This Month In Steelers History: July 2014

We haven't got the broad history of some of the Scottish teams, or the long-drawn-out history of our nearest and dearest, but the Sheffield Steelers have been going 23 years now, and having only been watching myself for 6, we were keen to offer history lessons.

So please welcome to the fore Mr Robert Newbolt, whose website http://steelers-stats.co.uk/ is a veritable haven of numbers since the Steelers' inception back in 1991. He, today, gives us a brief glimpse back into the history books, in what will hopefully be a long-running feature.

20 Years Ago (1994)

The Steelers reluctantly coughed up a fine of £5,000, which ice hockey bosses ordered them to pay for alleged wage-cap busting. The club decided it had reached the stage where it was not worth the cost of going back through the courts to challenge the decision. A club official was quoted as saying:

"no one has ever proved we broke the wagecap level and the owner George Dodds is furious that justice has not been done."

The Steelers signed defenceman Mike O'Connor, and Rob Wilson. However, the club hit a stumbling block at their bid reach a deal with Scott Neil. We also lost out in the race to sign "wonderkid" Ashley Tait from Nottingham Panthers.

15 Years Ago (1999)

Steelers legend Tony Hand was offered one of the biggest contracts in Steelers history to stay in Sheffield, but the best-ever British-born ice hockey player walked away from a deal worth a whopping £140,000 over three years to return to his native Scotland.

Steelers succeeded in capturing flying winger Jason Weaver from Nottingham Panthers, Shayne McCosh from Bracknell Bees, Kip Noble from Cardiff Devils, and Dan Ceman from the Hampton Roads Admirals, but 'Rocket' Ron Shudra is not re-signed by coach Don McKee.

10 Years Ago (2004)

Mike Blaisdell quit the Steelers for the love of his children. Speaking from his home in Canada, the ex-Sheffield coach said illness affecting his first wife had been the deciding factor on staying in his native country. Father of four Blaisdell, has two daughters from his first marriage and needed to be more involved in child care.

5 Years Ago (2009)

(From May)

Ice Hockey legend Ron Shudra signalled the end of an era by quitting as player coach of Sheffield Scimitars after just one season in charge. The former NHL star, Steelers best loved ex player, instead chose to coach his son and teammates in the junior ranks at under-12s.

You can find Rob on Twitter @Steelersstats. Look out for more of these in the coming months.