell began his career in Streatham before moving to Swindon to be a part of the OHA where he competed at both Under-16 and Under-18 levels.

The defenceman has made appearances for Team GB at international level as well, representing the U18 side in two tournaments in 2015 and 2016.

Aside from a brief stint with the Oxford City Stars, Nethersell has been a part of the Cats side ever since then and has played his part in all of the club's successes over the last few seasons.

Elsewhere, it was confirmed that the 2022-23 National Division will begin on Saturday, September 17.

The National Division Owners Group met last week to finalise the structure and dates for the new league campaign.

Next season will comprise of 11 teams and 56 regular season games per team followed by the play-offs and championship finals weekend.

Every team will play eight other teams home and away three times each, and two sides just twice in both rinks, in order to make up the 56-game campaign.