2023-2024
APRIL
Steelers are delighted to confirm the return of starting netminder, Matt Greenfield after head coach Aaron Fox secured the 28 year old American to a new one year deal in Sheffield. Greenfield had a majestic first season with the Steelers after signing late in the summer of 2022 from the Kansas City Mavericks of the ECHL. He not only scooped up all of the clubs internal awards (Player of the year, players player of the year and coaches player of the year), he was also voted the leagues netminder of the year, as voted for by all ten Elite League coaches.
MAY
Following the decision of the Guildford Flames to withdraw from their position in the forthcoming seasons Continental Cup the Steelers have been afforded the opportunity to enter the competition. Unfortunately the club have decided against entry to this years cup competition after taking into account ice time availability and the schedule ahead in this seasons EIHL competitions. A club spokesman said “With the addition games to be played in a shorter period of time to fit in to the schedule, it would just not have been sensible for the club and our playing staff”
The Steelers wish to go on record thanking Davey Phillips for his outstanding service to the club over the last 7 seasons Davey has recently re-signed for the Belfast Giants who he has previously played for in 2008-09 and then between 2012-15 In total Davey played 395 games for the Steelers, our 9th most capped player, scoring 12 goals 78 assists for 90 points 26 After playing 81 games over four seasons whilst on a two way contract, Alex Graham has today signed a new deal with the Steelers promoting him to a full time position on the team.Alex has already scored 8 goals and 17 points with the team whilst on his two-way deal including an important strike against Aalborg in the Continental Cup This is my club, as a fan, a junior and then breaking into the team, I want to play here and I want to win here.
JUNE
The first of several new faces in the Steelers line up has today been confirmed by head coach Aaron Fox.30 Year old defenseman Kevin Tansey joins from Danish side Herning Blue Fox. “Kevin is a big 2 way Dman that likes to play a physical game defensively” said Fox. “He skates extremely well for his size and is a guy who can activate very well from the back end in transition. 11 In addition to those players already signed and announced, head coach Aaron Fox today confirmed that Robert Dowd, Sam Jones and Brandon Whistle would be playing in Orange next season as they were previously under contract with the club.
The Steelers trio Join Matt Greenfield, Alex Graham, Brett Neumann and Kevin Tansey as part of the clubs 2023-24 EIHL squad
Steelers are delighted to welcome home Marco Vallerand for a 4th season with the club.
Vallerand has already played 127 games for the Steelers scoring 68 goals and a further 78 assists and was instrumental in the clubs last trophy win the Challenge Cup Announcing the news head coach Aaron Fox said “I’m really excited to have Valley back for a full season. I expect him to come in to camp healthy, in good shape and with a bit of a chip on his shoulder . The Steelers got a lot bigger today as 6’5 centre Mark Simpson was confirmed as a member of next years side by head coach Aaron Fox Simpson played last season is Asiago (Italy) and before that two seasons in the AHL with Stockton Heat Mark prides himself on his two way play and plays every shift the right way. He skates extremely well for his size which I think will cause real problems in this league . Head coach Aaron Fox said “I’m Really excited to get Champ back to build off last years season. “We felt he was one of those important core pieces that was very important for us to get back. He ended up finishing the year with 65 points in 66 games, 24 of which were goals and was tied for team lead in regular season points.
The Steelers are devastated to advise that Alex Graham sadly passed away this weekend. Everyone at the club is heartbroken by the news and wish to pass on our thoughts and condolences to Alex’s family, friends and teammates. Graham, 20, had only recently signed his first professional contract with the Steelers after making 81 appearances since his debut in 2019 and was regarded as an outstanding talent about to make his mark on the professional game.
jULY
Cole Shudra is returning to the Sheffield Steelers after signing a full time contract with the club earlier this week.The move comes about following the tragic circumstances surrounding the passing of Alex Graham two weeks ago, it’s something Cole is more than aware of “I fully understand the pathway of my return” said Cole “It’s something both Alex and I used to talk about non stop when we were driving in the car to and from the rink, that story though was of us both playing for the Steelers together and being a big part of the clubs future
6’2 Defensemen Brien Diffley has been added to the Steelers roster for the 20-23-24 EIHL season.
