Jayboy
Player signings thread - Sheffield...
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Jayboy
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Valley confirmed as leaving Sheffield Steelers
https://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/tha ... rs-legend/
Jayboy
https://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/tha ... rs-legend/
Jayboy
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mark
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Sport can be incredibly harsh on it's heroes. Vally has been an all time great for the Steelers but it is fair to say he'd lost a yard of pace last season and this level it makes a difference, one that even his skill and positional sense couldn't fully compensate for, he never lost his power or accuracy and leaving him unmarked near the circles on a powerplay usually resulted in the net bulging a few seconds later. Not just a great player but a much loved player by the fans. Replacing him will be hard but I honestly believe it was the right decision for him and the club, he leaves fond memories behind and will always be a welcome guest back at the Arena.
No doubt a lot of supporters will be upset, but I think this is the correct decision for both sides.
He's been a great player for us and has created some magical memories.
Good luck to him next season.
Regards
Doom
He's been a great player for us and has created some magical memories.
Good luck to him next season.
Regards
Doom
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Jayboy
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Its no secret, especially on the steeltalk forum and chatroom, that I absolutely love the character players the best, its no coincidence that the team is better with more than its fair share of characters, they do a job over and above what their on ice stats tell you... they are normally the glue that holds a team together especially in the hard and sometimes dark times. Franchise players like Vallerand are fans favourites for a reason and very much team mates favourites also... Players like Tansey will fill the gap but its the hardest job in hockey to find the right guys that live and breath the team they play for. Marco Vallerand was one of the very best we have had, certainly in recent years and I am so very glad he played for us for 5 seasons through the great times and a few really hard times.
I have to say I am not one for waxing lyrical about a player and I rarely miss a player when its time for them to move on, normally a thankyou and a good luck will suffice...
But Marco Vallerand is one of those players I will truly miss and will talk about in many years to come.
My wife loves him and my kids grew up watching him play and he was their first real Steelers hero....
I hope we find a way to bring him back for a standing ovation at the arena, he deserves it...
when ever I think of Sheffield Steelers he was always my go to player along with Robert Dowd of course..
Goodbye for now Valley....
I have to say I am not one for waxing lyrical about a player and I rarely miss a player when its time for them to move on, normally a thankyou and a good luck will suffice...
But Marco Vallerand is one of those players I will truly miss and will talk about in many years to come.
My wife loves him and my kids grew up watching him play and he was their first real Steelers hero....
I hope we find a way to bring him back for a standing ovation at the arena, he deserves it...
when ever I think of Sheffield Steelers he was always my go to player along with Robert Dowd of course..
Goodbye for now Valley....
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ginger
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Two big sets of shoes to fill, both Vallerand and Watling did not disappoint at all (still think of Watling scoring twice against Belfast with 1 good arm).
Hopefully some news soon on their replacements.
In terms of last year's team, still unconfirmed:
De Filippo (although Fox's interview on Greenfield suggests he's gone)
Diffley
Vainio
Sauce (looks Coventry bound)
Balmas
Golod
Ciampini
Leavens
Whistle
Simpson
I suspect Ciampini maybe the next confirmed retirement, and I suspect Fox will want to try and upgrade Leavens (even though I think injury did hamper him last year). Can't see Whistle going anywhere except Belfast now, so forward wise I think only Balmas and Golod are still possible returnees. Simpson is an unknown - would definitely take as 3C. Personally think Balmas is a done deal, but not sure on Golod (crossing everything).
D I think Diffley is probably the one who may still return, although I think we need a slightly different style of D for that last spot.
There's a few players who scored well in some of the commonly recruited from leagues who are not yet confirmed for any team next year, who I would hope we've looked at and enquired about. No idea if we have so won't chuck names out as it's fairly meaningless at this point. As per Simms tweet we've got at least 4 signed but not announced, so guessing we'll find out in a month or so!
Hopefully some news soon on their replacements.
In terms of last year's team, still unconfirmed:
De Filippo (although Fox's interview on Greenfield suggests he's gone)
Diffley
Vainio
Sauce (looks Coventry bound)
Balmas
Golod
Ciampini
Leavens
Whistle
Simpson
I suspect Ciampini maybe the next confirmed retirement, and I suspect Fox will want to try and upgrade Leavens (even though I think injury did hamper him last year). Can't see Whistle going anywhere except Belfast now, so forward wise I think only Balmas and Golod are still possible returnees. Simpson is an unknown - would definitely take as 3C. Personally think Balmas is a done deal, but not sure on Golod (crossing everything).
