Discussions are at an advanced stage and it is understood that there are just a few minor details to be sorted out before the deal is agreed.

And after spending all but the last few weeks of the season behind the bench, Courtenay is to return to Belfast as a player-coach, even though he will turn 40 during the season.

"We are close to an agreement," said Courtenay.

"It looks like I will be coming back as a player-coach, I just want to know whether it is a straight coach or a player-coach that they want and I am happy with whatever they want.

"I am pretty confident that I am the right guy for the job as a player-coach.

"I don't think they will find another player-coach who can do as good a job as me on the ice.

"After ten months out I lost a little speed, but that was because I hadn't played. After a while I started scoring points, but that had a lot to do with the team as well."

The coach himself wants things to be completed as soon as possible so that he can go about putting what he hopes will be a successful team on the ice in what will be an attempt to regain the Elite League title.

"I want to get on to the guys who I want to bring back first of all," said Courtenay.

"There are quality guys out there who I want to talk to before they sign up elsewhere for me to want to wait."