Announcing the deal head coach Aaron Fox said “Brien is a 6’2 two way defenseman that will make a huge impact in our group. “He plays a very solid game in his own end and he has got a physical edge to him. Both Matt Petgrave and Niklas Nevalainen will be back in Orange for a second season after agreeing new contracts with the club for the 2023-24 Elite League season. Steelers can confirm the signing of 6’1 right winger Kameron Kielly for the 2023-24 Elite League Season. Aaron Fox said “He’s extremely motivated to come in and be an impact player for us.Kam is coming off an injury that cut his season short last year but he is healthy and can’t wait to get started.
AUGUST
An agreement has been reached for Sheffield Steelers to acquire Sheffield Steeldogs, and that agreement will allow Sheffield Steeldogs to fully participate in the Planet Ice National Ice Hockey League in the 2023 season and beyond. The Planet Ice National Ice Hockey league is pleased to confirm that 11 teams will compete in the 23 /24 season. The Steeldogs organisation needed to evaluate some financial and operational restructuring options, resulting in Tony Smith taking ownership of the Steeldogs. Tony has confirmed that the Steeldogs will be sustainable and compliant moving forward.
Steelers have confirmed the signing of 25 year old winger Mikko Juusola from HC Energie Karlovy Vary in Czechia Previously Juusola had only played in his home country, Finland, playing 75 times in Liiga and 109 appearances in Mestis as well as representing his County at the U20 level.Announcing the deal head coach Aaron Fox said "Mikko is a dynamic skilled dynamic winger who skates very well and will play a very creative game."
Josh Nicholls has been confirmed as the Steelers final summer signing as he joins the club from Kunlun Red Stars of the KHL Playing for the Kunlun Red Star's, Nicholls has played 86 KHL games over the past four years, where he also had stints with Storhamar (Norway) and Heilbronner Falken's (Germany).I'm excited to get over to the UK and help contribute to a winning organisation,said Nicholls.After the time in Russia I wanted to come to a side wanting to win, I need to compete every night and after speaking with Aaron, I decided that place was Sheffield.
SEPTEMBER
With less than 24 hours before the Steelers squad joins up together for the first time tomorrow morning the club has confirmed a new signing as Mitchell Balmas arrives in Sheffield.Balmas joins the Steelers from American Hockey League side, Iowa Wild where he played 34 games last season.
The Sheffield Steelers, unfortunately, will be unable to play their end of season play off quarter final at the Utilita Arena on the weekend of Saturday 13th or Sunday 14th April.Steelers will not have any home ice available at the arena following their final scheduled league game against Cardiff Devils on Saturday 30th March with their final league games being played on the road in Belfast on the 6th and 7th April.
OCTOBER
Nottingham Panthers player Adam Johnson died following a freak accident in a match against Sheffield Steelers on Saturday night. Johnson suffered a severe neck injury after he was caught by a blade in last nights Challenge Cup game between Nottingham and Sheffield Steelers at the Utilita Arena. The match was abandoned and screens were brought onto the ice as medical teams battled to save him before he was taken to hospital. Nottingham confirmed on Sunday morning the player had passed away.
NOVEMBER
Steelers were met with incredible support on the the first game back following the freak accident in the Nottingham Panthers Game when skating out on to the ice against the Manchester Storm in Challenge Cup action, a sold out rink with Orange the predominant colour. It was an incredible performance by the Steelers from the first shift to the last as they dominated play for the vast major of the game. Goals from Patrick Watling, Robert Dowd, Marco Vallerand and Daniel Ciampini secured another 2 points and a 100% record in the Challenge Cup. 18 Steelers are delighted to welcome Dominic Cormier to the club.The 25 year old Canadian arrives from Norway where he has been playing for Stjernen.
On Sunday the Steelers welcomed the 5,000,000 spectator that has watched a Steelers official home game.The Steelers first home game was played against the Chelmsford Chieftains back on the 6th October 1991 (3-3 draw with Messrs Shudra, Lee and Thompson scoring for the club) Dan Hungate had no idea he was that fan until the camera showed him on the big screen and he was met by Steeler Dan holding a special 5 Million Steelers shirt a one off.
YEAR 2024
JANUARY
Steelers 5th goal in Glasgow at 57.05 on the power-play will go down in club history Assisted by Marco Vallerand and Colton Saucerman, Robert Dowd Scored his 330th goal for the club and in doing so, passed Ron Shudra's 329 making him the Steelers all time 2nd highest goal scorer, just 26 shy of Steve Nemeth.
