A BLACKROD ice-hockey player has just linked up with a former Great Britain coach and hopes the move will develop his international future.

Paul Swindlehurst was part of the GB team that brought home a silver medal from the European Championships two months ago.

The 22-year-old defenceman has left Dundee Stars and has gone back to his roots at Nottingham Panthers where he started as a junior to the side managed by Corey Neilson.

Neilson gave the ex-Rivington and Blackrod pupil his international bow two seasons ago when he was in charge for the European Championships.

Swindlehurst said: "It is a very exciting move for me.

"Nottingham did not have a great season by coming fourth in the league when they normally win a trophy.

"It is only a few years ago when they won the treble and I am going to a team that is expecting to win something.

"If you don't have expectations then you should not be doing sport.

"I am still a very young guy and Corey has an experienced defensive unit and that is where I will improve by learning from them.

"I want to establish myself as a top player at the club and in the Great Britain squads."

Swindlehurst scored his first international goal for the senior GB team when they beat Holland in the recent silver-medal winning campaign.

His career in domestic senior hockey saw him start at Swindon in the minors before moving to Dundee for the last two seasons in the Elite League.

Speaking on the Panthers website coach Corey Neilson said: "We tried to sign Paul a year ago, he’s ambitious and it didn’t work out for us then then, but we’re delighted to have added him to our core of British talent now. He’s going to get better and better.”

Swindlehurst added: "Corey spoke to me about joining but I had just signed a contract with Dundee.

"This year it gave me the opportunity to join and I know the progress I made under him and I cannot wait until the season starts again.

"I see this as a step up as they will make me a better player and it just depends on whether I play or not.

"I might have to sacrifice some ice-time this season but I will be learning in the long-run.

"I want to create a name for myself and I want to develop from the players with NHL and AHL experience."

Swindlehurst admits he was thankful to Dundee for helping him develop as a player.

"They are a top team and it was great to play in the Elite League with them.

"The club did everything I wanted and they were very friendly."

During his time at Dundee Swindlehurst ranks making his Great Britain debut and playing for the national team as one of his biggest achievements along with travelling to America to pursue an ice-hockey career there.

Unfortunately he had a visa problem which affected his chances of staying there to play.

Paul was back with Dundee for the remainder of last season and played 39 games taking his Elite League tally to 99 games.