Sheffield Steelers

Pro hockey team
text_color = Orange
bg_color = Black
team = Sheffield Steelers

logosize = 230px
city = Sheffield, England
league = Elite Ice Hockey League
founded = 1991
operated =
arena = Sheffield Arena
colors = White, Teal, Orange
owner = Arena Sports Ltd
coach = flagicon|CAN Dave Matsos
captain = flagicon|UK Jonathan Philips
GM =
media =
affiliates =
name1 =
dates1 =
name2 =
dates2 =
reg_season_titles = 1994–95, 1995–96, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2003–04
championships = 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2007–08
autumn_cups = 1995–96, 2000–01
challenge_cups = 1998–99, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2002–03

Sheffield Steelers are a club in British ice hockey, from Sheffield, England. They were formed in 1991 (see 1991 in sport) and play their home games at the Sheffield Arena. They are currently members of the Elite Ice Hockey League. Their main (title) sponsor is Euro Logix. The are the current Elite League playoff champions.

History

s in an attempt to pull in football fans too. Another marketing ploy was to give certain players nicknames to help the crowd associate with the new (and as yet unknown) players. This was an idea hatched by the announcer Dave Simms.Fact|date=June 2007

The Steelers were named in honor of Sheffield's industrial past, much like the American football team of the same name based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the sharing of nicknames are merely a coincidence. The American football team actually predates Sheffield's team by 58 years and was already popular worldwide due to their dominance in the National Football League in the 1970's. It should be noted, however, that on a global scale, Sheffield and Pittsburgh are considered sister cities. [ [http://www.sister-cities.org/icrc/directory/usa/PA Sister Cities International ] ]

Sheffield Steelers were the first ever fully professional ice hockey team in Great Britain, and O’Brien suggested that there was a lot of resentment from the followers of other hockey teams who saw them as a "cheque book hockey club" able to buy whoever they chose.Fact|date=June 2007 Likewise, Sluyter questions the authenticity of the majority of Steelers fans in the club’s early days. Though he admitted that it was a generalisation, Sluyter suggested hockey fans of teams like Cardiff, Fife and Nottingham were ice hockey fans first and foremost, while Steelers' supporters were only Steelers fans, and knew very little of ice hockey outside of Sheffield. However, it made little difference as Sheffield began breaking several British ice hockey attendance records, and in March of that year added an extra 1,200 seats to the Arena to meet the growing demand.

Sheffield Steelers had begun their first ever season in English Division One of the British Hockey League. One year later Sheffield Steelers won promotion into the British Premier League, before going on to win this in 1995 — the last team to do so before the formation of the new British Ice Hockey Super League (ISL) that year.Fact|date=June 2007

On Sunday 3 December 2006, the Steelers played in their 1000th ever game. [cite web| author = Sheffield Steelers | title = 1000th Game Fast Approaches | url = http://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/news/archives/index.html?article_id=1256 | year = 2006 | accessdate = 2007-06-13 | publisher = sheffieldsteelers.co.uk ] The game was against the Basingstoke Bison at the Hallam FM Arena, for which special orange jerseys had been made for the match. [cite web| author = Sheffield Steelers | title = Special Game Shirt for Sunday | url = http://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/news/archives/index.html?article_id=1254 | year = 2006 | accessdate = 2007-06-13 | publisher = sheffieldsteelers.co.uk ] The Steelers lost the game 3–2 [cite web| author = Sheffield Steelers | title = Steelers Go Down to the Bison on their 1,000th Night | url = http://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/news/archives/index.html?article_id=1263 | year = 2006 | accessdate = 2007-06-13 | publisher = sheffieldsteelers.co.uk ] and the jerseys were all auctioned off at the game.

2000–2001

In the 2000–01 campaign the Steelers completed a memorable Grand Slam, comprising the Benson & Hedges Cup, League, Challenge Cup and Playoff Titles. They managed this feat by blatantly breaking the salary cap (for which they were found guilty by the Superleague) set for all teams at the beginning of the season. The only other team to win all four trophies in one season were the Ayr Scottish Eagles who completed this feat in the 1997–98 season. The Challenge Cup Final was held in the new Odyssey Arena in Belfast in front of a full house of 7,300. Ayr were the opponents and Steelers won 4–2.

The Steelers are the only team to have won 7 trophies in the Superleague era.The teams playoff success came against the London Knights who they defeated 2–1 in a very tight game at the Nottingham Ice Centre to take the Playoff crown.

