NETMINDER Stevie Lyle said he turned down offers to re-join the Elite League before committing himself to the Swindon Wildcats for three years on Monday.

The 36-year-old started his career with Elite League outfit Cardiff Devils and also enjoyed a spell with Belfast Giants but thought sticking in the English Premier League was the right step at this stage in his career.

“I am really happy with the deal,” he told the Adver.

“There were a couple of other offers on the table for the same length of time but I enjoy being part of Swindon and I think it is the right move for myself.

“A couple of those offers were from the Elite League but I didn’t feel like that was the right move for me at this point in my career.

“They are always getting better in Swindon, they are on the up and it is good to be part of it.”

With the import allowance expected to go up to five in the league next year, Lyle is predicting a large percentage of the clubs will opt for an import netminder next term and hopes that he could give Swindon an edge.

“Hopefully having a British goalie will mean we have that extra import on the ice,” added the Welshman.

“As long as I am doing my job at my end it should be a good thing freeing up that import place and so do the club.”

Only two years ago Lyle threatened to hang up his gloves but opted to stick in between the pipes and despite the start to his coaching career not going to plan he said it had no impact on his decision to remain at the club.

“It is all water under the bridge now,” he said.

“I tried coaching and I just didn’t think I was ready for that kind of job while I was still playing.

“As the weeks were getting on it was getting away from me a bit more and I am happy just playing now.

“I still feel fine out there and I don’t think I am behind the pace or anything like that.

“You never know when you do have to retire, whether it is through an injury or something, but in my eyes right now I want to keep on playing while I am still enjoying it and while I still can.

“Three years sounds like a long time but I have already played 22 and they have flown by so what is an extra three?

“I think it is good to have that core of the team in place early. Aaron (Nell) has a couple of players that he believes in and wants to create the team around to go forward.

“Aaron still speaks to me a bit about what I think about certain guys so I will always give my opinion when it comes to recruitment but at the end of the day he is the one who has to make the decisions now.”