From The Editor's Chair - Edition 26

I've talked about a lot of things in my weekly column. We've had an account about my trip to Jönköping, my top three Steelers netminders and end of season title predictions to name just three topics over the last 25 weeks. Now I'm going to bring up a subject which is really going to get you thinking.

This week, we're going to talk about retired shirt numbers.

As you know, Steelers have retired six shirt numbers:

4 - Tim Cranston

7 - Ronnie Wood

9 - Ken Priestlay

11 - Tommy Plommer

16 - Tony Hand

26 - Ron Shudra

So who should receive the honour next if the Club decides to retire another jersey? I'll give you four possible candidates in my books. Some of you will think yeah, that's a good shout, and some of you will think I'm wrong. But that's why we love to have our own opinions. Here's my shortlist of four:

Jason Hewitt (17) - "The British Bulldog" came to Sheffield as a raw 22 year old from Basingstoke Bison in 2005 whom he had joined after the demise of the London Racers. Ten full seasons later, Hewitt left after a club record 682 appearances and also a club record 1107 penalty minutes. His never say die attitude was a trademark of his game, and he never backed down from anyone. A player who always played with his heart on his sleeve.

Rod Sarich (19) - One of the best modern day imports the club has had. His points production for a defenceman in the Elite League years is something will probably never be beaten. He started off as an offensive d-man, and after bouncing back from an almost career ending injury plus being cast adrift under Doug Christiansen, he became one of the most dependable men on the blue line. Now, at the time of writing, he's back albeit as injury cover. Surely he deserves the 19 retiring or at least a testimonial game?

Jonathan Phillips (20) - The most decorated Steelers captain for a long, long time. Not the most vocal of skippers, he just demands respect just by presence. Whilst Jonna doesn't put up massive points night by night, season by season, it's his work ethic that is second to none. Quietly going about his business night by night, Jonna always gives 100 per cent and is a coach's dream. He's said that we are the club where he finish his career, not back in Cardiff, and his testimonial was so richly deserved for a club stalwart: just like Thommo and Hewy the years previous.

Joey Talbot (36) - Now this is a controversial choice of my own. Joey was in my eyes the sniper supreme and with Jeff Legue, was a potent weapon in the four years he was at the Club. He always seemed to be in the right place at the right time to score you a goal. In those four years, Joey scored 159 goals and 321 points overall in just 265 games. That's absolutely mental. Just goes to think what he might have achieved if he played and retired at the same time as sidekick Legue. Yeah; he would have hit at 250 goals I'm convinced...at least! I was also honoured to sponsor his home jersey in his final season.


Yeah you might agree with the four, you might agree with one or two, you might not agree at all. But as always I respect everyone else's thoughts and opinions. Let me know who you reckon should have their number hoisted to the rafters next. It's bound to happen sometime.  

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