2001–2002

After a turbulent start to the 2001–02 season, the players managed to turn things around and go on to retain the playoff title they had won the previous season. They overcame the London Knights (3–2) in the semi-final after going 0-2 down early on and beat the Manchester Storm (4–3) in the final. With time running out the Steelers were losing 2–3 before Chris Lipsett tied the game to send it to overtime. This failed to separate the teams so penalties were required. Steelers netminder, Ryan Bach, saved all five Manchester attempts whilst Brad Lauer was successful for the Steelers. This was again played at the National Ice Centre in Nottingham in front of a full house. This victory made the Steelers the only club to successfully retain the Superleague title.

2006–2007

The 2006–07 season had highs and lows, as well as a long unbeaten run, it also included a long losing streak which had some fans questioning the Coach, Matsos. However Matsos made a very difficult decision to cut fan-favourite and enforcer Brett Clouthier to bring in Ryan Finnerty [cite web| author = Sheffield Steelers | title = All Change at the Steelers | url = http://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/news/archives/index.html?article_id=1383 | year = 2007 | accessdate = 2007-06-13 | publisher = sheffieldsteelers.co.uk ] who also became a fan favourite with his fiery and skillful play. Coach David Matsos completed his rookie year taking the Steelers to a fourth place finish in the league and a place in the Challenge Cup Finals. [cite web| author = Britich Ice Hockey.co.uk | title = Elite Ice Hockey League - 2006/07 | url = http://www.britishicehockey.co.uk/leagueeihl0607.htm | year = 2007 | accessdate = 2007-06-13 | publisher = britishicehockey.co.uk ] Although it was an unsuccessful season in terms of silverware for the Steelers, the club made strides off-ice and broke an Elite League Attendance record against the Manchester Phoenix with an attendance of 7339.Fact|date=June 2007

2007–2008

After a trophyless season the Sheffield Steelers looked on towards the 2007–08 season. They tied Coach David Matsos down to stay for another year, and preparation began for the new season. [cite web| author = Sheffield Steelers | title = Matsos Pledges to the Steelers | url = http://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/news/archives/index.html?article_id=1557 | year = 2007 | accessdate = 2007-06-13 | publisher = sheffieldsteelers.co.uk ] Team Owner Bob Phillips and his wife sold their other Elite League club the Cardiff Devils in order to concentrate on building the Steelers. [cite web| author = The Sheffield Star | title = Steelers chief sells Devils | url = http://www.thestar.co.uk/template/ViewArticle.aspx?SectionID=5083&articleid=2188701 | year = 2007 | accessdate = 2007-06-13 | publisher = thestar.co.uk ]

Matsos made a quick start in the off-season resigning his core of British Players, which were, Captain Jonathan Phillips, [cite web| author = Sheffield Steelers | title = Steelers Captain Phillips Back for Another Year | url = http://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/news/archives/index.html?article_id=1607 | year = 2007 | accessdate = 2007-06-13 | publisher = sheffieldsteelers.co.uk ] Defenseman Mark Thomas, [cite web| author = Sheffield Steelers | title = Steelers Re-Sign Lehman and Thomas | url = http://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/news/archives/index.html?article_id=1634 | year = 2007 | accessdate = 2007-06-13 | publisher = sheffieldsteelers.co.uk ] and forwards Warren Tait [cite web| author = Sheffield Steelers | title = Warren Tait Signs For Another Year | url = http://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/news/archives/index.html?article_id=1610 | year = 2007 | accessdate = 2007-06-13 | publisher = sheffieldsteelers.co.uk ] and Jason Hewitt. [cite web| author = Sheffield Steelers | title = Hewitt Signs for Another Year | url = http://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/news/archives/index.html?article_id=1620 | year = 2007 | accessdate = 2007-06-13 | publisher = sheffieldsteelers.co.uk ]

Matsos also snapped up two imports from the previous season, Goaltender Jody Lehman [cite web| author = Sheffield Steelers | title = Steelers Re-Sign Lehman and Thomas | url = http://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/news/archives/index.html?article_id=1634 | year = 2007 | accessdate = 2007-06-13 | publisher = sheffieldsteelers.co.uk ] and the coaches player of the season Ian Manzano. [cite web| author = Sheffield Steelers | title = Manzano Signs | url = http://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/news/archives/index.html?article_id=1640 | year = 2007 | accessdate = 2007-06-13 | publisher = sheffieldsteelers.co.uk ]

