Tuesday 30 May 2017

Frozen Steel Meets The Fans: Number 2 - James Clover

Welcome to the second fan question and answer session. We ask you the hockey family a series of ten questions and you supply the answers. It's as simple as that.

So who's the second hockey fan under the microscope. Without any further ado, let's shine the spotlight on them.

Name: James Clover
Club Supported: Sheffield Steelers


1. Where did you watch your first hockey game? 

Sheffield Arena.

2. Who was your first hockey idol? 

Ryan Finnerty or Colt King are the earliest I can remember.

3. Do you have a NHL team you support? If so, who? 

Boston Bruins.

4. What's your favourite and least favourite rink? 

Love the Arena as it’s home, least favourite...yet to be decided!

5. Do you have any match day superstitions? 

Outfit, it’s always the same jeans and jacket with a Steelers shirt.

6. What's your day job outside of hockey? 

Technical Support for one the country's biggest phone and broadband suppliers.

7. Do you have any other hobbies besides hockey? 

Football, Gaming, Wrestling and Music.

8. Which place would you consider your ideal holiday destination? 

Boston, Massachusetts.

9. Name your ideal four dinner guests 

Ryan Finnerty, Colt King, Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara.

10. Including you, name your all time hockey line. You can play anywhere from goalie, D, winger or centre. 

NM: Moose, D: Zack Fitzgerald and Chara, King RW, Bergeron C, Me LW.


Some great responses there James, thanks for taking part. Who will be the third person featured. It could be YOU! Remember you don't have to be a Steelers hockey fan to take part.


Thanks for reading guys. If you want to get involved please contact us on Twitter or find us on Facebook and like us and leave a comment:-
@FrozenSteelBlog
@FrozenSteelMNL
@hockeybhoy
@Disgu15ed
Available on iTunes to listen and download, also on SoundCloud


Or Email the team at frozen.steel.91@gmail.com

Sunday 28 May 2017

From The Editor's Chair - Edition 35


In the next nine Editor's columns, I'm going to look back on what the season just ended was for the other teams. A bit of a review of the season just gone but non-Steeler related. We're gonna kick it off this week with a look back on the 2016-17 season for the Belfast Giants.


Season in summary: Even though the Giants didn't win anything, it was a better season than the 2015-16 season for the Teal Army. If it wasn't for those Devils, Giants could have easily ended up with some kind of silverware in the Odyssey boardroom. Even though the roster was pretty much the same as it has been over the last few years with veterans such as Shields, Garside and Murphy still icing, the Giants really looked like they were starting to buy into Derrick Walser. However, I think losing Jackson Whistle to injury played a crucial part into why they didn't win anything as when he played - the son of Dave - looked a future starting netminder for years to come for club and GB.

Performance of the Season: It has the double road win in late January where Giants literally killed off the Steelers title challenge with a 5-2 triumph (they led 5-0 at one stage) on the Saturday and a more tense 5-4 win 24 hours later. 

Low point of the season: One of the losses which stands out is the 9-5 road loss in Fife where Giants had done superbly to erase a 4-1 to lead 5-4 inside the first two minutes of the final period. However the wheels fell off again that evening, as Fife scored five unanswered of their own to win a crazy hockey game.

Player of the Season: Signed initially as the team's secondary enforcer after Matt Nickerson, Blair Riley certainly excelled in his first season in teal.  The Kamloops native led the team in scoring as a right wing power forward, notching 28 goals and assists for 56 points in 52 EIHL games. He also added 7 more goals and 11 assists for 18 points in the Challenge Cup and Play-Offs. Riley will be back next season as he completes his second year of study in the Northern Irish capital. Certainly one to keep a close eye upon.

Anything else? The 2017-18 season will see Giants under new stewardship off ice. Gone is Derrick Walser for pastures yet unknown after two seasons. The new coach isn't exactly a new face to the Teal Army; as popular captain Adam Keefe swaps his skates for a suit behind the bench. The Brampton native, who had worn the "C" for the last five seasons, now becomes the tenth coach in the Giants history. He's said he'll lace them up again though, but it will have to be an injury crisis for that to happen. Good luck Keefer...


Next edition, we review the Braehead Clan.


