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2002/03(12) 2003/04(13) 2004/05(14) 2005/06(15) 2006/07(16) 2007/08(17) 2008/09(18) 2009/10(19) 2010/11(20) 2011/12(21) 2012/13(22)
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2017

APRIL

It was revealed after the play offs that Paul Thompson and assistant Jerry Andersson had extended their contracts.

Steelers head coach Paul Thompson and his assistant Jerry Andersson have signed new two-year contracts with the club owner, Tony Smith today confirmed.

“I believe both Paul and Jerry are the right men to have at the helm of our club” said owner Tony Smith “I’ve been delighted with their work on and off the ice. Changing either was never an option in my mind and the deal with both of them was concluded well before the finals weekend just gone.

Paul Thompson said “I’m looking forward to the next two years and continuing the work we have already started. “This is a big job but also a gratifying one. We have a great fan base and I am blessed with an incredible staff and share my motivation and work ethic making the Steelers the best club we can."

On Good Friday Steelers welcomed Mathieu Roy. The indestructible left winger - who probably takes more punishment than any other team player - says the hunger for trophies is “infectious.” His contract extension means the fans’ own ‘King of Sheffield ’ will have had five-year reign by 2019. The 30-year-old French Canadian said: “It’s fun to win here with this organisation and I’m happy to commit for another two seasons."

The best goaltender in the Elite League will be a Sheffield Steeler again next season. Latvian stopper Ervins Mustukovs – aka The Moose - has committed to a new one year contract with the club. The former Grenoble and Aalborg Pirates man led EIHL goaltending averages last season playing 51 of 52 league games with a saves percentage of 91.3%.

“He is a top goalie and he is a winner” said coach Paul Thompson.

Steelers added to their blueline by re-signing GB defencemen Davey Phillips and Ben O'Connor on a one year deal and two year deal respectively.

MAY:

It was announced that Colton Fretter would be returning for a fourth season with Sheffield. The burly winger commented: “After the season ended I thought about what direction I was going to go. It didn’t take me long to decide I wanted to keep on playing and keep on playing here at Sheffield “I’ve been treated so very well here by ownership, management, coaches, team mates and fans.

Toward the end of the month Guillaume Desbiens, who only last month signed a two year deal decided to call time on hockey and retire as a new long term opportunity outside of hockey presented itself. Sheffield coach Paul Thompson said the import’s U-turn had “come out of the blue.” He received an opportunity he can’t turn down, one that benefits him and his family. We are bitterly disappointed but fully respect his decision."

A day later and Steelers added a new defenceman in Mark Matheson. Head coach Paul Thompson said “He is a big body but also very mobile, something that is vital in today’s game. I know what I’m looking for from my defence and he brings it in abundance. He is a perfect fit into what we already have and hope to sign in the weeks ahead".

Talk about drip feeding info! So The Swedish revolution in Sheffield will continue next season after the club confirmed the signing on Jonas Westerling from Allsvenskan side Södertälje. Head coach Thompson described him “I think a little like Freddie Vestberg, he has had an outstanding career over in the Allsvenskan where he played 655 games scoring 99 goals and 374 points and now wants to try something new and different. He is very hungry for success which is always important to me when recruiting new players”.

To round off a packed week the signing of power forward Tim Wallace, from Alaska Aces was announced.

JUNE:

Sheffield Steelers will take their fans back in time in a special night at the Arena on August 26. The club will charge just £5 - 1993 prices - for a ‘Retro Night’ friendly against Manchester Storm. It will be the cheapest night at Steelers since the days of Alex Dampier, Clyde Tuyl, Ron Shudra and Steve Nemeth. “We wanted to do something a little bit different” said operations manager Shaun Smith. “We thought we would come up with a £5 ticket for our first game back at the arena this year, we will be wearing a special Retro Steelers shirt with all 22 of them raffled off to fans on the night. Our 50-50 draw will also have an additional £2,500 added to the final prize fund, someone could walk away with £6 or £7,000 on the night.

Mathieu Roy’s buddy Matt Marquardt will be a team-mate at Steelers next season. Once described as “a relentless and punishing hitter with the ability to change the momentum of the game with his checks” his arrival softens the blow of the loss of Guillaume Desbiens, who played a similar role. The coach said: “Matt will bring size, skill and intensity. We needed to be a little bigger and I wanted some net presence. With Desy leaving we had a hole that needed to be filled in that area. Matt has all the tools, I don’t think he had the best of years last season and perhaps feels he has something to prove. I like the hunger that he has expressed to me several times. Marquardt spent last season with the Coventry Blaze and prior to this played 268 AHL and 244 ECHL games in North America including the 2011-12 season with the Florida Everblades, where he won the Kelly Cup alongside Mathieu Roy.

