2021 - 2022 season
Steelers made there first announcement of the close season by bringing back defenceman Adrian Saxrud Danielsen.
HAVING tasted the thrill of winning silverware once already with Sheffield Steelers, Tanner Eberle returns for the 2021-22 Elite League season with a thirst for even more success. After agreeing to continue his time in South Yorkshire from this September, Eberle is confident the Steelers can avoid last seasons disappointments. “I think this year the sky is the limit for us,” said Eberle. “In this league, it is very important to bring back a good group of core guys that have played together for a number of years. “And I think it has taken us the last two or three years to find that but now we have a good group of core guys, we all know each other, we all know how Foxy wants us to play. “And if you look at what Cardiff did in the past years, they had the same guys for 2-3 years in a row and they were a great team for those years and I feel like that is kind of where we’re at.” For Steelers’ boss Fox, getting Eberle to return was one of his top summer priorities, although, to be fair, neither side needed much persuasion. Eberle’s signing comes just a few hours after fellow forward Anthony DeLuca was confirmed as returning to the team. The pair proved among the most popular players with fans during the 2019-20 campaign, with Fox clearly delighted to have both back on his bench.
This comes after the announcements of the return of Connolly and Johnathan Phillips as well as the first new signing in the acquisition of forward Justin Hodgman.
AUGUST
Tony Smith confirmed the roster sizes for the EIHL as 14 imports and 5 Brits
“We have looked at various ways to cut costs this season while maintaining and improving standards,” he said. It’s a common sense thing – we don’t know if (the aftermath of ) Covid is going to bring less crowds, less sponsorship, although all the signals so far are that things are looking good. I think we are going to be okay but we are being a little bit cautious with how many players we have on the roster. But why fewer Brits overall on EIHL rosters, when younger ones are further down the pay scale? Yes, some of the Brits earn little, but only until they get to the point where they are starting to make a name for themselves. One or two are coming through like Josh Waller and Sam Jones. Young Brits are always on the radar and once we think they are going to make the grade we are very quick to snap them up. So why not 12 imports and seven Brits on EIHL line-ups, for example? You bring me the crowds and I will bring you the Brits! But right now they don’t fill Arenas and I’d be the first to say I hope it changes, I hope the standard improves.”
Steelers completed their roster on the 25th with the signing of defenceman Daine Todd. “With the signing of Daine our roster is finally complete” said Fox “Our summer work is now over and the real work is about to begin.” Todd boasts an impressive resume, after completing his education at the University of New Brunswick he turned professional in 2013 playing 56 games in the American Hockey League, 54 of them with the Portland Pirates. Europe beckoned early in Todd’s career with a move to Finland and 80 games over two seasons in the KHL with Jokerit. In 2016, Todd moved to Swedish SHL side Lulea HF, and a year later he moved to fellow SHL outfit Orebro where he also made 3 appearances in the CHL. For the past two hockey seasons Todd moved to Germany and the DEL playing 66 games in Iserlohn where he scored 5 goals and 22 points.
OCTOBER
Sheffield Steelers, as usual, commemorated the passing of much loved family members throughout the close season but Sheffield Steelers' coach Aaron Fox admitted the emotional farewell at Sheffield Arena, to defenceman Marek Trončinský as well as club supporters who didn't make it through the pandemic lockdown, was too hard for him to bear. The video tribute to the Czech player and fans from the stands was a significant moment in the history of the club. And Nottingham Panthers' fans warm-heartedly joined in the applause before Sunday night's challenge cup game. Fox said the moment demonstrated what a special place the Arena can be. "I had to look away from the screen when the 'Tron' stuff was going on there. That was a tough one for me," said the 45-year-old American. "Eighteen months go by and you see something like that up on the screen, all the lives lost...it's awful." Centreman John Armstrong agreed with his coach's sentiments.
Sheffield opened their regular League season campaign with an exhilarating 5-4 overtime victory over Cardiff Devils. Evan Mosey scored the late overtime winner to seal the win after Steelers had been down by two goals until Martin Latal sparked the comeback with six minutes to go.
Steelers had swept to an impressive 8-3 win at Manchester Storm in the Challenge Cup opener on the previous night, Anthony DeLuca, Marco Vallerand and Robert Dowd all enjoying a three-point personal haul, with Evan Mosey (2) Tanner Eberle (2) and Brendan Connolly also scoring. Steelers banged home three goals in the last five minutes.