Rumours were that the other British Forward Phil Hill would not be returning and these rumours were almost clarified when Matsos signed top British forward Ashley Tait (brother of Warren) who had captained the Coventry Blaze in the previous season and lifted the League and Challenge Cup; as well as runners-up in the British Knockout Cup and the semi-finals of the Elite League Playoffs. [cite web| author = Sheffield Steelers | title = Ashley Tait is a STEELER | url = http://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/news/archives/index.html?article_id=1644 | year = 2007 | accessdate = 2007-06-13 | publisher = sheffieldsteelers.co.uk ]

The Steelers re-signed fan favourite Ryan Finnerty [cite web| author = Sheffield Steelers | title = Ryan Finnerty Signs for the Steelers Once Agaian | url = http://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/news/archives/index.html?article_id=1656 | year = 2007 | accessdate = 2007-06-13 | publisher = sheffieldsteelers.co.uk ] and two days later announced the signing of Steve Munn from the Norfolk Admirals (AHL) and Munn was the first player to take advantage of the Steelers links with the Sheffield University where he will study for an MBA during his two year stay at the club. [cite web| author = Sheffield Steelers | title = Steelers New Signing is Steve Munn | url = http://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/news/archives/index.html?article_id=1658 | year = 2007 | accessdate = 2007-06-13 | publisher = sheffieldsteelers.co.uk ]

Jeff Legue was announced as a new Steelers signing, [cite web| author = Sheffield Steelers | title = Legue Confirmed as Latest Signing | url = http://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/news/archives/index.html?article_id=1667 | year = 2007 | accessdate = 2007-06-13 | publisher = sheffieldsteelers.co.uk ] shortly followed by Randy Dagenais who will be the second player to study for an MBA while at the Steelers. [cite web| author = Sheffield Steelers | title = The New Steeler is Randy Dagenais | url = http://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/news/archives/index.html?article_id=1669 | year = 2007 | accessdate = 2007-06-13 | publisher = sheffieldsteelers.co.uk ] Rod Sarich's return was confirmed [cite web| author = Sheffield Steelers | title = Sarich Back to Win a Championship | url = http://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/news/archives/index.html?article_id=1678 | year = 2007 | accessdate = 2007-06-13 | publisher = sheffieldsteelers.co.uk ] and Joe Talbot was revealed as a Steelers player, [cite web| author = Sheffield Steelers | title = Joe Talbot Signs for the Steelers | url = http://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/news/archives/index.html?article_id=1687 | year = 2007 | accessdate = 2007-06-13 | publisher = sheffieldsteelers.co.uk ] leaving Matsos with just one spot left to fill on his roster. Jeremy Cornish was announced as the final Steelers signing on 16 July and would fit into the Steelers third line and become the club's new enforcer. [cite web| author = Sheffield Steelers | title = Jeremy Cornish Signs for the Steelers | url = http://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/news/archives/index.html?article_id=1722 | year = 2007 | accessdate = 2007-07-18 | publisher = sheffieldsteelers.co.uk ]

On 18 July 2007 it was announced that Liberata would the club's title sponsor for the 2007–08 season. [cite web| author = Sheffield Steelers | title = Liberata are the Title Sponsors of the Steelers | url = http://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/news/archives/index.html?article_id=1724 | year = 2007 | accessdate = 2007-07-19 | publisher = sheffieldsteelers.co.uk ]

On 18 January 2008 Sheffield Steelers announced the signing of former fan favourite Dan Tessier who last season scored 99 points. Dan left Sheffield at the end of last season tho pursue a career in Germany's DEL with Duisburg Foxes but was released after only 19 games with a very poor points record of only 6 point. he then went back to Canada with the Kalamazoo K Wings of the IHL, but then asked for his contact to be terminated to join a team in England.

On March 12th the Sheffield Steelers announced that they had secured head coach Dave Matsos to a 2 year contract extension which would keep him at the club until at least the end of the 2010 season.

The Sheffield Steelers won the Elite League Playoff Championship after beating the Coventry Blaze 2-0 in the final with goals from Johnathan Phillips and Dan Tessier. The Steelers beat Manchester Phoenix 5-4 and drew 4-4 in the Quarter Finals to win 9-5 on aggregate. The Steelers then beat the Cardiff Devils in the Semi Final 2-1 before progressing to the final.

2008–2009

After winning the Playoff trophy in April, Dave Matsos started his recruitment for the coming season with the goal of winning the league title. Captain Johnathan Phillips was first to put pen to paper on a new contract for the coming season, which will be his third with the club. This signing was followed by the announcement of the return of Ryan Finnerty, as well as confirmation of Steve Munn and Randy Dagenais returning to complete their 2nd year of 2 year deals, as well as their University Course.

Rumours were circulating that Jody Lehmann would not be offered a new contract, and that the Steelers were looking at bringing Christian Bronsard back to the club for his second stint.