Thanks for reading guys. If you want to get involved please contact us on Twitter or find us on Facebook and like us and leave a comment:-
@FrozenSteelBlog
@FrozenSteelMNL
@hockeybhoy
@Disgu15ed
Available on iTunes to listen and download, also on SoundCloud


Or Email the team at frozen.steel.91@gmail.com

EIHL Rosters 2017-18: Ins and Outs (as of 28 May 2017)


It's Sunday and time again to have your regular update on how the 12 Elite League sides are building for the new season. For those who have been asleep for a few months, the Elite League is now 12 club strong not 10 as both Guildford and Milton Keynes are joining this season. If you didn't know, where have you been hiding?

There won't be an update next Sunday as I'm away back in Down for a family christening but I'll try and do the update in the week after that. Anyway here's how the teams stack up so far.

Belfast Giants:
Head Coach: Adam Keefe (promoted from player)
In: Blair RileyJim Vandermeer, Steve Saviano
Out: James Desmarais, Michael Forney, Derrick Walser (PC)

Braehead Clan:
Head Coach: 
In: Bari McKenzie, Craig Peacock, Jordan Buesa, Matt Haywood, Zach Sullivan, Josh Grieveson (Dundee)
Out: Matt Keith, Ryan Finnerty (HC - Manchester), Michal Zajkowski (Ornskoldsvik HF), Corey Cowick (Epinal), Jay Rosehill (Manchester), Alex Leavitt (Retired)

Cardiff Devils:
Player-Coach: Andrew Lord
In: Ben Bowns, Joey Haddad, Joey Martin, Mark Richardson, Craig Moore (Dundee)
Out: Guillaume Doucet (Milton Keynes)

Coventry Blaze:
Head Coach: Danny Stewart
In: David Clements, Jordan Pietrus, Kevin Noble, Ross Venus, Dax Lauwers (Alaska Aces), Luke Ferrara (Sheffield), Ryan Dingle (Fife)
Out: Barry Almeida, Brian Stewart, Garrett Klotz, Jim Jorgensen, Josh Godfrey, Marc Cantin, Matt Marquardt, Shawn Boutin, TJ Syner, Ben Davies (Guildford), Robin Bergman (Rungsted Seier Capital), Russ Cowley (Retired)

Dundee Stars:
Head Coach: Marc LeFebvre
In: Ben Edmonds, Cameron McGiffin, Craig Holland, Joey De Concilys, Adam Harding (Manchester), Jordan Cownie (Milton Keynes), Malcolm Gould (Strasbourg)
Out: Justin Faryna, Craig Moore (Cardiff), Josh Grieveson (Braehead), Scott Brannon (Caen)

Edinburgh Capitals: 
Head Coach: 
In: Jay King, Jordan Marr, Michael D'Orazio, Taylor MacDougall, Tyler Plews
Out: Michal Dobron (Brest)

Fife Flyers:
Head Coach: Todd Dutiaume
In: 
Out: Philippe Paquet (Rouen), Ryan Dingle (Coventry), Shane Owen (BIK Karlskoga)

Guildford Flames:
Head Coach: Paul Dixon
In: Kevin Phillips, Ben Davies (Coventry), Ian Watters (Reading Royals), Mike Ratchuk (Sheffield), Tomas Nechala (Amiens)
Out: Jens Eriksson (Villard-De-Lans), Marek Maslonka (HK SKP Poprad), Danny Meyers (Retired)

Manchester Storm:
Head Coach: Ryan Finnerty (Braehead)
In: Jay Rosehill (Braehead)
Out: Adam Harding (Dundee), Mark Heatley (Heilbronner Falken)

Milton Keynes Lightning:
Head Coach: Peter Russell
In: Edward Knaggs, Glenn Billing, James Griffin, Jordan Hedley, Lewis Hook, Luc Johnson, Przemyslaw Odrobny, Guillaume Doucet (Cardiff), Kevin King (GAP Rapaces), Kyle Essery (GAP Rapaces)
Out: Adam Carr, Antti Holli, Craig Scott, Frantisek Bakrlik, James Neil, Leigh Jamieson, Lewis Christie, Michael Farn, Milan Baranyk, Jordan Cownie (Dundee), Mikojal Lopuski (GKS Katowice), Tom Carlon (Milton Keynes Thunder), Blaz  Emersic (Retired)

