AARON Nell has no doubt that Stevie Lyle has all the right attributes to make the transition from player to coach when he takes over at the Swindon Wildcats at the end of the season.

Netminder Lyle will replace current boss Ryan Aldridge at the Link Centre for the 2015-16 campaign, although he will remain on the ice in a player/coach role.

Former Great Britain international Lyle is the most experienced player on the Cats’ current roster, and spent long spells of his career in the English Elite League as well as playing on the continent.

He arrived at Swindon in 2013 but from this summer the 36-year-old will have to go from one of the lads to the man in charge.

Nell says that will not be a problem because of the esteem Lyle is held in in the locker room.

“Stevie has been by far the best player in the league this year,” said forward Nell, whose side host Bracknell tonight (6pm).

“I’ve never seen a player have so much respect from everyone else on the team. He’s been so good and saved us a lot.

“People have said ‘a goalie being player/coach’ but it has been done before and a goalie can see more than anyone on the ice and I think he’s going to be excellent.

“He’s got so much respect in the dressing room and I know people are trying maybe a little bit harder now for him now he’s the coach.

“He’s got so much respect from the boys and myself and the whole club. He’s going to be a great leader for us.”

Earlier this week Nell and D-man Stevie Whitfield became the first two players to commit to Lyle’s new regime when they agreed new contracts for next season.

Although the rest of Lyle’s plans for 2015-16 remain a closely-guarded secret, Nell says Cats fans they have plenty to look forward to.

“He’s not really discussed plans, I just know he’s quite excited and he feels he’s going to be able to have a good team and, like every year, we just want to improve on the last,” added Nell.

“He’s going to get good people around him and I think we’ll have a great team next year.”

WILDCATS first charity golf day will take place on Friday, April 24 at Broome Manor Golf Club from 11am. Contact Nell on aaron.nell@swindonwildcats.com for more details.