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Sheffield Steelers

The Sheffield Steelers are a professional ice hockey team located in Sheffield, England. They were formed in 1991 (see 1991 in sport) and play their home games at the Utilita Arena. They are currently a member of the Elite Ice Hockey League. The club's main (title) sponsor is Sheffield Window Centre.

History

Sheffield Arena: home of the Steelers in 1997
Sheffield Arena: home of the Steelers twenty-five years later in 2022

Ice Hockey existed in amateur form in Sheffield, but the sport began its return to an era of arenas and stadium size crowds with the opening of the Sheffield Arena in 1991 and the creation of the Sheffield Steelers — the ice hockey team that was to occupy the new arena. The Sheffield Arena was built as part of the city's facilities for the staging of the World Student Games, and is a sizeable stadium originally seating 8,500 and located close to the city centre.[1] Ronnie Wood and David Gardener-Brown were at the helm as the Marketing Director at the club and set about promoting ice hockey to a city raised on the footballing success of Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday. Wood had a specific target, seeking to attract children and families to the city's new sporting Arena. They also began taking players to local football matches and together with mascots in an attempt to pull in football fans too. The Steelers' announcer David Simms gave certain players nicknames in the 1991–92 season to help the crowd associate with the players such as 'Rocket Ron Shudra, 'Stormin' Steve Nemeth and 'Magic' Mark Mackie.

The Steelers were named in honour of Sheffield's industrial past, much like the American football team of the same name based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the sharing of nicknames is 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 1970s. Sheffield and Pittsburgh are considered sister cities.[2]

The Steelers have continued to fill the capacity of the Arena nearly every season since, including over 9,000 vs Nottingham on Boxing Day 2021. Sheffield began breaking several British ice hockey attendance records, and in March 1996 added an extra 1,200 seats to the Arena to meet the growing demand. The Manchester v Sheffield game in 1997 saw a UK record 17,245, such was the passion for the game at that time.[3]

On Sunday 3 December 2006, the Steelers played in their 1000th ever game.[4] The game was against the Basingstoke Bison at the Hallam FM Arena, for which special orange jerseys had been made for the match.[5] The Steelers lost the game 3–2[6] and the jerseys were all auctioned off at the game.

2000–present

In the 2000–01 campaign the Steelers completed a Grand Slam, becoming only the second club to win the Autumn Cup, League, Challenge Cup and Playoff Titles in the same season. They retained the Play-off title the following season, the first team to achieve this in the Superleague era, beating Manchester Storm on penalties in the Play-Off final, held at the National Ice Centre in Nottingham in front of a full house.

David Matsos was appointed as coach for the 2006–07 season. He led the Steelers to a fourth-place finish in the league and a place in the Challenge Cup Finals.[7]

In 2007 team Owner Bob Phillips and his wife sold their other Elite League club the Cardiff Devils in order to concentrate on building the Steelers.[8] The club won that season's Elite League Playoff Championship after beating the Coventry Blaze 2–0 in the final with goals from Johnathan Phillips and Dan Tessier. The Steelers were knocked out of the following season's Knockout Cup and Challenge Cup early, but finished first in a league campaign that saw them lose just three times in regulation. They made this a double by beating Nottingham Panthers 2–0 in the Play-Off final. The Steelers season ended in the Quarter Finals of the Play-offs after being knocked out by the Cardiff Devils.

The 2010–11 season was preceded by a "walk-out" of Steelers management and office staff, after a vote of no confidence in Owner Bob Phillips. Phillips put the club up for sale, and in December 2010 Paul Ragan, the CEO and owner of the Cardiff Devils, finalised acquiring the rights to the Sheffield Steelers. The Steelers were at the top of the league for the majority of the season, battling it out with the Cardiff Devils, .and won the league after back-to-back victories against the Braehead Clan. The Steelers were tied on points with Cardiff but won the league having more regulation time wins. After several rounds of negotiations, Simon decided not to renew his contract, and Ryan Finnerty was installed as player/coach after. During that season Sheffield Steelers became the first EIHL team to win a medal in Europe after their appearance in the Continental Cup superfinal.