Nottingham Panthers:
Head Coach: Corey Neilson
In: Dan Spang, David Clarke, Jeff Brown, Oliver Betteridge, Robert Farmer, Robert Lachowicz, Stephen Lee, Eduard Zakharchenko (HK Kremenchuk), Jordan Kelsall (Okanagan Hockey Academy U18), Josh Tetlow (Bracknell), Sam Gospel (Telford)
Out: Chris Lawrence, Miika Wiikman, Alex Nikiforuk (Epinal), Matt Carter (Epinal), Brad Moran (Retired), Dan Green (Retired)

Sheffield Steelers:
Head Coach: Paul Thompson
In: Ben O'Connor, Cole Shudra, Colton Fretter, David Phillips, Ervins Mustukovs, John Armstrong, Jonathan Phillips, Levi Nelson, Liam Kirk, Mathieu Roy, Robert Dowd, Zack Fitzgerald, Jonas Westerling (Sodertajle SK), Mark Matheson (Rouen), Tim Wallace (Alaska Aces)
Out: Geoff Walker (Fehervar AV19), Luke Ferrara (Coventry), Mike Ratchuk (Guildford), Anders Franzon (Retired), Guillaume Desbiens (Retired)

Thanks for reading guys. If you want to get involved please contact us on Twitter or find us on Facebook and like us and leave a comment:-
@FrozenSteelBlog
@FrozenSteelMNL
@hockeybhoy
@Disgu15ed
Available on iTunes to listen and download, also on SoundCloud


Or Email the team at frozen.steel.91@gmail.com

Wednesday 24 May 2017

Frozen Steel Meets The Fans: Number 1 - Chris Devlin

Welcome to a new occasional feature to Frozen Steel Blog. We're going to talk to you the fans in a kind mini question and answer session and give you the chance to appear on the Blog. Not just Steelers fans, we're going to feature fans from around the Elite League hopefully.

If you're interested in taking part, then get in contact with us at the usual methods shown at the bottom of this article. We welcome all fans, regardless. Without further ado, let's introduce our inaugural interviewee.

Name: Chris Devlin
Club Supported: Braehead Clan

1.

1.    Where did you watch your first hockey game?
  
I watched my first hockey game in Paisley. Paisley played their first home match in the SNL  and won the match at a canter.

2.    Who was your first hockey idol?

Big Bad John Kidd. Hugely underrated player who scored points and never lost a fight.

3.    Do you have a NHL team you support? If so, who?

Calgary Flames. In sport I always support the underdog. I took to the Flames early on and I am a very loyal sports fan so I will never change.   

4.    What's your favourite and least favourite rink?

The Motorpoint Nottingham is my favourite. Not just cause of the rink/arena but the surrounding facilities available within a short walking distance.

Fife Ice Arena is my least favourite. I have been swore at many times and after Paisley Pirates won the Scottish Cup in the mid/late 90’s up there I was challenged to a fight by a Fife guy in his 50’s at the bar. I was only a teenager myself I think!

5.    Do you have any match day superstitions?

I used to head towards the right hand side ticket collector at Braehead as I thought it brought us luck but in all honesty that is a load of rubbish so nothing apart from that.  

6.    What's your day job outside of hockey?

I am a business development manager for a large communications company.

7.    Do you have any other hobbies besides hockey?

I am a sports fan in general. I have a season ticket watching Soccerball for St. Mirren Football Club. Socialise with friends, pubs, restaurants.

8.    Which place would you consider your ideal holiday destination?

New York as you have so many different teams who are not too far apart who you can see on any given day.

9.    Name your ideal four dinner guests.

Rachel Weisz
Estelle Skornik
Lorraine Pascale
Emma Willis

10.  Including you, name your all time hockey line. You can play anywhere from goalie, D, winger or centre.

G – Bill Morrison
D – Doug Marsden
D – Tim Wedderburn
F – Alex Koulekov
F – Chris Devlin
F- Jade Galbraith

Warm thanks to Chris for taking part from all at Frozen Steel.


