Stewart was picked up by Montreal Canadiens in the 2003 NHL draft

Newcastle Vipers new player-coach Danny Stewart has promised supporters he will aim to bring a more attractive style of hockey to the club next season.

Stewart, 31, follows the departed Rob Wilson at the Vipers helm for the 2010-11 season and is keen to add brains to the brawn within the squad.

Stewart told the club website: "We are looking to have a team to entertain.

"There's no point having ten guys who can fight but not play, it's about finding the mix of attributes."

Stewart is an experienced centre, having played in the Elite League for Basingstoke and Coventry, as well as for the Montreal Canadiens, for whom he was an NHL draft pick in 2003.

The post is the Canadian's first in coaching, and the former Coventry Blaze centre revealed the opportunity to combine playing duties with the post of head coach was an inviting one.

"The Newcastle job certainly pricked my interest when it came up. I talked to Paul Thompson about it then spoke with the Vipers management," Stewart said.

While I'm not a young buck anymore, I'm not exactly an old guy so being able to continue playing while starting my coaching career also appeals New Vipers player-coach Dan Stewart

"I hadn't made a conscious decision to look for a coaching job, but it was certainly something I was interested in moving towards.

"While I'm not a young buck anymore, I'm not exactly an old guy so being able to continue playing while starting my coaching career also appeals.

"This coming season is like a clean break, a fresh start in Newcastle - with coach Wilson stepping down and also Paddy O'Connor coming back to the club. It felt like an opportunity too good to miss."

Vipers parted company with Wilson after the 2009-10 Elite League season, having been eliminated from the play-offs by Belfast Giants at the opening stage.

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