Steelers are delighted to confirm the signing of 6’3 Finnish Defensemen Joonas Ronnberg from Storhamer in Norway on an initial one-year contract. The experienced blue-liner has played recently played in his home Country as well as Sweden in both the SHL and Allsvenskan, the German DEL and Norway. “Joonas ticks all the box’s for the kind of defensemen I am looking for” said head coach Paul Thompson “We needed to get bigger at the back and with Mark Matheson and Joonas joining us we have done just that."

Their penultimate forward was announced with the signing of Brady Ramsay from Indy Fuel in the ECHL. It will be Ramsey’s first spell overseas after completing 3 years professional hockey in the East Coast League with Ontario Reign, Tulsa Oilers and Indy Fuel. “I was looking for some energy” said head coach Paul Thompson “and Brady will bring that in bundles “We’ve done a lot of work on him as a player and his character. I believe he will be able to play up and down our line up at either centre or wing. He is comfortable in both positions. “Brady plays a hard nosed game, he is a competitor and I think its fair to say that we think he will be a fan favourite.”

Kieran Brown, who signed as an apprentice is the boy who turned his back on the American dream - to be a Sheffield Steeler.The 16-year-old forward had two seasons learning his craft in the junior system run by Iowa Wild, a US franchise in the AHL which is affiliated to NHL giants Minnesota Wild.“There was much less chance of progressing as quickly over there than here” said Bradford-born Brown, who will commute to Sheffield every day. “I wanted to come back and try to play in the Elite League, rather play against players of just my own age.

JULY:

Steelers completed their roster  with the signing of defenceman Scott Aarsen from Braehead Clan. Head coach Paul Thompson said “It was Important that we looked to get a puck moving defensemen but we also wanted a player that had a high compete level and will be defensively sound for us “We had four options but I felt that Scott was the most rounded and ticked the boxes for what we were looking for. “He has been the Clans top defensemen and top scoring defensemen for the last four years. His game has improved as the league improved.

Prior to the competitive action, the Steelers begin their pre-season training camp on August 7 with eight exhibition games scheduled, including two each against Sweden’s Sodertalije and German outfit Nurnberg Ice Tigers, the latter coached by former Steelers favourite, Rob Wilson. These games, followed by further warm-up dates with Manchester and Coventry Blaze, give Thompson the belief his team will be in prime condition come opening night at Manchester. “The four-week training camp with the eight warm-up games will be the longest and most intense the club has ever had,” said Thompson. “It will be a great opportunity for me to work with all of our players closely ahead of that opening Cup weekend.”

AUGUST

Ben O’Connor was a starry-eyed youngster when he first heard of the concept of ‘raising the banner’ at an ice hockey game.That’s because his dad was a successful player who won championships with Sheffield Steelers. Now Ben is looking forward to the same feeling of pride as he awaits Saturday’s ceremony at Sheffield Arena, celebrating last season’s Play Off final win. Ben’s dad Mike was a defenceman - in the same way Cole Shudra’s dad Ron was, in the Steelers side of yesteryear. Both will feel a family link when the flag is hoisted into the rafters. O’Connor Jr said: “The banners mark the club’s history and in Sheffield that’s a very successful history. You see those you watched as a kid and then those you helped win with your team mates. Sheffield Steelers have demanded an explanation over 'totally unacceptable' delays before and during yesterday's clash with Manchester Storm. Fans faced delays getting into Sheffield Arena, with reports of long queues at security, and the match was then held up as repairs were needed to the ice ahead of the third period.But Steelers owner Tony Smith apologised to fans and called for an explanation from those running the venue. "I'm sorry to all the fans who were delayed entering the building before the game, and for the further delays before the start of the third period," he said in a statement on the club's website. "Both delays were, in my opinion, fully avoidable and I will be seeking an early appointment with the Arena management. This is totally unacceptable."But several fans criticised the arrangements on the day, claiming there were too few security staff and not all bags were checked despite people queuing outside for up to 45 minutes.

SEPTEMBER

Sheffield Steelers’ fishing expedition to find an injury replacement has landed them a big catch - a forward straight out of the Finnish Elite League.The club says Juha Koivisto is joining them on an “initial” four week contract - so they will reassess whether they keep him after that time.This will be an interesting challenge for a player who has spent his entire career in Finland and the last four seasons with one club, Hämeenlinnan Pallokerho. Thompson said: “I think we are extremely lucky to find someone with over 300 Liiga games at such short notice."

OCTOBER

Sheffield Steelers unveiled another Scandinavian signing today as they seek to force themselves out of the doldrums. Mixed results and performances recently, and the decision of Finnish winger Juha Koivisto to leave, meant coach Paul Thompson had to find one or more new players quickly - and the first man signed is Swede Andreas Jamtin, 34.