Tony Smith took over as sole owner in August 2011 after buying out Paul Ragan. The Steelers won the 2013–14 Play-Off final 3–2 against Belfast Giants.

From 2014 onwards any time that the Sheffield Steelers win a game the player dubbed Man of the Match does a fast lap around the ice with a pre-planned celebration at the end of their fast lap. This tradition was then called "the Eddy" named after the player who originated this tradition Cullen Eddy. Some sources say that this was originally a prank devised by players at the time Mark Thomas and Jason Hewitt who skated over to Eddy and told him that it was a 20 year tradition at the club to do a fast lap around the perimeter of the ice. The prank paid off and after that the Steelers incorporated this in their match night celebrations[9][10]

At the end of season 2014–15 they beat the Cardiff Devils to clinch the Elite League title with 74 points. On 20 April 2015, they parted company with coach Gerad Adams. They soon brought in Paul Thompson, former GB coach, as head coach and general manager.[11] At the end of season 2015–16 they became only the second club in the history of ice hockey to become back to back champions when they defeated the Fife Flyers on the final day of the season to take the title.

Paul Thompson left the Sheffield Steelers on 1 October 2018, citing personal reasons.[12] He was replaced as head coach by Tom Barrasso.[13] On 16 April 2019 the club announced that Aaron Fox had been appointed as head coach and general manager of the club.[14]On 8 March 2020, the Steelers won the 2019–20 Challenge Cup beating Cardiff Devils 4–3 – their first Challenge Cup title for 17 years.

On 28 October 2023, during a game against the Sheffield Steelers at Utilita Arena, Adam Johnson of the Nottingham Panthers sustained a fatal injury. The injury occurred when Johnson's neck came into contact with the skate of Steelers player Matt Petgrave. The game was halted immediately, and medical personnel from both teams, as well as medically trained spectators, rushed to assist. Players from both teams gathered around Johnson during the emergency response efforts.[15][16] South Yorkshire Police are conducting an investigation into the incident and have urged the public to avoid speculation while inquiries continue.[17]

On 13 March 2024, the Sheffield Steelers brought an end to their four year trophy drought by winning the Challenge Cup at home against the Guildford Flames 3–1, their second Challenge Cup title in the Elite League era. On 24 March 2024, the Sheffield Steelers would clinch the Elite League title for the first time since the 2015–16 EIHL season qualifying them for the 2024–25 Champions Hockey League season.

Head Coach and Captain History

Captains

Head coaches

Current squad

Squad for 2024–25 Elite League season[18]

[19][20]

Honoured members

The Steelers have retired the numbers of six players.[21] 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,[22] with Ron Shudra's number 26 retired in summer 2009. Tommy Plommer's number 11 has also been retired.

Eight people who have been associated with the Steelers have been inducted to the British Ice Hockey Hall of Fame.[23] 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, Scott Neil in 2007, and most recently, legendary players Tim Cranston and 'Rocket' Ron Shudra in December 2010.

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[24] and the Backroom Staff Hall of Fame.[25] 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

Play Off Championships

Autumn Cups

Challenge Cups

20–20 Hockeyfest Tournament

Player of the Year Trophy

Coach of the Year Trophy

The Ice Hockey Annual Trophy (Leading British points scorer)

First Team All-Star

Second Team All-Star

Grand slam winning teams

The Steelers have won the Grand Slam of all available trophies three times 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. In the 2023–24 season they won the Challenge Cup, the league championship and the playoffs. The players who played for the Steelers those seasons were:

