ROB Wilson has expressed his excitement about the season ahead with his new-look Vipers team.

Having retired to the coaching bench, Wilson has spent his summer giving a different shape to the side and admits that while he does not expect to win it all, it will not be for the lack of trying.

"I'm quite excited about the upcoming season. We've changed the whole format of the team," he said.

"This team has a lot of speed, a lot of skill, some European influence with the North American mentality, which I think's really important in our league.

"I feel very comfortable with our defensive core. The four defencemen all have good experience, with Richie Thornton and Jez Lundin there to fill in where needed.

"We've brought in a goalie, Ryan MacDonald, who comes with a huge reputation. He's a very young guy but everybody's talking really well of him and I think he's a guy who will shock a lot of people in the league.

"I think we're going to be very exciting and I think we are going to be very quick.

"I want to win all three trophies. Is that feasible? Probably not. But I think we will be there or thereabouts and if we gel and play hard we should be challenging for things. I'm quite excited about the campaign."

At the pre-season media day, Wilson unveiled his captain, David Longstaff and one of the men who will carry the A on his chest, Jeff Hutchins. Shaun Johnson will be the other alternate.

Wilson said: "Jeff Hutchins has proven on the ice that he's a great player and has embraced the team. I've brought Jeff in to be one of the leaders of this team."

Hutchins admitted that the response from Vipers fans had been a concern, with the former Belfast forward being a player both admired for his skill by the Tyneside faithful, and disliked for his style of play.

He said: "My great concern when I was talking to Rob about signing was the fans' and how they were going to react. But, Rob was saying that people are forgiving and it won't take them long to come around."

Wilson added: "After he scores his first goal, it will be forgotten. When I talked to Jeff, in my own head I thought if he's disliked by our fans so much, there must be something he's doing right."