D I think Diffley is probably the one who may still return, although I think we need a slightly different style of D for that last spot.
There's a few players who scored well in some of the commonly recruited from leagues who are not yet confirmed for any team next year, who I would hope we've looked at and enquired about. No idea if we have so won't chuck names out as it's fairly meaningless at this point. As per Simms tweet we've got at least 4 signed but not announced, so guessing we'll find out in a month or so!
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Morpheous
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A message from Marco Vallerand …
This is one hard letter to write
In 2019, I stepped off a flight from Austria just for the day and walked into a sold out event at the Holiday Inn Hotel, not to play, not even to train, but just to be introduced. I stood alongside Aaron Fox, not knowing exactly what the future held, but in that moment, I learned something that would define the next few years of my life: what it truly means to be a Steeler.
Thank you to the Coaches, teammates, ownership, Tony, Shaun, Cheryl and Michelle, staff, management, trainers, thank you so much Andy, office staff, media crew, volunteers, just to name a few: Aaron, Carter, Mike, Alfie, Simmsey, Big Mike, Dom Stokes, and everyone who keeps and kept this machine running. You are the heartbeat of the Steelers, and I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done for me!
To some teammates past and recent the ones who became family, THANK YOU!! we’ve been through the highest highs and the lowest lows. Ebz, Ducs, Cons, schulzy, Marty, Lats, Sash, Marco, Hut-dog the 19/20 and grand slam seasons were different in all the best ways. Thank you.
And to the fans… wow! From that very first day, you embraced me with an energy and warmth that I’ll never forget.
You made me feel home. Thank you for your unwavering passion, for turning up game after game, for making the arena feel like our NHL. Watching the crowd grow year after year to consistent sellouts has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. You made every moment on the ice mean that much more and you’ll always be welcome wherever I’ll be playing!
Being a Steeler has been one of the greatest honours of my career. This city and this club has given me memories and friendships on & off the ice I’ll carry with me forever. Saying that, Stefano, Salvatore, Jack, Mark, Dean and Michael thank you for taking such good care of me and see you soon.
Finally, Dowdy, I don’t even know where to start brother, I guess saying thank you and I love you doesn’t seem enough. It’s been a blast having you in Italy and in Sheffield What an honour playing alongside you watching you break milestones after milestones. You are a true model and inspiration to me. See you soon Bro
Thank you for everything, Sheffield.
On to the next challenge
Vally
This is one hard letter to write
In 2019, I stepped off a flight from Austria just for the day and walked into a sold out event at the Holiday Inn Hotel, not to play, not even to train, but just to be introduced. I stood alongside Aaron Fox, not knowing exactly what the future held, but in that moment, I learned something that would define the next few years of my life: what it truly means to be a Steeler.
Thank you to the Coaches, teammates, ownership, Tony, Shaun, Cheryl and Michelle, staff, management, trainers, thank you so much Andy, office staff, media crew, volunteers, just to name a few: Aaron, Carter, Mike, Alfie, Simmsey, Big Mike, Dom Stokes, and everyone who keeps and kept this machine running. You are the heartbeat of the Steelers, and I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done for me!
To some teammates past and recent the ones who became family, THANK YOU!! we’ve been through the highest highs and the lowest lows. Ebz, Ducs, Cons, schulzy, Marty, Lats, Sash, Marco, Hut-dog the 19/20 and grand slam seasons were different in all the best ways. Thank you.
And to the fans… wow! From that very first day, you embraced me with an energy and warmth that I’ll never forget.
You made me feel home. Thank you for your unwavering passion, for turning up game after game, for making the arena feel like our NHL. Watching the crowd grow year after year to consistent sellouts has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. You made every moment on the ice mean that much more and you’ll always be welcome wherever I’ll be playing!
Being a Steeler has been one of the greatest honours of my career. This city and this club has given me memories and friendships on & off the ice I’ll carry with me forever. Saying that, Stefano, Salvatore, Jack, Mark, Dean and Michael thank you for taking such good care of me and see you soon.
Finally, Dowdy, I don’t even know where to start brother, I guess saying thank you and I love you doesn’t seem enough. It’s been a blast having you in Italy and in Sheffield What an honour playing alongside you watching you break milestones after milestones. You are a true model and inspiration to me. See you soon Bro
Thank you for everything, Sheffield.
On to the next challenge
Vally