From The Editor's Chair - Edition 27

I'm possibly going to look into doing a couple of editions this week. One will be this particular and the other one, which I might launch Thursday or Friday, will be about the run-in for the title. However, I might change my mind about the latter depending how tonight pans out. Watch this space anyway..

For this edition, I'm going to broach another interesting subject...clutch players!

So define the epitome that is a clutch player? This is a player whom clubs could rely upon for timely scoring or basically being in the right place at the right time when his club has needed him. Every team has one from time to time, and you could consider the following as examples:

Belfast - Colin Shields

Braehead - Scott Pitt, Matt Keith

Cardiff - Joey Martin

Coventry - Ashley Tait (first spell), Dan Carlson, Adam Calder

Dundee - Vinny Scarsella

Edinburgh - Pavel Voryobev

Fife - Ryan Dingle

Manchester - Patrik Valcak

Panthers - David Alexandrè Beauregard, David Clarke, Craig Kowalski

The list could go on....

Here at Sheffield, we've had a few too. I've picked out four players from the EIHL era whom I consider are easily defined as they were "clutch". We've had others too such as Ken "The Messiah" Priestlay, "Turbo" Tim Cranston, "Storming" Steve Nemeth and "Rocket" Ron for the veteran supporters amongst us. But see what you think of these selections:

 Mark Dutiaume 

"Magical" Mark as he was nicknamed; played for us for five, well four and a half if you want to be pedantic, seasons between 2001-2006 which actually straddles the ISL and EIHL years. The Winnipeg born native was taken second round, 42nd overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1995 NHL Draft ahead of Michal Handzuš (who won Lord Stanley in 2013), future Steelers team-mate Kevin Bolibruck, and NHL goaltenders Chris Mason and Miikka Kiprusoff. 

Whilst he never suited up for the Sabres, Dutes joined us in late 2011 after scoring 47 points in just 30 games for Fife. A man for all seasons, he was a decent scorer and creator together with 95 goals and finished with 235 points in 227 games. He was handy with a penalty shot too. Mark finished his season with two seasons in Belfast before hanging the skates. And yes, he is the younger brother of current Fife head coach Todd...

Joey Talbot and Jeff Legue

The terrible twosome who in four seasons together, racked up a multitude of honours and goals. Wherever Legue was on the ice, you just knew his sidekick Talbot wouldn't be too far away. They had some serious chemistry on ice and you have to admit that just breeds confidence in your team when you have that. Both players had a knack of scoring goals when you needed them, and it was always either Legue assisted Talbot or vice-versa. 

And here's where the similarity continues. Joey left in 2011 after helping Steelers to an Elite League title and Jeff left at the end of last season again leaving with an Elite League title win. Combined, the players played in 815 games (Legue 550, Talbot 265) and had 936 points between them both; 447 of them being goals. Phenomenal. 

 Mathieu Roy

The modern day equivalent of the clutch player, "The King of Sheffield" has been an inspirational signing for the club since arriving on these shores from Florida Everblades in the summer of 2014. A 100 point first season and a still a point a game in his second, albeit injury riddled, season last year just shows how valuable he is to the franchise. He's not afraid to get into the dirty areas where some players would fear to go so he can battle for his team.

Roy has scored a number of greasy goals in his time, a lot of them when parking his arse in front of a goalie and getting the all important tip in front to divert it away and into the net. If I was a goalie, I would flipping well hate that but it's what Mathieu is an absolute exponent at. Still only 30 years old, Steelers - if they play their cards right proverbially - could see him in the House Of Steel for a few more years yet. He's been an excellent signing, now where's the new contract?

So that's four modern day clutch players. Who do you think befits this moniker? I mean it doesn't have to be a current roster star, it could be anyone from any era. Have a think and let me know, I'm open to all ears and suggestions. 

 

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