MATIAS Perkkio has revealed the virtual guarantee of ice time was behind his decision to leave his homeland and start afresh with Swindon.

The six-foot winger played for Hockey-Team Oy Vaasa Sport in Finland last year, but feels turning out in the English Premier League for the Wiltshire outfit will see him rack up game minutes.

It may not have been an easy decision for the 25-year-old given that he won a championship medal with Vaasa Sport, but he felt it was worth it.

“The first thing is that I want to play,” said “I played in the second division in Finland last year and my role changed as sometimes I was first line and sometimes I was fourth line.

“Sometimes I played under 10 minutes a game and that was not good. Obviously in England when you are an import, you play, so that’s the main thing.”

Perkkio arrived in Wiltshire on Saturday and was straight away thrown into the cut and thrust of the Wildcats’ pre-season launch, as he and his fellow squad members were introduced to press, sponsors and fans.

And the Scandinavian admitted he was itching to get going following a fitness-driven off-season.

“It’s been a long summer to practise alone back home and I’m excited to get on the ice,” he said.

“I’ve been in the gym, running, cycling and stuff like that, but it doesn’t excite me like playing.

“It’s very expensive to get on the ice in the summer time, although I’ve managed to do that five to 10 times in these last few weeks.”