Player signings thread - Sheffield...

[DiscoRay]

That's certainly interesting.

Because of comments I've read in the past I've always assumed North American rinks are generally smaller.

Maybe it isn't the issue I thought it was. I've seen some ECHL players who put up good numbers over there really struggle to have an influence in our league. I just assumed that maybe they'd struggled to adapt to the ice size over here.

You live and learn.

Regards

Doom

Indeed I only learned of this myself in the past couple of years, when per chance a podcast I was listening to was talking to a US College coach and he mentioned the rink sizes. In short the NHL would love to go up to Olympic size too, but the factors of the raw cost of the work on their arenas and also revenue lost from the seats that would have to be taken away make it a non-starter. It's possible when the next generation of arenas for NHL teams need to get built, they will be Olympic sized.

[paul johnston]

If Golod isn't returning, I'd suggest Gentile essentially replaces his spot. However, if he does actually come back, I could see Tait and Dowd as 3rd line wingers, but both usually play right side.

I think a lot depends on what happens at centre.

I'm terms of Golod, he looked great from his first game against Berlin - said straight away that he'd do some serious damage in EIHL. It's sometimes situational in terms of points totals in any given year, and he's still young so should be improving still year on year. Slovakia is a weird one, some settle in and have good years, but it's notorious for not always being a great experience for players. He's bounced up and down the NA system so sometimes don't always find consistency while that happens.

Allsvenskan is a really difficult league as well to judge as it's a difficult league to score in (Swedish teams even below SHL are very well drilled and structured).

Thanks ginger, I always enjoy reading your views on team structure.

If we can get both Golod and Balmas to return it would certainly give us plenty of depth in the forwards, which is something Fox seems to like.

I guess time will tell.

Regards

Doom

Appreciate it, thank you.

Golod and Balmas returning would be really big, especially if can also find a high end centre to round out the top 6. Potentially then see Dowd move to centre on the 2nd line.

Brandon Whistle is still the big question mark as well. As it stands, I can't see how he fits unless Kelly will be 7th D and we go 6 import D again. Other scenarios would be dressing 2 import netminders, or game day rosters rules are changing to allow a 13th fwd/7th D to be dressed.

Definitely lots of possibilities.

Not sure where Brandon could fit in now with Brits already signed, unless we go extra Brits and Tait and Gentile both play higher up the lines.

Surely the back up NM on most nights will be a young Brit unless import outskater injuries

[ginger]

[

Not sure where Brandon could fit in now with Brits already signed, unless we go extra Brits and Tait and Gentile both play higher up the lines.

Surely the back up NM on most nights will be a young Brit unless import outskater injuries

It could be that a rule change to game day rosters has been agreed but not released publicly yet, which would allow that extra skater to be dressed.

Other school of thought could be retaining Whistle gives us head start when import limit drops the following year. Also could be a head start on replacing Dowd who is getting to the age when retirement is a possibility.

You could see it that Whistle offers as much as a top 9 import fwd, therefore you don't lose much output, so with the above considerations you could look at a 2 import netminder situation for a season.

Will be interesting for sure

[Jayboy]

Liam Steele joins Sheffield Steelers on a two way deal with Sheffield Steeldogs.

https://www.steeldogs.co.uk/huge-in-mor ... -the-club/

Liam Steele, all 6’4 and 225lbs of him are on the way to Sheffield after the 24 year old signed a two-way deal with the Steelers and Steeldogs this week

Liam comes to us directly from Cornell’s NCAA D1 program, where he secured a scholarship with the ‘Ivy League’ school, a remarkable feat for any young British player. He’s also got Tier 1 Junior experience and was an intrinsic part of the GB program through U18s and U20s.

Commanding in stature and presence, he’ll be a formidable force on the back end. He’s also got serious offensive upside, and one of his main strengths is how comfortable he is driving forward with the puck.

Securing Liam’s services. Is a major coup for our organisation. He’s one of the most sought-after British prospects at the moment, which was made apparent by the amount of other offers he had to consider. It speaks volumes for the pathway and opportunity advancement that we’ve created here that Liam decided Sheffield was the best place for him to sign.

Steelers head coach Aaron Fox was also delighted to welcome Liam to the Sheffield hockey family, saying Liam is an exciting prospect who we have followed for a few years now.

Once we were aware he was looking to come back into the UK we felt this is the perfect opportunity for Liam, and both of our clubs to provide whatever the best developmental opportunity that is needed for him.

He’s big, skates well for his size and willing to play a hard physical game. Liam makes a good first pass and reads the game very well. I’m extremely excited to get him in and see how and where he fits. I do believe his ceiling is a top national team Dman and it’s our job as an organisation to get him there as quickly as possible.

[Doom]

This looks a great signing for the Dogs and hopefully the Steelers in the future.

This is an example of how the link between the two clubs benefits the Dogs, because I'm sure Liam would have signed elsewhere without the Steelers carrot.

It's a shame Sam Cooper left for Leeds, but I guess he realised his chances of stepping up were remote and followed the money to Leeds

Regards

Doom

[ginger]

Pretty reliable rumour source suggests we've signed Jordan Southorn https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/1 ... n-southorn

Whilst older (just turned 35) he's been playing at a high level until going to France last year.

I find France really difficult to judge as it's a real mixed bag in terms of ability, with some cracking EIHL level players and some who'd probably struggle. Given the fact he was the top scoring D man for a poor Augsburger team in 23/24 and only -9 would suggest he was probably a DEL level player that year but didn't have support. I hate +/- as a stat in isolation but given the added context it's worth mentioning.

As long as he's not dropped off massively since that year, he's probably a very good 5th D

[Johnny777]

If true then it would be nice to have some additional size on the D and don’t think it would do any harm to have 1 more forward with some size (who uses it physically) who can also play ie Desbiens esque

[smbmetal]

Welcome to Sheffield Liam.

Like the link between the Steelers and the Dogs. Hope we get to see him make the step up.

At 24 years old, he really ought to be playing regularly in the EIHL, unless he's a late developer?

[Morpheous]

Sacha Guimond signs to AlpsHL team, HC Gherdeina

[mark]

Nice guy Guimond but I suspect his game was on a downward slope, good player when fit but perhaps an import slot where we can improve next season.