Swindon Wildcats have confirmed netminder Stevie Lyle has agreed a further three seasons with the club.

The Great Britain international has enjoyed a long career in British Ice Hockey, icing for the likes of Cardiff Devils, Belfast Giants and Basingstoke Bison before joining the Wildcats in 2013.

The 36-year-old started the current EPL season as the club’s Player/Coach, but stepped down from the role back in October, with Aaron Nell taking over the duties.

“We’re absolutely ecstatic that we have signed Stevie Lyle,” Nell told the Swindon Advertiser.

“He is the most valuable player in this league and he has carried us for three years now.

“He is a great, great goalie and we are delighted that we have signed him.

“I think it is the biggest signing ever for our club. When we signed Stevie that was massive, but to be able to get him for three more years and how it is with the import goalies, we are delighted.

“We have been talking and to be able to have that security, for him and for us, it’s great and I am sure a lot of people didn’t think we’d be able to get him.

“He is our franchise player and the player we build our club around and for him to be here for another three years, we are very happy.

“He has obviously got a god-given talent, but he comes to play every night.

“He comes, he has got a smile on his face in practice and you know what you are going to get from Stevie and that is the most important thing.

“That is something we are trying to build here – we want to know what we are going to get from people.”

(Image permission: Tony Sargent)