Thanks for reading guys. If you want to get involved please contact us on Twitter or find us on Facebook and like us and leave a comment:-
@FrozenSteelBlog
@FrozenSteelMNL
@hockeybhoy
@Disgu15ed
Available on iTunes to listen and download, also on SoundCloud


Or Email the team at frozen.steel.91@gmail.com

20 Things that you may or may not know: Featuring FSB Editor Mark


Welcome to a quirky little article that I've decided to throw in during the off-season. I present to you dear FSB readers, 20 things that you might or might not know about me. Yes that's my ugly mush pictured above at the top of this piece...

The article will probably get not as many views as a normal article, but it is - as I state at the start: quirky. 


20 Things about FSB Editor Mark

1.  I should have been called Marc but Dad spelt it incorrectly on my birth certificate. I was to be named after Marc Bolan, the lead singer of T-Rex, whom I was told Mam quite liked...

2. I was born four days late on Hallowe'en 1971. Guess this explains why I can be a bit stubborn then.

3.  Within hours of being born, I marked my arrival into the world by p*ssing over the nurse.  Nothing like making an instant impact, eh?

4.  I went to my first hockey game at the tender age of 8 when I literally begged my family to let me go on the school trip to it. Never looked back since..

5.  I started to take an interest in the NHL a few months later watching the Oilers and being mesmerised by "The Great One" (Mr G). Both him and Pittsburgh's Mario Lemieux seemed like gods.

6.  My NHL team is New Jersey Devils, and I've supported them since 1991. Martin Brodeur became my hero and I admit I would wear 30 on my back if I was a goalie.

7.  Now if I was an outskater, I'd go for 4 if playing D after the wrecking ball that was Scott Stevens and 68 or 71 if a forward. 68 because of Jaromir Jagr and 71 after the year I was born.

8.  At school I was a more decent rugby player actually. Used to playing hard contact games eh? I captained my school for a couple of years until...

9.  I've got no cartilages in my knees after a freak rugby training session accident at 15. I had to have major surgery on them and repair my Achilles which was shredded in the same incident.

10. I've had numerous nicknames in the past from Prof (after my geeky looks) to Aardvark. I'm now known as either Basil (after Basil Brush) or Mad Dog. Just look my initials and you'll see why the latter sticks.

11.  I am a bit of a sports fanatic and will watch most sports. However, one sport I never watch is tennis (not even for some of the pretty ladies). Each to their own I suppose..

12.   Up to the age of 26 I had long hair, which kinda tells you what sort of music I like. Then I noticed I was going thin on top, next thing out came the clippers and I shaved it off. I miss the long hair look.

13.  My musical taste is usually rock and metal. Favourite current band is Alter Bridge, closely followed by Shinedown. You should see my music collection, it's pretty large...

14.   If I had to be stranded on a desert island with someone I don't know, it would have to be with Rachel Hunter (Liam Stewart's Mam). Just think of her in the "Stacy's Mom" video...

15.  Picking four dinner guests (alive or not) would probably read the afore mentioned Ms Hunter, Martin Brodeur and Henrik Larsson. Nice mix of people; wouldn't you say?

16.   One food I could eat all the time would be pasta or anything pasta orientated. I am addtionally quite partial to a decent steak and also will happily consume a Chinese, Indian or Italian dish if need be.

17.   Favourite drink has to be either a decent hand pulled real ale or any continental beer such as Budvar. If I am sticking to soft drinks, I quite like a nice cold glass of ginger beer..blame Nan for that!

18.  So what's my favourite movie? I like action movies, thrillers, horror, sci-fi or a good comedy to be honest. But if I had to pick one it's the best fictional disaster movie going: "The Towering Inferno" which starred Paul Newman and Steve McQueen.

19.  Favourite hockey rink outside Sheffield? Now that's a tough call. I'll probably go with the "O" in Belfast because it has Rockies so close by. Coming close are Braehead and the Kinnarps in Jonkoping, Sweden. Least favourite? Never liked the BBT at all.

20.   My favourite holiday destination has to be New Zealand, I could honestly live there. Mind you, I wouldn't mind waking up on Xmas Day and spending it on Bondi Beach in Oz. Closer to home it's the County Down countryside or my native North East.


