NETMINDER Michael Crisp cites teammate Stevie Lyle as one of the main reasons he re-signed for the Wildcats for the up and coming season.

As well as learning from veteran Lyle, Crisp claimed the English Premier Ice Hockey League is in a good place at the moment and is eager to get on the ice, admitting that he couldn’t pass on an opportunity to link up with Stevie Lyle again.

“As a goalie you want to play as high as you can, the league is a strong league right now and it was the right move at the right time to be honest,” said the 25 year-old.

“When I spoke to Aaron Nell in the summer, who wouldn’t pass up a good opportunity to work with Stevie Lyle?

“It’s one of the main draws. He is one of the best goalkeepers in this country and he’s still playing for GB.

"God knows how old he is right now, it’s a good opportunity to learn from him.

“You don’t stop learning in this game no matter how old you are especially at my age, if Stevie is going to watch and tell me then I am going to listen.”

“ It’s a win-win situation, I’ve played on the same team as Stevie for four of my pro seasons and every year you learn something different.”

Crisp also said nothing much has changed since he was at the club last and that he was happy to see so many young players at the club.

“Not a lot has changed, the backroom staff are 100 per cent committed, it’s a really good club to be a part of,” said the former Cardiff Devil.

“The team is a lot younger this year, but the league is getting younger and better so it’s a good thing to see the young guys here.

“These young guys can learn a hell of a lot from guys like Max (Birbraer), Stevie and Mark Smith those guys have so much experience in different leagues so it is a good thing.”

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