2022 - 2023 season
MAY
Fox Confirms Dowd’s Continuation as a Steeler. Forward Robert Dowd signed a multi year contract with the Steelers ahead of the 2021-22 season, something head coach Aaron Fox agrees was good business. Fox confirmed “We extended Dowdy before the 21/22 season to a 3 year contract so he will still have 2 years remaining on that deal. “We have seen how important his game is to us as a team. Dowdy gives you a high end top 6 guy that can play all 3 F positions. Big John Armstrong has announced that he is hanging up the skates after an unbelievable career that has seen him ply his trade across North America and Europe.Steelers Head Coach Aaron Fox commented “John is a guy who played the game the right way. A very responsible two way player who I counted on in key situations.
The Sheffield Steelers wouldn’t be the Sheffield Steelers without Davey Phillips patrolling our blue line, so the club are delighted to confirm that the GB International, presently in Finland with the National team has agreed a further season in Orange. 23 Forward Jonathan Phillips is set to become the most-capped player in Great Britain history this evening as GB face Austria in the World Championship in Finland. Phillips will move onto 111 caps – one ahead of Ashley Tait – when the two sides meet the Nokia Arena in Tampere at 20:20 (18:20 UK).The 39-year-old made his World Championship debut in 2003 and this is his 22nd tournament as a GB player. He’s been captain since 2012. 30 After playing 107 games for The Steelers, scoring 63 goals and 133 points Marco Vallerand has confirmed to head coach Aaron Fox that he has decided to move on from the club to mainland Europe for season 2022-23.
JUNE
Steelers head coach Aaron Fox has confirmed the re-signing of forward Martin Latal. Fox confirmed the signing saying “I’m Extremely happy we are able to get Lats back for another year. “He’s a player with next level speed that can change a game in a hurry. Martin impacts the game on both ends of the ice and plays in all our key situations. The Sheffield Steelers are delighted to confirm that Brandon Whistle has signed a new two-year contract with the club. 10 The Sheffield Steelers are delighted to confirm that Captain Jonathan Phillips has signed a new 1-year contract with the club. Aaron Fox has confirmed the re-signing of Evan Mosey for a second year as a Steeler. Mosey played 64 games in Orange last year as both a forward and a defenseman scoring 20 goals and 54 points. Kevin Schulze will be back for his third spell with the Sheffield Steelers after signing a new one year contract extension with the club.
JU;Y
The Steelers are delighted to confirm that 27 year old Czech centre Adam Raska has joined the club for the 2022-23 EIHL season. 08 Scott Allen, a 32 year old from Edmonton, Alberta is the latest member of the Steelers 2022-23 squad after head coach confirmed his signing today. 13 Steelers head coach Aaron Fox has confirmed the signing of 29 year old Niklas Nevalainen from Nakkila, Finland.Nevalainen played four straight seasons in Liiga before heading to Norway last year to play for Frisk Asker.
AUGUST
New signing Mason Mitchell has been hurt training in Canada and is unlikely to be match-ready until late October or early November. He has been placed on the Injury Reserve List and his place will go to yet another newcomer Tomáš Pitule.
OCTOBER
Robert Dowd broke his nine-game scoring drought to give Steelers the edge in a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Panthers in Saturday's Challenge Cup group game. Sheffield Steelers have stood by their coach after stormy scenes during the 3-2 win at Coventry Blaze on Sunday. Several items were apparently hurled at the team boss as he directed operations from the bench. And Sheffield say a "barrage of abuse" came his way for much of the evening. Steelers surprised the British ice hockey top flight today by bringing in forward Danny Kristo, a friend of Sheffield forward Daniel Ciampini. The club initially suggested they would not be replacing injured Evan Mosey, who is out for more than a month. Kristo arrived in Sheffield last night and will play this evening against Guildford Flames should the club get the paperwork completed in time.
Steelers surprised the British ice hockey top flight today by bringing in forward Danny Kristo, a friend of Sheffield forward Daniel Ciampini. The club initially suggested they would not be replacing injured Evan Mosey, who is out for more than a month. Kristo arrived in Sheffield last night and will play this evening against Guildford Flames should the club get the paperwork completed in time.