The left wing joins fellow Swedes Andreas Valdix and Jonas Westerling and assistant coach Jerry Andersson. He has played 685 games in the top Swedish league and, two seasons ago, iced for Medvescak Zagreb in the KHL, a division rated second only to the NHL. Coach Paul Thompson relishes working with experienced players and says Jamtin will be different to many people’s perceptions of Swedish players.

Coach Paul Thompson said "Andreas will bring us energy, a spark. He likes to get involved, be physical and play a very un-Swedish game."

Steelers have confirmed the signing of former 2nd round NHL draft pick Andre Deveaux Deveaux will arrive in the UK on Friday with his paperwork complete making the 6’3 right winger available if selected for this weekend’s games against Cardiff Devils and Belfast Giants (both at the Fly DSA (Sheffield) Arena. Deveaux has played 31 NHL and 574 ALH games whilst also amassing 1,605 AHL Penalty minutes. Injury curtailed Deveaux in recent seasons though he returned to full health at the end of last year completing the season in Czech Elite league. Now fully recovered and fit Andre Deveaux is looking to make an impact with the Steelers for the remainder of this elite league campaign. Head Coach Paul Thompson said “We have signed a player who plays a tough rugged role but also has a scoring touch – he has a bite and an edge that I wanted to add to our roster “Andre brings bags of experience playing in the top leagues of worlds, the NHL, KHL and AHL “He hasn’t played a lot of hockey lately so we have to get him back in the swing of things. He will be a powerful addition to our line and someone that will help make us better”

Joonas Ronnberg will leave the Sheffield Steelers after the weekends three games. Joonas advised the club of his decision a few weeks ago following discussions with his family back in Finland. “We are disappointed to see Joonas leave us” said head coach Paul Thompson “he is leaving us for personal reasons in order that he can be with his family and we respect that. “Both the player and the club tried to find away around these issues but in the end Joonas decided he is to return home. I thank him and wish him and his family well “We have enjoyed having him here and I think he has been excellent for us. I’m also hopeful he won’t have played his last game for the club as we wish to include him in our squad for the Continental Cup games in Denmark”

Colton Fretter will miss six games for Sheffield Steelers after his punishment for attacking a Belfast Giants player Spiro Goulakas was upgraded.The EIHL had asked for an independent review of the incidents that occurred in a game between the teams last Sunday October 22. After it was completed today, Fretter was hit by the extended suspension and Simon Kirkham, Elite League Head of Referees, was ditched as Head of the Department of Player Safety.Their ruling stated: "Fretter – Suspension is now 6 games instead of 1 game. Goulakos – Suspension is now 2 games instead of 3 games. Penalty for 5+ Game for Checking from behind is removed from his record."

The Steelers search for a new defenseman is over after head coach Paul Thompson confirmed the signing of 24 year old Finnish blue-liner Miika Franssila from Mestis side, Espoo United. Franssila was a first line all-star in the Mestis last season with Hermes where he led the Finnish 2nd division in scoring for defensemen with 4 goals and 37 assists. Thompson said “The search is over and it’s been a long wait but we are delighted to bring Miika into the line up. “Miika will bring a different style than Joonas Ronnberg. He is a skilled puck moving defensemen who will help our transition. “He has a good all-around game and at 24 will be able to log good minutes for us “I’m confident that Miika will be in for Friday’s game against Braehead and the home game on Sunday with Belfast “It’s been a long and sometimes frustrating wait since Joonas confirmed he would be leaving. We have worked around the clock since them trying to find the right replacement. “With Zack Fitzgerald still injured it was imperative that we bought a permanent Ronnberg replacement in. I’m confident that Miika will be an excellent fit for us”. At the same time the news was released that Sheffield Steelers have confirmed that Brady Ramsay will be leaving the club with immediate effect.

DECEMBER

Andre Deveaux's seemingly negative affect on Sheffield Steelers continues after his exit. Coach Paul Thompson ended the forward's stay this week after just 11 games. But his behaviour during his penultimate game caught up with him - and the club today. In Saturday's 7-2 defeat at Milton Keynes Lightning, the ex NHLer, amongst other things, took a run at an opponent and caught him high. Today the EIHL banned him for six games - even though he'd left the club.