Travis Oleksuk says the main reason he quit Steelers was his desire to play in Austria again, after he decided to leave. That left Fox scrambling around to find a replacement, eventually landing Matias Sointu, who played last weekend. Oleksuk told The Star: "I think the main factor in leaving was just the opportunity to play in Austria again. On leaving Oleksuk said "I never went looking for another deal, never had my agent go looking for a new team, it just so happened that Villach reached out to me out of the blue and after talking with my family, decided that we would like to pursue the offer." Oleksuk says he believes he left the EIHL club on good terms. "As for returning, I would never close the door on that if the opportunity came up again."
NOVEMBER
Steelers embarked to Denmark for the third round of the Continental Cup but this was overshadowed in the beginning by a somewhat crass attempt at what seemed like money making by Steelers: in essence they took the free Danish sTV stream and decided to ask fans to pay for it.
But after a severe fan backlash Tony Smith issued this statement: The club has agreed two options for fans and they are as follows. Option 1 – The stream for the 3 games will be provided FREE of charge with commentary from Jonathan Fearnley and Ron Shudra. Option 2 – The stream will cost £30 for the 3 games with commentary from Jonathan Fearnley and Ron Shudra. All profits from the stream after paying commentators and Visionmix will go to the Sheffield Childrens hospital Christmas appeal. Club owner Tony Smith commented “I want to make it clear when the deal was done to take the stream and the price agreed with Aalborg Pirates this was a straight forward business agreement allowing our fans the opportunity to watch the Steelers play in Europe. “It was only later yesterday we were made aware there would be a free stream, at no point in the clubs negotiations with Aalborg was a free to air stream mentioned. “Any fans who have already bought the stream have the option of a full refund should they wish to take advantage of the free offer. An e-mail will be sent to those who have already bought the web cast advising how they can activate the refund if required. “On behalf of the Steelers I would like to personally apologise to our fans for what has been a difficult 24 hours but I must stress this was a situation not of our making but one I hope now is brought to a satisfactory conclusion for all involved.”
Unfortuately, after winning the first two games Steelers bowed out of the competition on goal difference.
They went into the tournament 3 forwards down and lost Brendan Connolly midway through the first game, this string of injuries led to Connolly being put on the long term injury reserve list.
Then to cap things off the following happened: At 5.30pm on Friday evening the Sheffield Steelers were advised by Anthony DeLuca that he had failed an anti-doping test. Anthony has tested positive for a banned substance and is currently suspended with immediate effect. No further comment will be made by the club. In October, the Canadian was suspended for two games after a rash moment when he kicked a Guildford Flames goalie. That pales into insignificance, now though.
DECEMBER
On Boxing day up against Nottingham the Steelers put themselves into a great position by taking a 3-0 first period lead in front of a 9,200 sellout crowd at the Utilita Arena, but they had to survive some late pressure from their fiercest rivals before emerging with both points to keep them six points clear of nearest rivals Cardiff Devils.
After the game, the Steelers issued a statement in which they revealed three of their players have entered EIHL Covid protocol. Swedish centre Andreas Valdix, goaltender Barry Brust and winger Matias Sointu were the three named players. The statement read: “The club were advised earlier tonight that Andreas Valdix, who had been away from the team for a few days, had tested positive with both a lateral flow and PCR test. “Barry Brust and Matias Sointu have both felt unwell and were advised not to attend the Arena for the last two days. Both players have since tested at home and have returned positive lateral flow tests. They will now have a PCR test tomorrow.”
Aaron Fox and his players will wake up this morning safe in the knowledge they head into the new year as clear leaders. A pair of cool, calm and collected performances against Nottingham Panthers over two days yielded four points, meaning the Steelers have lost just once in their last eight regular season games, that being an overtime defeat at the home of nearest rivals Cardiff Devils. Yesterday’s win over rivals Panthers came despite three imports missing in the shape of goaltender Barry Brust, Andreas Valdix and Matias Sointu, who have all been placed in the EIHL’s Covid protocols. The second meeting between the two sides in as many days was a closer affair than the Boxing Day encounter, at least until the Steelers struck twice in 29 second period seconds to knock the hosts out of their stride. And while Nottingham again showed plenty of character in coming back, much like they did the previous day in South Yorkshire before going down 5-3, the Steelers showed impressive resolve to close the game out on both occasions.
