THE Bespoke Guardians Swindon Wildcats have announced the signing of Canadian import Colby Tower.

The 25-year-old recently completed a four-year spell with Nipissing University in the Canadian USports league and hails from Troy Nova Scotia in Canada.

Tower, a two-way forward, began his career with the Valley Wildcats after spending time with some Canadian junior teams.

In 2014, he moved into the QMJHL, where he spent two seasons with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, posting 28 points in 96 games.

Two years later, after a seven-game period with the Grande Prairie Storm, Tower moved to Miramichi where he posted 39 points in 36 games in his second season with the Timberwolves.

In 2018, the forward moved to Nipissing where he began his university career. Despite missing a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Tower returned to the team for the 2021-22 season and was appointed captain before leading his team to the conference semi-finals.

Moving to Swindon will see his first hockey steps outside of Canada, but both Tower and Wildcats head coach Aaron Nell are excited to see him in action.

Nell said: "I’m over the moon to have secured Colby’s signature for the new season.

"There were a few teams interested in him and I’m delighted he’s picked Swindon. He’s a smart, two-way forward who’s quick across the ice.

"I think he’ll complement the rest of our forward lines very well and will fit really well into the locker-room.

"We wanted to bring a younger, hungrier import into the line-up to energise the team and make us faster, and Colby certainly ticks those boxes.

"Being captain of his team will also add some more leadership and experience into the locker-room this year, and I cannot wait for him to arrive in Swindon.

Meanwhile, Tower said: "I’m super excited to come to the UK, get settled in Swindon and get to know everyone.

"I’m especially excited to meet all the fans and get onto the ice and get started."