Edinburgh Capitals’ Scott Neil admits he’s been overwhelmed by the positive messages he received on the club’s return as they prepare for their first game in four years.

The Caps are returning to the SNL and have a tough game in prospect when they travel to Fife Ice Arena to take on current champions Kirkcaldy Kestrels on Saturday.

And Neil is excited about the start of a new journey for Edinburgh, under head coach Steven Lynch.

“The reaction to our return has been surprising and the positive messages we’ve had has been overwhelming, so we’re really delighted about that.

“We’re hoping all hockey fans in Edinburgh and surrounding areas can get their way back to Murrayfield and support the team.

“I’m very excited for the team to be back involved in hockey again, get ice back down in Murrayfield and playing for the rink which is a major component of trying to make the whole operation work.

“It’s definitely good to get the guys playing again and get the Capitals back on the go again.

“We’ve brought in Steven Lynch as a coach and not only is he doing a great job putting the team together, I’ve left a lot of hockey decision and thought processes to him.

“He knows I’m always here if he wants to ask anything and it looks as though we’ve put not too bad a team together, but the proof of the pudding will be when we start playing again.”

While work continues to restore Murrayfield Ice Rink – which will host its first game in the middle of October – the Capitals will be on the road and have been training in Fife.

Neil knows Saturday’s meeting with Kestrels will be a tough one for the new-look Edinburgh side and hopes they can pick up some points before they can get home.

He added: “Kirkcaldy has been a home from home for us so maybe there’s something about playing there in our first game back, especially with players in our team from there.

“But Kestrels have started the season well, they have a good squad so we expect a tough game and will give us a good indication of where we are.

“We want to start off well and if we can pick up a few away points before we get back to Murrayfield, it will be a bonus.”