However, this was to be the last game for a while as 8 further players tested positive and the club as a whole was placed in EIHL Covid protocol.
JANUARY
Brandon Whistle did not pull up many trees when he first played for Sheffield Steelers.At 21, he wasn't in great shape and mentally seemed ill-prepared for the quality of hockey needed. In short, Brandon Whistle had to grow up.And that, he most certainly did.He lost a shed-load of weight and, the following season, did so well for NIHL side Telford Tigers that it started to put his name back on the EIHL radar.For Sheffield fans expecting to see the Whistle they remembered, he came back as quite a surprise Package.
FEBRUARY
Steelers have re-opened their doors to Maltby's Liam Kirk, the NHL hopeful injured while playing in America, earlier this season.Kirk tore his anterior cruciate ligament skating for American Hockey League outfit Tucson Roadrunners and is now rehabilitating.Coach Aaron Fox said: "He is coming in, in the morning, before the guys get in, and using the facilities here (Sheffield Arena ) and going through some stuff. "He is a Steeler so when he reached out to ask if he could come in and use the facilities it was absolutely a no-brainer."
Sheffield’s ice hockey crowds are booming, say officials – and bosses at Sheffield Arena are delighted. The club has seen a run of 22,891 fans through the doors in just three games and hope to make it four straight home matches with over 7,000 fans when they take on Cardiff in the Challenge Cup Semi-Finals. They have gone over the 7,000 mark eight times already this season.
For the first time in an otherwise sparkling season, the champagne form has gone flat at Sheffield Steelers. Question marks about performance levels, injuries, and silverware potential have suddenly popped up. This may all sound overly dramatic, given the fact Sheffield are two points clear at the top of the EIHL table with a game in hand over Belfast Giants. But there are underlying facts here that cannot be dismissed. After a sensational streak of one loss in 17 games, Fox's men have lost three of their last four outings.
MARCH
Both the Sheffield Steelers and the Sheffield City Trust are pleased to announce they have agreed to extend the current partnership for a further seven years. This long-term relationship is a continuation of a long-term commitment between the Steelers and the Arena, which has allowed both parties to build and grow a strong and prosperous partnership. The partnership will enable both parties to continue making investment to improve business in the long term and ultimately improve the match day experience both on and off the ice. In practical terms, this partnership will continue to improve dialogue regarding ice availability at Utilita Arena Sheffield, a commitment to a healthy commercial return from hospitality and suites and working together to develop new merchandise and specific food and drink initiatives. Both parties are delighted to be extending the partnership and proud the most successful ice hockey team in Britain will continue making the House of Steel their home for many years to come.
Dom Stokes of the Arena said "This will be honoured until 2030. Who wouldn't want the Steelers' organisation in this building?" he asked, during a press conference. He said he had no idea who would run the operation, going forward, though. The deal gave "certainty" to the fans and general public and shows "we are going to be investing off and on the ice."
Tony Smith commented: “I’m delighted to be confirming this agreement with Sheffield City Trust, a seven-year contract extension means 8 seasons of stability for the Sheffield Steelers. “When my family took over the ownership of this great club, stability was the most important thing we had to achieve, how else can a business and a club grow? Over the years, working alongside Sheffield Council, SIV and now the City Trust, we have been able, year on year, to work closer together for all out benefits. “This agreement cements months of negotiations of positivity on both sides, the Steelers are an important brand within the City of Sheffield, as well as an important core tenant of the Arena. Without the Arena, the Steelers cannot operate let alone continue to promote and grow their business and audience to the people of South Yorkshire. “The stability this agreement gives the club will allow us to continue the excellent work and commitment we have shown over the last decade. A commitment to invest in our product both on and off the ice ensuring that a night with the Steelers continues to be the best night out in Sheffield. “That we give our fan base a safe home environment where everyone is welcome to enjoy both the sporting combat and entertainment excitement of the sport of ice hockey and the Steelers brand. “We thank all involved in these negotiations and look forward to this close partnership continuing and growing in the years ahead”
After a bright start and looking good for the majority of the season the Steelers' season ultimately fizzled out when they lost over two legs to the Dundee Stars in the play off quarter finals.