On the 6th of May the Steelers announced British Defenceman Mark Thomas had signed a new 1 year contract, this would be the first of two announcements for the Steelers in this week. The second announcement was announced on Thursday and it was Assistant Player/Coach Doug Sheppard who was announced as the returnee after signing a new 1 year deal.

The club announced they had started contract negotiations with Goaltender Jody Lehmann about a return but had set him a deadline for his answer. A few days later it was announced Jeff Legue would be the latest of last years team to sign a new deal.

Goaltender news arrived, but not on the starting goalie front, it was announced by the club that backup goaltender Davey Lawrence would not be returning, instead he would be signing for Telford Tigers in the English Premier League in order to gain a place as a starting goaltender.

Matsos continued his resignings and the club announced Jason Hewitt had signed to return for the 08/09 season. On the same day the Sheffield Star published an article stating that Robert Dowd had signed a full time contract with the Steelers from the Sheffield Scimitars, after playing 14 games for the club last term.

The club later confirmed that Jody Lehman would return to Sheffield for another season, tasked with the job of bringing the league trophy back to Sheffield.

The Sheffield Star reported that a return for Joey Talbot was looking less likely after contract negotiations were stalling, and later reported that a return for Dan Tessier, was also unlikely.Rod Sarich was also subject to rumours that he would not be returning, However Radio Sheffield were reporting he had re-signed, and the paperwork was just being completed before an official announcement was made.

The announcement of top scorer Joey Talbot returning to the club was announced on the same day the club announced Dan Tessier would not be returning to the club.Joey Talbot was the club's top scorer in the previous season racking up 39 goals and 36 assists for a total of 75 points.Dan Tessier had previously returned for his second spell at the Sheffield club and the previous season it was announced he would be present for the 2008/2009 season, however the club had decided to go in a different direction, which was expected to be in the size department.

A day later the club confirmed Ian Manzano would also leave the club as they looked for some more strength and grit in the defence department. Coach Dave Matsos stated the league was shifting towards more size again and this led to his decision to release Manzano.

After weeks of negotiating the club finally made a deal with Rod Sarich to return for the upcoming season after he rejected offers from clubs in Denmark. This left the Steelers with only 2 more positions to fill, an import forward and an import defencemen, who would be the replacements of Dan Tessier and Ian Manzano.

Nathan Gillies was announced as the Steelers last forward signing for the upcoming season, having played the last four seasons in the East Coast Hockey League for the Charlotte Checkers and Phoenix Roadrunners.

The signing for the Steelers was announced as Scott Basiuk from Elite League Rivals Manchester Phoenix. Basiuk joins the club on a two-year contract and will study for an MBA as part of the clubs partnership with the Sheffield University.

David Matsos announced a 10th forward as a final signing for the upcoming season, The tenth forward would be Andrew Sharp, who signed a two-way contract with the Sheffield Scimitars. Sharp would take the enforcer role for the upcoming season.

Current roster

"As of 13th May, 2008, 2008-09 EIHL season"

Honoured members

The Steelers have retired the numbers of four players. [cite web| author = Sheffield Steelers | title = History | url = http://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/fanzone/history/ | year = 2007 | accessdate = 2007-11-06 | publisher = sheffieldsteelers.co.uk ] Ronnie Wood's number 7 and Tim Cranston's number 4 have been retired. Tony Hand's number 16 and Ken Priestlay's number 9 were retired on 21 January 2003 at a challenge match against the Dundee Stars. [cite web| author = Stuart Hughes | title = Sheffield to honour Steelers stars | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/2585675.stm | date = 18 December 2002 | accessdate = 2007-11-06 | publisher = BBC Sport Online ]

Six people who have been associated with the Steelers have been inducted to the British Ice Hockey Hall of Fame. [cite web|author = Ice Hockey Journalists UK | title = Hall of Fame | url = http://www.ihjuk.co.uk/hall_of_fame.htm | year = 2007 | accessdate = 2007-11-06 | publisher = ihjuk.co.uk ] Alex Dampier, who coached the Steelers from January 1993 to the end of the 1997–98 season, was inducted in 1995 and Mike Blaisdell, who coached and occasionally iced for the Steelers between 1999 and 2004, was inducted in 2004. On the player front, Chris Kelland was inducted in 2002, Rick Brebant in 2004, Paul Adey in 2006, and the most recent ex-player to be inducted was Scott Neil in 2007.

