SWINDON Wildcats' new number 40 Carlo Finucci is already a number one hit after hitting the ground running in his debut weekend.

The Canadian may have only landed in the country last Wednesday, but he was quick to shake off the jet lag and get the fans chanting his name.

Having chipped in with the 10th goal in Swindon’s rout of Sheffield Steeldogs, the 27-year-old added two more the next day in the overtime defeat to Telford Tigers.

“It’s been a while since I played a hockey game, so it was good to get out there,” said Finucci.

“It was a great reception from the crowd - that was amazing.

“I guess there has been a little bit of hype coming in with the departure of the last guy and me coming in to fill that spot.

“It’s a lot different practising, practising and practising, which is what I have been doing back home, to actually playing a game.

“It took me a few shifts to realise that I had a bit more time with the puck and once I did, I was able to take guys on and use my speed.

“Now I need to build on that in every game and keep using my speed and the stuff that makes me a good player.”

Despite his fast start to life in the English Premier League, Finucci is confident that there is still more to come from him once he irons out a few of the creases left from a summer without having a team.

The Canadian has been impressed with his teammates after just two practise sessions with them and believes that Swindon can do well this season if they all buy into the system.

“It probably didn’t look so smooth in the first two practises, that’s for sure,” he added.

“I’m getting used to the new gear and all that stuff and have felt pretty stiff.

“I’ve gelled pretty quickly after a couple of shifts with my line-mates and that felt good.

“Hopefully we can do that for the rest of the season - they are great players so it’s going to be exciting.

“Sami (Ryhanen) is one of my line-mates and he is a great passer - I could see that from practice - and Nelly (Aaron Nell) is a big guy with a great shot.

“It’s about systems and guys buying in and I think we have got a strong group here. It’s about suring up our systems and playing as a team every night.”