HOURS after Renny Marr was confirmed as Swindon Wildcats’ first winter signing ahead of the 2020-21 National League season, fellow Scot Tyler Plews has penned a fresh deal too.

Plews, 22, first iced for the Link Centre outfit in Autumn 2018 after signing from Elite League club Edinburgh Capitals.

His move to Wiltshire was the first time he based himself outside of his homeland, and the defenceman has settled into life down south well since.

This season in particular, Plews has excelled on the ice – scoring six goals and registering 11 assists in 45 NIHL appearances.

And Wildcats player-coach Aaron Nell has noted the improvement, which is ultimately the reason behind his fresh Swindon contract.

Nell said: “Tyler (Plews) has loved his two seasons with the club, and he has really improved in that period of time.

“He has enjoyed a great season, and taken on more responsibility following Sam Jones’ departure – all of the D had to take a bit more on when Jones moved on.

“But Tyler has stepped up to the challenge, and he is a great person to have in the locker room.

“He’s the type of player I’d like to stay here so long as he is happy to do so.”

Plews will be back in action on Saturday when Swindon host MK Lightning in the National League – a crunch test against an improving team that currently sits sixth in the competitive 10-team division.

Boasting players including Russ Cowley, Cale Tanaka and even Rod Stewart’s son Liam, Lightning will arrive in Wiltshire full of confidence having won four of their last five games.

It’s in situations like this where Nell will look towards Plews to deliver a typically reliable performance.

He added: “It took Tyler a while to adapt to the league, but this year I believe he has gone from strength to strength.

“He’s scored six goals this season, and some of those goals have been huge for us.

“He plays in all situations, to be fair all four of our top D play an awful lot and I think Tyler is right near the top when it comes to ice time.

“Tyler is the type of player I want to build the team around. He’s still young, and the exact type of player I want in Swindon.”