VIPERS star Akexsandr Shev-chenko today revealed he was out to make a name for himself by scoring goals in a different sport and for a different team ahead of the new Elite League season. The Kiev-born ace debuted for Vipers over the weekend in the unbeaten exhibition double header against Coventry Blaze, and is ready to take on both Hull Stingrays and Nottingham Panthers in his bow for Newcastle this weekend as part of the Elite League’s big face-off. The 23-year-old Eastern European winger has an eye for goal and is bidding to cause defensive units throughout the UK plenty of problems this season. However, he was quick to distance himself from the other famous Shevchenko – soccer star Andriy, who plies his trade at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea. His head coach and football fan Rob Wilson knows all about the impact of the Ukrainian striker in the Premier League, but is now hoping for a similar impact from his own Eastern European import in the former Sokol Kiev star. And in his first interview since arriving on Tyneside from Kiev, Shevchenko told the Chronicle: “The Shevchenko from back home is no relation to me but a highly respected figure. “I want to make a name for myself as a Newcastle Vipers player and hopefully my performances can do that. “I can only try to score a lot of goals. “I do like football and my favourite team is Barcelona, but I am focused on ice hockey. “And that means getting success with the Vipers.” Shevchenko showed some clever touches against Blaze at the weekend and with fellow countrymen Pasha Gomenyuk and Sergiy Rubivsky in Toon to help him settle in, he is already impressed with the Newcastle set-up. He added: “I think that the set-up at Newcastle is very professional and the players so far have been great. “It is a brilliant city to play in and I am looking forward to the challenge. “I played in the Belarus League before this and it was fast hockey but I am expecting it to be different here. “I will do my best for the Vipers and hopefully demonstrate some technical skills for the fans. “It is exciting for me right now and I am looking forward to blending in with the team.” And coach Wilson is also confident he’ll be a success. He said: “He has played at a very high standard before this and I know he plays with speed and skill – which is what we want. “I am confident that Shevchenko will be a big hit in the Elite League.”
VIPERS travel to Hull Stingrays on Saturday night (5.30pm) before taking on Nottingham at the Arena on Sunday (5.30pm) to open their Elite League campaign.
| 
