SWINDON Wildcats have announced head coach Ryan Aldridge is to be replaced by netminder Stevie Lyle as head coach for the 2015/16 season.

Aldridge, who has been at the Link Centre helm since 2009, is moving on to become head coach at the Swindon-based Okanagan Academy.

Once that was decided, Cats general manager Steve Nell had no hesitation in turning to Great Britain veteran Lyle when seeking a new man to take charge.

Lyle has made 90 appearances for the Wildcats over the last two seasons and will combine the role with his duties as first line netminder. The 35-year-old is enthralled by the prospect of filling Aldridge’s skates.

“I’m excited about the new challenge," said Lyle.

"I’ve got ideas about how I will run things in terms of the bench and coaching and I’ve discussed these with Steve and Ryan and they’re both happy with my plans.

“I’d already been talking to Steve [Nell, Wildcats General Manager] and Ryan [Aldridge] about coming back as a player next season and they asked me if I’d be interested in taking on the coach’s role and it seemed a great opportunity.

 “Swindon is a great, upcoming club that’s heading in the right direction and even during the time I’ve been here, I’ve seen it making massive strides forward so it’s good to know that I will be part of its future.”

“Now I have to start learning to combine the roles of player and coach. With Ryan still at the helm to the end of this season I can start putting together my team for next year while remaining fully focused on-ice.”