NOBODY in the ice hockey world can push Braehead Clan's Chris Frank around, as was proved by his 316 penalty minutes from last season alone.

The last player to try it on with the American was Tim Spencer, of Sheffield Steelers, in the play-off semi-final back in April. He ended up with a sore face for his trouble.

But after returning to Scotland for another season in purple, the formidable competitor from Washington state admits he may have finally met his match - in his five-month-old son Jax.

"In ice hockey I try to go out there and pretty much do what I want," confessed Frank, "but now that we've had a baby he pretty much runs my show."

The tot's arrival in March played its part in persuading the Clan star to hang around for a second season. The former Las Vegas Wrangler also got married in June. Now he and his new wife Gem have settled into life in Glasgow with Jax and believe it's the perfect base for their family.

"It has been an exciting summer," said Frank. "Gem and I had our little boy in the middle of the play-offs, so learning to be a first-time dad has been interesting.

"We spent quite a bit of time in Cardiff before heading to Seattle to be with my family and parade the baby around.

"Gem and I talked about this season a lot. One of the big things was the schedule, which allows us to spend a lot of time together as a family.

"The community here at Braehead and Glasgow is just immense. We get a lot of support.

"Everyone is great and the team takes care of us. That was a big factor for me coming back."

Many Clan fans thought they had seen the last of Frank following his dismissal against Sheffield for that clash with Spencer.

Yet the iconic image of him skating off the ice while proudly beating the Braehead badge on his chest was a reflection of his loyalty to the cause and not, as some had feared, a parting shot.

As he looked back on the emotional incident, Frank said: "It was a special weekend, not only because it was the first time Braehead had made it to the play-offs but it was the first time a Scottish team had qualified.

"In that incident the guy from Sheffield went in and I felt our Joel Champagne was getting taken advantage of when down on the ice.

"The referees were busy with others, so I jumped in to help out.

"After Spencer got sent off he was trying to show off to all the Sheffield fans by holding up the Steelers badge.

"We didn't have as many fans there but they gave us a great support. I wanted them to know we appreciated it and that the crest on our shirt means as much to us as it does to the Sheffield players."

With the start of the EIHL campaign beginning this weekend at home to Belfast Giants in the Challenge Cup, there could be plenty more chances for Frank to feature on the big stage soon with the Clan.

While reaching the play-off finals weekend in Nottingham was a first for Braehead, further progression is paramount at a club swelling with ambition and also expectation.

They are two traits which Frank shares.

"We've brought back some key members from last season. And our coach, Ryan Finnerty, has done a great job recruiting some big guys that can really produce," he said.

"Our main goal has to be to win silverware this season. If that doesn't happen it will be a major disappointment.

"The league title is No.1 on our list. We will be trying to win every game we play."