The Bespoke Guardians Swindon Wildcats are overjoyed to announce that Russ Cowley will be putting the skates on for one final season before retirement at the Better Link Centre this season.
Russ, a legend of British Hockey, joined the Cats last summer after a spell with the MK Lightning and quickly became a fan favourite with the Wildcats faithful. He posted a 70-point season, his most productive season in his career, before injury sadly ruled him out of the playoff campaign.
His career began with the Swindon Chill in the 1999-2000 season before a very successful career saw him play hockey with the Coventry Blaze, Cardiff Devils, Basingstoke Bison and MK Lightning before returning to Swindon.
He’ll also go down as one of the most capped GB players of all time, competing at 12 Team GB World Championships earning 1 Bronze, 3 Silver Medals and finally a gold medal in his final tournament with GB in Belfast in 2017. He also iced in two Olympic Qualifying groups in 2008 and 2015.
Speaking to swindonwildcats.com Russ said:
I’m delighted to be coming back to Swindon for one more year. I started my hockey career here and it only feels right this is where I ice for my final season.
Last year was great and I really enjoyed my time with the club and I’m looking forward to getting back on the ice very soon. On a personal level it was a successful season but really difficult to miss out on the helping the team on the ice in the playoffs and I’m coming back with some unfinished business.
With the team Aaron has put together there’s no reason we can’t be successful next year. Have a good summer Wildcats fans and I’ll see you in September.
Meanwhile Head Coach Aaron Nell added:
Russ was a huge part of our team last year both on and off the ice. Once we knew he wanted to play for another season it was an easy decision to bring him back to Swindon. On the ice he was tremendous for us and scored some invaluable points. He was big on the special teams, and he had some really good games for us last year.
In the locker room he was a leader and with some more young guys on the team this year what they’ll learn from players like Russ will be incredibly valuable to them. With Stevie and Russ bowing out at the end of the season we’ll be working incredibly hard to make sure they walk away with a trophy in hand.
We’re also delighted to confirm that CT Bookkeeping Services will be his player sponsor for the new season, who’ll be joining us as first year sponsors!