Sheffield Steelers goaltender Ervins Mustukovs ended 2017 on an incredible high. His four straight shut-outs for the club smashed all records and earned him a place in Steeler folklore. Today, that was recognised across the British sport of ice hockey when he was named Elite League Player of the Week for the period ending December 31, 2017. Mustukovs made 30-saves during a 4-0 victory for the Steelers against rivals Nottingham at Sheffield Arena on Boxing Day, following that performance up with another shutout 24-hours later in Nottingham as the Steelers recorded a 5-0 win at the Arena, Mustukovs making 15-saves. The Latvian puck stopper's remarkable streak continued on Saturday 30th December, making 28-saves to shutout the Manchester Storm in a 3-0 win for the Steelers on home ice, capping off a perfect end to 2017 for the South Yorkshire side. The victory also represented Mustukovs' fourth straight shutout, having previously blanked the Braehead Clan on December 23rd, with the 33-year-old’s unbeaten streak now standing at 301 minutes and 28 seconds - a new EIHL record after passing former Sheffield goaltender Rob Dopson’s previous record of 234 minutes and 17 seconds. Spread across six games, Mustukovs streak started against Fife on December 17th (21 minutes and 28 seconds, 5 shots) and extended through the Steelers Challenge Cup victory over Dundee on December 19th (40 minutes, 13 shots), the 3-0 win over Braehead (60 minutes, 23 shots) and into last week’s games.

Sheffield Steelers have moved fast to replace injured centreman John Armstrong. American Eric Neiley was confirmed as the new boy today. The 25-year-old right shot leaves Adirondack Thunder in the ECHL to join the South Yorkshire club. He steps in to the berth left by Armstrong who has a badly injured hand and will be out for weeks. Coach Paul Thompson said he was "overjoyed" to pick up the kind of player he had been looking for - gritty around the net. “Eric is a player who scored 27 goals last year, he isn’t coming here to make the numbers up. He adds some youth and grit. He scores his goals in the dirty areas. He knows the places to go and I felt we needed a little more of that. “We fought off competition from around our own league and Europe to secure this signing, we are excited he is on board with us” said coach Paul Thompson.

2018

JANUARY

In the end, Sheffield Steelers could not replicate Nottingham Panthers’ feat of winning the Continental Cup. Twelve months ago, almost to the day, Panthers beat Ritten of Italy 4-1 to claim first place on the European podium. Steelers shut out Ritten 2-0 on Sunday, but it was too little too late as the damage was done in Friday’s unexpected 5-1 defeat to Kazakh side Nomad Astana, where Robert Dowd and Miika Franssila picked up injuries, on top of existing problems to John Armstrong and Liam Kirk. It was a double-blow Steelers battled to overcome but ultimately could not. Without that duo, Sheffield performed bravely and at times brilliantly on Saturday, against hosts Yunost in Minsk, Belarus, coming from behind three times before the final nail was hammered into Steelers’ coffin with two minutes left. Their high-octane performance - and Sunday’s comfortable bronze medal win over Ritten with goals from Andreas Jamtin and Jonas Westerling, hints a good things ahead, domestically. Steelers did not want to close the tournament on a third straight loss against a team their biggest domestic rivals had beaten to become the first British side to claim a major European trophy.

The 21st of this month was a historic day for Cole Shudra. In Edinburgh he became, at age nineteen years and 162 days, the youngest player to score a hat trick for Sheffield Steelers and the youngest player to score a hat trick in the EIHL.

FEBRUARY:

The Sheffield Arena and Sheffield Steelers have entered into a new partnership taking them into 2023 - which should produce better facilities, including ice quality. The deal replaces previous short contracts and the parties says such a long term commitment will allow both "to build and grow the partnership." The agreement includes improved dialogue and priority on fixtures and ice availability at both the Arena and iceSheffield; a commitment to improve the quality of the ice and address the issue of the aging ice plant within this new partnership term, a joining of forces commercially in terms of hospitality and suites, the creation of a new merchandise store and Steelers fan specific food and drink initiatives; working together to market and promote the team. Steelers' owner Tony Smith says the deal will see an investment in a new ice plant and merchandise store at Sheffield FlyDSA Arena, the development of more community initiatives such as 'Skate with the Steelers' at iceSheffield and looking to bring major international hockey events to the city by building on the work started on the recent Continental Cup bid."

Sheffield Steelers captain Jonathan Phillips says last year’s play-off final is a highlight of his Elite League career as he prepares to reach 900 appearances in all competitions. The 35-year-old will be the first ever player to hit that particular milestone in Elite League history on Saturday when his Steelers team take on Belfast Giants.

Although Phillips made his bow in the 1999-2000 season with the Devils in the Super League days, he’s been a mainstay for both the Devils and the Steelers in the EIHL’s 15-year existence. He spoke of the differences he’s experienced in the early days compared to now and is already contemplating reaching 1,000 appearances. He added: “There’s definitely been a change in the Elite League from when I started out, certainly in the last two or three years in particular. “More teams are playing four lines now and the standard of imports are better, as is the standard of the British guys.

MARCH:

After completing the regular season, finishing in third place, they defeated the Guilford Flames over two legs to progress to the play off finals in Nottingham.

After coming fro two goals behind twice they defeated Nottingham (5-4) but were beaten by a strong Cardiff Devils side in the final.