SWINDON Wildcats general manager Steve Nell says that he’s more than comfortable allowing Stevie Lyle to have full control of on-ice issues at the Link Centre this season.

After being announced as Ryan Aldridge’s successor back in March, netminder Lyle is preparing to embark on his first season in charge of the Wildcats, which gets underway when Peterborough Phantoms travel to West Swindon on Saturday (face-off 5.45pm).

Nell will not be meddling too much in the affairs of his coaching staff as he looks for Swindon to make their mark in the English Premier League.

Head honcho Nell wasn’t surprised to see his goalie’s appointment as head coach greeted by raised eyebrows, but is certain that the right decision has been made, with Kenton Smith providing Lyle with the perfect foil as he helps direct the Wildcats from the bench.

“I am sure there are quite a few people who were surprised when I announced Stevie as the coach. Being a goalie, it is a little bit different, but if he prepares during the week, plus the experience of the senior players, then the bench will be fine,” said the Cats GM.

“You have got Kenton on the bench as well. We didn’t announce Kenton straight away, but he was pretty much there from the start.

“It works dual-purpose for an extra import and having him on the bench.

“He is a great example and great for young people to see. When he did get the chance to play last season, he was brilliant.

“Because everything is done via email now - when looking for players and dealing with agents - Stevie went off looking for his players.

“We would talk about the budgets and talk about the players, but I don’t get too closely involved in the choosing. I let him do that because that is his job.

“If he asks for advice, then I will give him my opinion but he has got to make the decision. If I start making those decisions, then I might as well be doing his job and that is not what it is about.

“It wasn’t much different to Ryan. There were a few things he didn’t know but it’s not a big deal.”