SWINDON Wildcats will start and finish their pre-season schedule with games against Basingstoke Bison.

The Cats will host the reigning EPIHL champions at the Link Centre on Wednesday, August 31 (face-off 7.45pm) before Aaron Nell - in his first full season as Wildcats player-coach - takes his side to Basingstoke on Wednesday, September 7 (face-off 7.30pm).

The Wildcats are poised to reveal further pre-season fixture dates later today, with ticket prices being released in due course.

Meanwhile, Jan Kostal will continue as captain for the 2016/17 campaign.

Forward Kostal has led the Cats for the last two seasons, having amassed more than 140 appearances since arriving during the 2013/14 campaign.

The 36-year-old has posted 142 points in three seasons, including 16 goals and 23 assists for 39 points last term.

Neil Liddiard and Lee Richardson are both set to resume the assistant captains’ roles they carried out last season.

Nell said: “It was very easy. They are three great people and they are very well respected in our team and in our dressing room.

“It was a no-brainer to keep Jan Kostal as the captain and Lee Richardson and Neil Liddiard as the assistants.

“You don’t really have to worry about the three of them and how they are playing - they are always going to give the same every night and they are really well respected in our dressing room.’’