Expectations are high for Sheffield’s class of 2012/13
The rest of the Elite League had better watch out. The Steelers are back and they mean business.
Now this isn’t just my opinion. Ask any Steelers fan and you’ll get the same answer. There is without a doubt a feeling in the Steel City that this season is going to be something special. For the first time in years the talk this summer hasn’t centred on ownership or the immediate future of the club. Crippled by off-ice problems during recent campaigns, it’s fair to say that the three-time Elite League winners have lurched from crisis to crisis, under-achieving massively.
However, and under the solid stewardship of Tony Smith, the club has built on the foundations laid down last season with some impressive new additions to what was already a strong roster. The consensus at a recent fans forum was that the Steelers are going to be the team to beat this time around. In fact as each subsequent signing has been announced throughout the summer, the growing belief amongst the Broughton Lane faithful has become almost tangible. I bet if you came across any Steelers’ fans this off-season it’s quite likely that they were wearing a knowing smile, almost as though they knew something you didn’t. For you see they know what’s coming.
So how will the Steelers line up this season?
Well Head Coach Ryan Finnerty has brought back many familiar faces, starting with his goalies. In the end there were no changes to the Steelers’ netminding duo; however the surprise return of John DeCaro certainly raised a few eyebrows. In part this was due to his sometimes less than convincing performances last season, but more so due to the manner of the American’s departure half way through a two-year contract to Norwegian side Sparta Sarpsborg. But having found that the Scandinavian grass wasn’t as green as he’d perhaps thought the 29-year old opted to return for a second term. Backing up DeCaro will once again be local lad Geoff Woolhouse.
As impressive as their forward lines are, it’s on defence that the Steelers really stand out. Matt Stephenson will return for a second season and will be joined by fellow Canadian Rod Sarich. The 31-year old, now fully recovered from the potentially career ending injury he sustained last year, will be entering into his 8th season in a Steelers’ uniform, as will British D-man and veteran of over 450 Elite League games Mark Thomas. Replacing Steve Birnstill, who will be lining up north of the border for Braehead, will be the former Clan defenceman James Jorgensen. The 27-year old American had a highly impressive debut season in the Elite League in 2011/12 and will look contribute similar offensive numbers this time round.
Perhaps the most intriguing and headline grabbing signing of the summer was that of the now ex-Nottingham Panthers’ captain Danny Meyers. Whilst he admitted he was initially “gutted” to have been frozen out of the Panthers’ line-up, the 29-year old revealed at the fans forum last week that he couldn’t wait for the season to start and was relishing the opportunity to wear the teal and orange jersey of his former bitter rivals.
The final piece in Finnerty’s jigsaw and the team’s sixth defenceman was former Pittsburgh Penguins’ draft pick Drew Fata. The one-time New York Islander joined from Italian side Asiago and will provide a mixture of toughness and high-end experience to what is an already talented Steelers’ blue line.
Whilst the Steelers’ forward lines have a re-vamped look about them, there are some key returnees for 2012/13, most notably the highly prolific Jeff Legue who has amassed going on 350 Elite League points in just five seasons in Sheffield. The 31-year old Canadian will be the only returning import forward for the Steelers but he will be joined by the experienced fellow long-serving trio of Brits Ashley Tait, Jason Hewitt and Jonathan Phillips.
With his new forwards Finnerty has managed to recruit a blend of offensive threat and physicality – the latter has often been absent from recent Steelers’ sides. Providing toughness and the experience of 68 games in the NHL will be 28-year old Steve Goertzen. The Alberta native also has over 400 games in the AHL and will be a natural leader on and off the ice. With over 200 goals in a professional career spanning both sides of the Atlantic, the highly skilled 31-year old Cory Pecker will no doubt be expected to share the goal scoring duties with the likes of Legue.
Another newbie who will provide leadership will be Canadian left winger Shawn Limpright. The 31-year old playmaker will bring the experience of over 600 games in the North American minor leagues to the Steelers’ line-up. The final import on the roster will be no stranger to the Elite League having spent two successful seasons with the Cardiff Devils. Fiesty 28-year old Tylor Michel, a former team mate of Finnerty’s, will blend determination, grit and aggression with the silky skills of his new line mates.
And if that wasn’t enough, the Steelers of course already had secured the signature of another highly talented and experienced Brit before last season had ended. The 32-year old Scot, who has averaged well over a point game in the Elite League for Belfast and Newcastle, signed for the club in March from French side Morzine.
Adding to the competition for places on the top lines will be the British pair of Lee Esders and Danny Wood.
So I guess having read that it’s perhaps hard not to see why this new team has got the Steelers’ fan base salivating in expectation of the hockey feast that Finnerty has prepared. On paper this group has the potential to sweep all before them, but as we know, nothing is ever won on paper and certainly not before a puck has been dropped. So it remains to be seen if they can deliver. But if they can, look out!