NOVEMBER
In last weekend's programme notes, owner Tony Smith acknowledged supporters' concern over temperatures at the Arena. "Some may say it's fine (it's an ice rink) but a number are telling me it's cold" he wrote. Generally, it's accepted that a rink's ambient air temperature should aim for between 50-60°F (10-15°C) while the ice temperature should be around 24°F (-4,4 °C.)A spokesman said: "We will find the right balance. We don't want our fans sitting in a fridge but on the other hand, it can't be like a beach in Benidorm."
Tomas Pitule will remain with the Steelers for at least the remainder of the 2022-23 season after signing an extension to his injury cover contract last week. Pitule arrived at the beginning of the season as injury cover for Mason Mitchel but has impressed Aaron Fox and his team mates with his play to date
Oskar Östlund's lengthy absence explained as Sheffield Steelers stars left off 'top players' list , Oskar Östlund's 12-week absence from the Sheffield Steelers' roster was explained today. The Swedish goaltender, who was hurt before a friendly game against Coventry Blaze on September 3, has re-injured the same problem area during practice.It put paid to coach Aaron Fox's expectations that by now he would have been able to challenge Matt Greenfield for the starting netminder role. The goalie's injury issue had lasted longer than envisaged, he said.
DECEMBER
Jonathan Phillips has revealed how the evolution of ice hockey into a faster-skating sport has suited his personal style - and may have helped him stay at the top of his game. The Steelers' captain clocked up 1,000 performances in a Sheffield short last weekend. It is a mind-blowing achievement, but one he takes in his stride...Phillips only ever seems to focus on the game ahead. The winger is one of several super-fast skaters in the current Steelers' side - Martin Latal, Brett Neumann and Evan Mosey are all speed kings.
Over 8,000 people witnessed the presentation of a Steelers 1000 framed shirt to captain Jonathan Phillips ahead of Wednesday’s game against Dundee Stars. Club owner Tony Smith made the presentation to the club captain, his first appearance back in Sheffield since his incredible milestone was achieved in Glasgow almost two weeks ago.
What a reception Jeff Legue and his family received upon his return to the Arena on Boxing Day. Just before face-off 9,368 fans cheered as Legue was introduced onto the ice “I had tingles running through me” said Legue afterwards “looking at the guys warming up brought back so many incredible memories, then walking out and hearing this crowd cheer was something I will remember for ever “It was great for the kids to come on the ice and see where Dad used to play, it was an incredible night and I can’t thank everyone, the club, players and especially all the fans for the welcome home”
JANUARY 2023
Steelers sell-out attendance on Saturday evening against Guildford Flames, 9,368 helped the club break a 27-year-old attendance record. Over the last four home games 35,248 fans have enjoyed supporting the club at the Utilita Arena. Only 3 other times in our history have we had over 35,000 across 4 consecutive home games. Mar/Apr 1992 36,434, Feb/Mar 1994 35,885, Feb/Mar 1996 35,858, Club owner Tony Smith said “We can’t thank our fans enough for their loyal support, it was a shame a great night’s entertainment and fantastic game of hockey didn’t end in a Steelers victory, but we are still in a title race
Steelers' owner Tony Smith was holding talks with his coaching staff today The club proprietor was particularly upset with the way his players performed in the 3-5 loss at Belfast Giants on Friday. And he is calling on them to "step up" and "stop taking nights off. "Smith admitted: "I didn't see us going down to Belfast in the way we did, I thought we'd get something more than a point out of that weekend.
FEBRUARY
Steelers have confirmed the signing of 32 year old defenceman Carl Ackered. Ackered previously played 3 seasons with the Guildford Flames between 2017 and 2020 where he scored 54 goals and 140 points in 167 league and play off games.After leaving the Flames, Ackered joined HC Dukla Trencin in Slovakia where he scored over a point a game (52 in 50) before moving to Graz99ers last season in the ICEHL This season Ackered moved back to Slovakia with Slovan Bratislava before the transfer today to the Steelers
Steelers club captain, Jonathan Phillips, has confirmed his intention to retire at the end of the season. Phillips who is the all time Steelers most decorated player and captain has played 1,023 games for the club scoring 177 goals and 486 points. As club Captain Phillips has lifted more trophies than any other. Four Times Phillips has lifted the league title, 3 times the play off championships and in 2020 he completed the trio of prizes when lifting his first Challenge Cup. Top career moments
APRIL
The season ended tamely as, although they reached the play off finals Sheffield Steelers could not overcome the Cardiff Devils in the Semi Final. Thus Jonathan Phillips' final Steelers game was the 3rd place play off game in which they overcame the Nottingham Panthers 7-4.