Woolhouse extends his Steelers stay for another season

Geoff Woolhouse has signed a new one year contract with Sheffield Steelers to make it a fourth season with the club.

Woolhouse joined the Steelers in time for the league championship winning season in 2010-11, and is widely regarded as one of the best back-up goalies in the Elite League.

In 2011-12, he started 9 games with an incredible 96.8% saves percentage earning him a call up to the senior GB squad under new Steelers coach Doug Christiansen. Woolhouse had just six starts last season behind John DeCaro with a goals against average of just 2.67.

Head coach Doug Christiansen spoke of Woolhouse’s decision to stay with the side: “I expect Geoff to play a large role in our quest for silverware. Having worked with Geoff with the National Team, I know how hard he works and how he prepares every day. His record the last two seasons shows his importance to the club. With Geoff on the Steelers, we know that we can give our starting goalie adequate rest while maintaining a high level of performance.”

Geoff Woolhouse said: “I’m really happy to have signed for a fourth season and be part of the new squad Doug is assembling.

“It’s exciting times for the club and as a lad born in Sheffield, I’m glad that I can be part of, and play a role for, a team looking for silverware across the board. There was nowhere else I considered or wanted to be other than playing for the team that got me interested in the sport over 20 years ago. The club knows it is overdue championships and the management are making the signings to rectify that.

“I have loved being a Steeler for the past 3 years and was happy to hear that Doug wanted me in his team for the forthcoming season. It’s my home and my life is here and to be able to have a role for your local team that is striving for success is what any professional would kill for,” Woolhouse rounded off by saying.