The Bespoke Guardians Swindon Wildcats can confirm that Dean Skinns has put pen to paper and signed for the 21/22 NIHL Season. Dean now joins fellow netminders Renny Marr and Michael Crisp as our Netminding trio for the new season.
Before missing the Covid impacted season of 20/21, Dean had spent the previous season with the MK Lightning. Before the move to MK he had spells around the M4 at Bracknell, Basingstoke and Guildford whilst they were in the EPL.
Skinnsy is a multiple trophy winning netminder having twice won the EPL Playoffs, twice won the EPL cup and also was the League & Cup champion with the Basingstoke Bison the 17/18 NIHLS1 season. Dean also spent time in Swindon between 2011-2013 where he formed a tandem with Tom Murdy.
Speaking after confirming the latest name on his 21/22 roster Head Coach Aaron Nell was quick to praise the potential of the trio:
“Bringing Skinnsy in is massive for us. We already had one of the best netminders in the league in Renny and now we have a goalie who led his team to the league title just 3 years ago too.
I think the flexibility of having a duo like Renny and Dean will really help us as a team. They’re both capable of being our starting netminder and whilst Renny will be our starting netminder, Dean can play games when called upon which I think will be good for Renny as well.
We could be playing upwards of 60 games this year, and for that reason I think it’s important to have two goalies. No-one could manage that schedule on their own and I think we’ll have one of the strongest Netminding duos in the National League. As a coach to have two goalies I can call upon night in night out will only benefit the team going forward.
Similarly, Dean himself was delighted to have secured a move back to Swindon after a few years away:
It’s a great feeling to be coming back to Swindon. It was a great club to play for before and it’s only gotten better since I was last here. Swindon has been a top team in the last few years so it will be good to help them on their hunt for silverware this year.
It was an easy decision to come back, I think the club is one of if not the best ran club in the league and that will only make us more successful on the ice. I’m looking forward to working with Renny. He’s shown his ability to compete in every game and I’m sure that will only push us both to be the best we can be every night for the team.
Every year I set a goal to be consistent on the ice and if we as goalies give our team the best chance to win every night then I think it rubs off on everyone else in the team. We have to have a winning attitude from the first puck drop.
I’m really excited to get back on the ice again, missing the last season has made me miss the game I love even more and it’s been a long time since I iced in a game. With restrictions coming to an end I’m just counting down the days until we can set foot on the ice and see the Wildcats fans again.
If you are interested in sponsoring Dean or any of the Wildcats players please email sally.price@swindonwildcats.com for more information.
