THE future of Swindon Lynx Ice Hockey Club has been thrown into deeper doubt with player-coach Merv Priest looking set to leave the club.

Only last month Priest, who scored 66 goals last season and was by far Swindon's most influential player, told the Evening Advertiser that if a new structure at the club was sorted out then he would consider staying on as player-coach.

But Priest, who is also employed to run Cardiff's junior set-up, now looks set to leave Swindon to join the Welsh club on a more permanent basis.

Cardiff plan to enter their junior side in the English Premier League next season, and it is believed that Priest will be their player-coach.

Although the Canadian forward revealed that he could be playing his hockey in Cardiff next season, he did admit that he did not really want to leave Swindon.

"I would have thoroughly enjoyed coming back to Swindon next season, but the circumstances mean my hands are tied.

"My employers are Cardiff and, although things are up in the air, if they enter a team in the EPL next season then I will be playing for them. I'm afraid I have to think of No 1.

"I have been away for a week and before I left I was going to play for Cardiff. But things might change.

"I go back to work tomorrow so will see where everything lies then. But it is going to be Swindon or Cardiff."

Swindon's future is by no means secured, a factor that may help Priest's decision.

The 29-year-old took over the reigns at Swindon from Bryan Larkin at the start of last season, but on and off-the-ice problems have left him frustrated.

The club struggled to finish the campaign, let alone win any silverware.

Swindon could now struggle to replace goal-machine Priest, who finished third top goalscorer and fifth top points scorer in the English National Premier League.

And his departure could also cast doubt over the future of several other players, such as Cardiff-based Dan Madge and netminder Gregg Rockman, who Priest brought to Swindon at the start of last season.

There is no obvious successor to replace Priest but, providing senior ice hockey is secured at the Link Centre, then the likes of Ken Forshee and skipper Lee Brathwaite could be in contention for the job.

Forshee is currently working towards a level two coaching badge, while the influential Brathwaite could well feel ready to take even more control of the team.