There is only once place to start and that is with Hannah Trevillion who was the winner of the biggest ever 50-50 prize in British Ice Hockey history.Yes, it was a roll-over, but still what an incredible prize to win.19,999 pounds.
A frustrating night for the Steelers in Fife their incredible 14 (league games on the road) winning records ends as the Flyers take this game 2-1 Steelers had the majority of the play against an understrength Flyers side but could not find a way past Kevin Lindskoug in Fife's goal.
MARCH
A 7-3 win over Guildford Flames secured Sheffield Steelers the 2023/24 Elite Ice Hockey League title, their first since 2016. The Steelers had a dream start against the team they'd defeated in the Challenge Cup Final some 10 days prior, going ahead off a special move from Patrick Watling with only 2:22 played. Scott Allen doubled the lead at 6:39, before Colton Saucerman found Marc-Olivier Vallerand for the one-time powerplay finish at 14:30 to have them three ahead after 20 minutes. Flames captain Brett Ferguson got his team on the board 93 seconds into period two, and just 20 seconds later Mike Crocock's shot got through to suddenly make it a one-goal game. Kevin Tansey put the hosts back two ahead just under three minutes later, but the Flames were refusing to lay down were rewarded through Ferguson's second of the night coming on the powerplay at 33:48. The opening minutes of period three, together with the closing stages of period two, were nervy for the home side who saw the Flames come with a lot of pressure. A huge air of relief went up in the Utilita Arena when Mitchell Balmas produced something special to put the Steelers 4-2 up at 46:45. Ciampini got on a rebound at 56:27 to confirm the Steelers would lift the league trophy on Sunday, while Vallerand's second powerplay marker of the evening added the icing on the Steelers' cake with 68 seconds to play. The Steelers secured the league title with five games to spare and a goal difference of +110, also having not lost back-to-back games this season. They are also rewarded with a place in next season's Champions Hockey League.
APRIL
A 7-3 win over Guildford Flames secured Sheffield Steelers the 2023/24 Elite Ice Hockey League title, their first since 2016. The Steelers had a dream start against the team they'd defeated in the Challenge Cup Final some 10 days prior, going ahead off a special move from Patrick Watling with only 2:22 played. Scott Allen doubled the lead at 6:39, before Colton Saucerman found Marc-Olivier Vallerand for the one-time powerplay finish at 14:30 to have them three ahead after 20 minutes. Flames captain Brett Ferguson got his team on the board 93 seconds into period two, and just 20 seconds later Mike Crocock's shot got through to suddenly make it a one-goal game. Kevin Tansey put the hosts back two ahead just under three minutes later, but the Flames were refusing to lay down were rewarded through Ferguson's second of the night coming on the powerplay at 33:48. The opening minutes of period three, together with the closing stages of period two, were nervy for the home side who saw the Flames come with a lot of pressure. A huge air of relief went up in the Utilita Arena when Mitchell Balmas produced something special to put the Steelers 4-2 up at 46:45. Ciampini got on a rebound at 56:27 to confirm the Steelers would lift the league trophy on Sunday, while Vallerand's second powerplay marker of the evening added the icing on the Steelers' cake with 68 seconds to play. The Steelers secured the league title with five games to spare and a goal difference of +110, also having not lost back-to-back games this season. They are also rewarded with a place in next season's Champions Hockey League.
On the 21st, in Nottingham the Sheffield Steelers claimed the third trophy on offer to clinch a Grand slam of trophies from the Eihl.
Belfast failed to capitalise on two early powerplays, calling Matt Greenfield into a couple of excellent stops across his crease, as the Steelers held out through the opening stages. With 15:11 gone, Greg Printz was called for a major boarding penalty which led to the first ever video review for a major penalty in the UK. The game officials confirmed the major but stopped short of giving an ejection. The Steelers punished that penalty with two goals. Daniel Ciampini was left all alone to slot home at the far post to put Sheffield ahead at 15:49, while Mikko Juusola got on a loose puck in front to double their lead 35 seconds later. Belfast struggled to generate much sustained offensive zone pressure in the middle period, but got themselves back into the game shortly before the end of the period. While Scott Allen sat a roughing call, Blake Speers converted a perfect Ara Nazarian feed to the short side to beat Greenfield with eight seconds left in the period. Period three saw the Giants come close to tying the game on a couple of chances, but on each of them they found Greenfield there to keep the puck out. Kevin Tansey sealed the Grand Slam with an empty netter from below his own goal line as the Steelers took a 3-1 win.