The Steelers started their own Hall of Fame in 2005 in which honoured members are voted for by the fans. There are two Hall of Fames: The Players Hall of Fame [cite web|author = J. P. Smith | title = Players Hall Of Fame | url = http://www.hallofsteel.co.uk/wp/?page_id=36 | year = | accessdate = 2007-11-06 | publisher = [http://www.hallofsteel.co.uk/wp/ Sheffield Steelers Hall of Fame] ] and the Backroom Staff Hall of Fame. [cite web|author = J. P. Smith | title = Backroom Staff Hall Of Fame | url = http://www.hallofsteel.co.uk/wp/?page_id=92 | year = | accessdate = 2007-11-06 | publisher = [http://www.hallofsteel.co.uk/wp/ Sheffield Steelers Hall of Fame] ] Ken Priestlay, Tommy Plommer, Scott Allison and Tim Cranston were inducted to the Players Hall of Fame in 2005 and Ron Shudra and Mike Blaisdell were inducted in 2006. David Simms, responsible for Press and Media at the club, and Andy Akers, Equipment Manager, were inducted to the Backroom Staff Hall of Fame in 2006 and Mike O'Connor, General Manager, was inducted in 2007.

Honours and awards

League Championships
*1994–95, 1995–96, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2003–04

Play Off Championships
*1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2007–08

Autumn Cups
*1995–96, 2000–01

"'Challenge Cups
*1998–99, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2002–03

Player of the Year Trophy
*Ed Courtenay – 1999–00
*David Longstaff – 2000–01
*Joel Laing – 2002–03

Coach of the Year Trophy
*Mike Blaisdell – 2000–01, 2002–03, 2003–04

The Ice Hockey Annual Trophy (Leading British points scorer)
*Tony Hand – 1998–99

First Team All-Star
*1994–95 – Martin McKay
*1995–96 – Wayne Cowley, Tony Hand, Ken Priestlay
*1997–98 – Ed Courtenay
*1998–99 – Ed Courtenay
*1999–00 – Ed Courtenay
*2000–01 – Shayne McCosh, David Longstaff
*2002–03 – Joel Laing, Marc Laniel
*2003–04 – Dion Darling, Kevin Bolibruck, Mark Dutiaume
*2006–07 – Dan Tessier

Second Team All-Star
*1999–00 – Shayne McCosh, Teeder Wynne
*2000–01 – Adam Smith
*2001–02 – Scott Allison
*2002–03 – Dion Darling, Rhett Gordon
*2003–04 – Erik Anderson
*2005–06 – Mark Dutiaume
*2007–08 – Rod Sarich

Grand slam winning teams

The Steelers have won the of all available trophies twice in their history. In the 1995–96 season they won the Benson & Hedges Cup, the league championship and the playoffs. In the 2000–01 season they won the Benson & Hedges Cup, the Challenge Cup, the league championship and the playoffs. The players who played for the Steelers those seasons were:

1995–96 team

Goaltenders
*Wayne Cowley
*Dave Graham (went to Guildford Flames after three games)
*Martin McKay
*Jim Hibbert

Defenders
*Neil Abel
*Perry Doyle
*Scott Heaton
*Chris Kelland
*Andre Malo
*Mike O'Connor
*Ron Shudra
*Jamie Van der Horst
*Rob Wilson
*Mark Wright

Forwards
*Nicky Chinn
*Tim Cranston
*Justin George
*Tony Hand
*David Longstaff (joined from Newcastle Warriors part way through the season)
*Tommy Plommer
*Ken Priestlay
*Les Millie (went to Fife Flyers after five games)
*Scott Neil
*Steve Nemeth

2000–01 team

Goaltenders
*Mike O'Neill
*Mike Torchia

Defenders
*Steve Carpenter
*Shayne McCosh
*Jeff Sebastian
*Kayle Short
*Adam Smith
*Dennis Vial

Forwards
*Paul Adey
*Scott Allison
*Paul Beraldo
*Mike Blaisdell, Coach (played four games injury cover)
*Brent Bobyck (joined from Bracknell Bees part way through the season then went to Manchester Storm after 32 games)
*Rick Brebant
*Dale Craigwell
*David Longstaff
*Scott Metcalfe
*Warren Norris
*Steve Roberts (went to Belfast Giants after 27 games)
*Kent Simpson
*Jason Weaver

eason-by-season record

"Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against":^†Finished second with 60 points. However, five points were deducted for breaking the wage capFact|date=June 2007:^‡Three points were awarded for a win in the 2000–01 season:^††Five team league

Notes

External links

* [http://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk Sheffield Steelers]
* [http://www.eliteleague.co.uk Elite Ice Hockey League]