THE Bespoke Guardians Swindon Wildcats have signed British forward Glenn Billing ahead of the 2023-24 Planet Ice National Division season.

Billing – who spent the past six seasons with the Peterborough Phantoms – was the Wildcats top target in the off-season, according to head coach Aaron Nell, after becoming his former team’s highest point scorer last season through a combination of 22 goals and 57 assists.

The 25-year-old began his career in Romford but moved to Swindon over a decade ago in order to join the Okanagan Hockey academy.

After playing a vital role in their 2014-15 campaign, Billing made his senior debut that season, playing for the Wildcats in their EPL and Challenge Cup fixtures.

Speaking to swindonwildcats.com, Billing said: “I’m delighted to be coming back to Swindon. It wasn’t an easy decision for me to leave Peterborough and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, however, for some personal reasons the travel was getting too much.

“When Aaron and Steve [Nell] approached me, it was an easy decision to sign here.

“The roster Aaron puts together is always exciting. There are always some big players here like Aaron and [Tomasz] Malasinski, and the Wildcats are always a skilled roster which is something that attracted me to come back here.

“The goal for me is always team trophies first, and it was amazing to be the only team to stop Leeds last year and winning the Cup.

“Anything personal on top of that is an absolute bonus and I feel like my offensive game is getting better every year and I’m excited to work with someone like Aaron who excels in that area, and hopefully can continue to improve.

“My game is a two-way forward, but I take pride in being responsible in my own zone and trying to link up the play and create offense.”

Meanwhile, Nell added: “Glenn was our top summer target, and I’m over the moon to have him signed up.

“He’s a player we’ve waited to have a chance to sign for a couple of years nowt, and I’m delighted to have got the deal done.

“He’s one of the best British centres in the league and is going to help us all over the ice, and in all situations, ahead of the new year.

“He’s coming off his best season in Peterborough and he’s only just reaching his peak years.

“Today, the Swindon Wildcats got better and it’s a brilliant day for the club and the fans, who I’m sure will be as happy as I am to see him skate out in the red and white in September!”