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Toms Rutkis signs contract extension at the Swindon Wildcats
Toms Rutkis of the Swindon Wildcats has signed a contract extension at the club, which keeps him in Wiltshire until the end of the 2017-18 season.
Rutkis made the step-up from the Okanagan Hockey Academy ahead of the 2015-16 and, since then, the 19-year-old has scored 14 goals and contributed nine assists in his 75 games for the Cats.
Speaking after agreeing his new contract Toms said: “I’m happy to be back in Swindon for another year, it’s a great club and I’ve enjoyed my time here.
"It’s going to be my third full season at the club and I’m looking to bring more to the team and have a bigger impact.
"I’m excited and looking forward to next season. I’m going to be bringing 100% to every game and looking to win every night."
Head coach Aaron Nell is delighted Rutkis has put pen to paper, saying:
“Toms is a great young player that we are delighted to have with us again next season. He plays the game with great speed and he goes to the tough areas of the ice to score goals. He is still young and has lots to work on, but I know he is prepared to do that and take his game to the next level.
"I believe Toms can really help our secondary scoring and chip in with more goals and that is something we have never really had throughout our line-up.”
A knee injury sustained in October meant Rutkis missed nearly three months of the season, but Nell firmly believes Rutkis will not be affected and went as far as saying he will come back a better player.
“He had a tough injury last season but came back strong and I know he wants to improve again next season”.
Rutkis has represented his country on an international level representing GB at both U18 and U20 level.
Current 2017-18 Roster:
Toms Rutkis – Forward
Sam Bullas – Forward
Aaron Nell – Forward
Tomasz Malasinski – Forward
Stevie Whitfield – Defence
Stevie Lyle – Netminder
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