Thanks for reading guys. If you want to get involved please contact us on Twitter or find us on Facebook and like us and leave a comment:-
@FrozenSteelBlog
@FrozenSteelMNL
@hockeybhoy
@Disgu15ed
Available on iTunes to listen and download, also on SoundCloud


Or Email the team at frozen.steel.91@gmail.com

Sunday 21 May 2017

EIHL Rosters 2017-18: Ins and Outs (as of 21 May 2017)


Hello again everyone, time once more for the latest update on the Elite League rosters for 2017-18. It's been quite a busy week as the 12 clubs have seen either players coming in, whether it be a re-signing or new face, or seeing someone go through the exit door.

Time then to crack on, and show you how the rosters are taking shape. Playing imports to be here on to be denoted in bold type face.

Belfast Giants:
Head Coach: Adam Keefe (promoted from player)
In: Jim Vandermeer, Blair Riley, Steve Saviano
Out: James Desmarais, Michael Forney, Derrick Walser (PC)

Braehead Clan:
Head Coach: 
In: Zach Sullivan, Matt Haywood, Bari McKenzie, Craig Peacock
Out: Matt Keith, Ryan Finnerty (HC), Michal Zajkowski (Ornskoldsvik HF), Alex Leavitt (Retired)

Cardiff Devils:
Player-Coach: Andrew Lord
In: Joey Haddad, Joey Martin, Mark Richardson, Craig Moore (Dundee)
Out: Guillaume Doucet (Milton Keynes)

Coventry Blaze:
Head Coach: Danny Stewart
In: David Clements, Kevin NobleJordan Pietrus, Ross Venus, Ryan Dingle (Fife), Luke Ferrara (Sheffield), Dax Lauwers (Alaska Aces)
Out: Jim Jorgensen, Josh Godfrey, Brian Stewart, Matt Marquardt, Marc Cantin, TJ Syner, Barry Almeida, Shawn Boutin, Garrett Klotz, Ben Davies (Guildford), Robin Bergman (Rungsted Seier Capital), Russ Cowley (Retired)

Dundee Stars:
Head Coach: Marc LeFebvre
In: Cameron McGiffin, Craig Holland, Joey De Concilys, Adam Harding (Manchester), Jordan Cownie (Milton Keynes)
Out: Justin Faryna, Craig Moore (Cardiff), Scott Brannon (Caen)

Edinburgh Capitals: 
Head Coach:
In: Jay King, Jordan Marr, Tyler Plews, Michael D'Orazio, Taylor MacDougall
Out: Michal Dobron (Brest)

Fife Flyers:
Head Coach: Todd Dutiaume
In:
Out: Ryan Dingle (Coventry), Shane Owen (BIK Karlskoga)

Guildford Flames:
Head Coach: Paul Dixon
In: Kevin Phillips, Ben Davies (Coventry), Mike Ratchuk (Sheffield), Tomas Nechala (Amiens)
Out: Danny Meyers (Retired)

Manchester Storm:
Head Coach:
In: 
Out: Adam Harding (Dundee), Mark Heatley (Heilbronner Falken)

Milton Keynes Lightning:
Head Coach: Peter Russell
In: Jordan Hedley, Lewis Hook, Przemyslaw Odrobny, Guillaume Doucet (Cardiff), Kevin King (GAP Rapaces)
Out: Adam Carr, Craig Scott, James Neil, Leigh Jamieson, Lewis Christie, Michael Farn, Antti Holli, Frantisek Bakrlik, Milan Baranyk, Jordan Cownie (Dundee), Mikojal Lopuski (GKS Katowice), Blaz Emersic (Retired), Tom Carlon (Retired)

Nottingham Panthers: 
Head Coach: Corey Neilson
In: Dan Spang, Jeff Brown, Robert Farmer, Robert Lachowicz, Jordan Kelsall (Okanagan Hockey Academy U18). Josh Tetlow (Bracknell), Sam Gospel (Telford), Eduard Zakharchenko (HK Kremenchuk)
Out: Chris Lawrence, Miika Wiikman, Alex Nikiforuk (Epinal), Matt Carter (Epinal), Brad Moran (Retired), Dan Green (Retired)

