ICE HOCKEY: Wildcats welcome back Baird (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

ICE HOCKEY: Wildcats welcome back Baird

8:00am Friday 14th May 2010 in News

The Swindon Wildcats today announce the return of respected defenceman Joe Baird to their roster for the forthcoming English Premier Ice Hockey League campaign.

Baird, 29, returns for his second spell with the Wildcats after impressing with his workrate and competence on the 'Cats blue-line.

The no-nonsense, hard hitting player put in extra-long shifts despite playing through an upper-body injury in the latter part of the Wildcats' season, and Coach Aldridge is delighted to welcome the experienced defender back.

"Joe had a solid year for us last year and he was another player that I knew that I had to get back for next season," he said.

"You know what you get with Joe every night.

"He keeps it simple, plays hard taking the body where necessary and has an edge that players are unsure of that can give him time and space.

"I wanted to keep the core of the team together after our surge at the end of last season and Joe is a big part of that core."