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01/09/2006 - Way Myh Man, Canadian Falls For Toon's Charm

Brantt Mhyres

ONLY three days after arriving on Tyneside, new Vipers winger Brantt Myhres has already fallen in love with Newcastle.
“I’ve been here three days and I’ve never had an experience where the city’s great, everyone’s really nice and my team mates are really nice,” said the 6ft 4ins left winger, who joins David Longstaff and Shaun Johnson on the Vipers’ first line.
“I had never been to Europe before, so for me it’s really interesting, the history here is incredible.”
However, the 32-year-old former NHLer has found the Geordie twang tricky to follow.
“It’s funny, because of the accent. It’s so hard for me and I have to say ‘repeat it again and again’, but it’s really good, a lot of fun.”
The Alberta native started his career in the WHL, before progressing to the IHL and eventually to the NHL where he played for Tampa Bay Lightning, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks, Nashville Predators, Washington Capitals and eventually the Boston Bruins.
His last two seasons have been spent in the AHL, with Lowell Lock Monsters and Omaha Ak-Sar-Ban Knights.
Myhres may have only been announced as a Vipers player this week, but he said the close proximity to the start of the season had not been pre-season hype.
“I signed two weeks ago but, officially, once my visa was stamped, that’s when it became public that I signed. I had talked to Rob for about two weeks.
“I had never seen any British hockey, I went on the web this year and I saw some of the games and it looked really good.”
However, it was talking to Andre Payette, with whom Myhres has re-joined in the Vipers locker room, that started the ball rolling.
“I played with Paysie when I was 20, 22. Paysie called me, talked to me a little bit. Once he called, Rob Wilson called me and between the two of them talking to me it made my decision really easy because of their enthusiasm for the team and the city and I wouldn’t take it back for the world.”
So, what can the Vipers fans expect from Myhres when the puck drops on the new season?
“I just think an exciting, energetic type player that can be a spark when the team needs it, a leader as an older guy, bring my experience to the younger kids and just to win - and get more people to be interested in coming to the games.”

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