1995–96 team

Goaltenders

Defenders

Forwards

2000–01 team

Goaltenders

Defenders

Forwards

2023–24 team

Goaltenders

Defenders

Forwards

Season-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 cap[citation needed]
‡Three points were awarded for a win in the 2000–01 season
††Five team league
†††The 2019–20 season was cancelled in March 2020, with Sheffield having played 49 games, due to the coronavirus pandemic. The above stats reflect the Steelers' position at the time of the cancellation.
††††The 2020–21 Elite League season – originally scheduled for a revised start date of 5 December – was suspended on 15 September 2020, because of ongoing coronavirus pandemic restrictions. The EIHL board determined that the season was non-viable without supporters being permitted to attend matches and unanimously agreed to a suspension.[26] The season was cancelled completely in February 2021.[27] Sheffield were later announced as one of four Elite League teams taking part in the 'Elite Series' between April–May 2021, a total of 24 games culminating in a best-of-three play-off final series.[28][29]

Club records

League titles

Cup titles

Play-off titles

Team records

Individual records

Goaltender records

References

  1. ^ Sheffield Arena (2007). "Directions to the Sheffield Arena Sheffield". sheffieldarena.co.uk. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  2. ^ "Sister Cities International". Archived from the original on 18 December 2007. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  3. ^ "REMINDER: Glasgow v Manchester THIS SUNDAY is at 4pm! – Glasgow Clan". Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  4. ^ Sheffield Steelers (2006). "1000th Game Fast Approaches". sheffieldsteelers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
  5. ^ Sheffield Steelers (2006). "Special Game Shirt for Sunday". sheffieldsteelers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
  6. ^ Sheffield Steelers (2006). "Steelers Go Down to the Bison on their 1,000th Night". sheffieldsteelers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
  7. ^ Britich Ice Hockey.co.uk (2007). "Elite Ice Hockey League – 2006/07". britishicehockey.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 May 2007. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
  8. ^ "Steelers chief sells Devils". The Sheffield Star. 2007. Archived from the original on 16 October 2007. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
  9. ^ "Eddy Leaves: The Eddy Remains". Sheffield Steelers. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  10. ^ "Thanks Cullen – The Eddy Just Gets Better and Better". Sheffield Steelers. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  11. ^ "Coach Thompson". Archived from the original on 7 March 2018.
  12. ^ "Paul Thompson Leaves the". Sheffield Steelers. 13 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  13. ^ "Steelers Confirm Tom Barrasso as Head Coach". Sheffield Steelers. 13 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  14. ^ "Aaron Fox is the Steelers New Head Coach and GM". Sheffield Steelers. 16 April 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  15. ^ "Adam Johnson: Nottingham Panthers forward dies after neck cut in Challenge Cup match". BBC Sport. 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  16. ^ "Police investigate Nottingham Panthers ice hockey player's death after throat cut by opponent's blade". The Telegraph. 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  17. ^ Hartley, Joshua (30 October 2023). "Official police statement after death of Nottingham Panthers star Adam Johnson". Nottingham Post. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  18. ^ https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/210/sheffield-steelers Sheffield Steelers at eliteprospects.com
  19. ^ "Team Roster". Sheffield Steelers. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  20. ^ "Sheffield Steelers". Eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  21. ^ Sheffield Steelers (2007). "History". sheffieldsteelers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 6 November 2007.
  22. ^ Stuart Hughes (18 December 2002). "Sheffield to honour Steelers stars". BBC Sport Online. Retrieved 6 November 2007.
  23. ^ Ice Hockey Journalists UK (2007). "Hall of Fame". ihjuk.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 6 November 2007.
  24. ^ J. P. Smith. "Players Hall Of Fame". Sheffield Steelers Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 6 November 2007.
  25. ^ J. P. Smith. "Backroom Staff Hall Of Fame". Sheffield Steelers Hall of Fame. Retrieved 6 November 2007.[permanent dead link]
  26. ^ "EIHL Board Suspend 2020–21 Season". EIHL. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  27. ^ "No Elite League Season 2020/21". EIHL. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  28. ^ "2021 Elite Series confirmed for April–May!". EIHL. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  29. ^ "Panthers win 2021 Elite Series". EIHL. Retrieved 3 May 2021.

External links