Sheffield Steelers:
Head Coach: Paul Thompson
In: Ben O'Connor, Cole Shudra, Colton Fretter, David Phillips, Ervins Mustukovs, Guillaume Desbiens, John Armstrong, Jonathan Phillips, Levi Nelson, Liam Kirk, Mathieu Roy, Robert Dowd, Zack Fitzgerald
Out: Geoff Walker (Fehervar Av19), Luke Ferrara (Coventry), Mike Ratchuk (Guildford), Anders Franzon (Retired)


Well that's it for now, another update next week when there are bound to be more moves taking place.


Thanks for reading guys. If you want to get involved please contact us on Twitter or find us on Facebook and like us and leave a comment:-
@FrozenSteelBlog
@FrozenSteelMNL
@hockeybhoy
@Disgu15ed
Available on iTunes to listen and download, also on SoundCloud


Or Email the team at frozen.steel.91@gmail.com

Sunday 14 May 2017

From The Editor's Chair - Edition 34


Welcome once more to my column which I've decided to keep going in the off season. This particular edition sees me finish my reflections on Belfast 2017 which I attended, the Stanley Cup play-offs in the NHL and finish off by some personal thoughts on the rosters; as they are at the moment; in the Elite League.

All in all, it's a right mixed bag of a column. So what are waiting for; let's start to talk some hockey.

As you know, or not, I went to Belfast last month to watch the Division 1B World Championships featuring Great Britain and no less than four Steelers players (Dowdy, Ben, Jonna and Davey) involved. As I said in my last column, a lot of people were moaning about the size of the crowds since they were seeing loads of gaps in the Odyssey bowl when watching coverage. What they don't realise that someone did a stat, and the average crowds in Belfast were actually higher than they were for the previous two similar tournaments in Eindhoven and Zagreb. So take that as a positive.

Watching GB is an experience, you have to buy into it from the start and once you do then you start to get engrossed into it. I really found this out. You had fans from all around GB buying in as one to be that extra player on the ice for Peter Russell's men, these even included fans from Billog (Bilingham) coming to support their local boy...Dowdy! GB seemed to feed off everyone's energy, especially when it became we were on the verge of something special. The gold medal game was something else as the team produced their absolute A-game to defeat, and shut-out, Japan 4-0. For Russ Cowley, it was the perfect way to hang up his skates.

Now GB must wait to find out who will join them in Division 1A next year. Already confirmed are Kazakhstan, Poland and Hungary  with the bottom two of the Elite Group yet to be decided. Whoever GB face next year promises to be another huge test but anything is possible given what happened at Belfast 2017. I made so many new friends as well, so a special shout outs to Pete and Ricky, Andy and Shona. I was grateful to my girl Gill and her family who took me all the way from their home in Down into Belfast every matchday; that's 18 miles just one way; and picked me up after the day's games had concluded...even letting me staying in Rockies for an hour extra after the final match finished.

I'm putting this piece together before game two of the Western Conference Final starts in the final race for Lord Stanley. For the fifth season in a row, I'm watching this as a neutral after a horrific season for New Jersey - we did end up with the number one draft pick somehow in the lottery. But what's surprised me is that how well some of the lesser lights have done. None more so than Nashville Predators. For a team that finished 16th out of 16 in the play off position, they've dumped out the 'Hawks and Blues and as of game two tonight: lead the much more fancied Ducks. Can they create history? Daft though some might think, it's possible.

The same can be actually said for the Eastern Conference too; where Ottawa are proving to be the surprise packet. They've dumped out Boston and the Rangers which is no mean feat in itself, and have taken game one against the Biscuits (Penguins, get the joke?) and in the Consol as well. I'm still fully expecting Crosby and Co. to bounce back and take the series and make the Final but if the Sens keep on believing in themselves then they could make their second successive Stanley Cup Final. Ironically, they lost that in five games to the Ducks so a repeat of the 2007 combatants could happen. I'll be glued as ever to watch it all unfold whilst hoping next season brings Devils more luck.

Finally let's see what we think of the rosters so far; four weeks after the season finished with that dramatic double overtime win. Steelers have been the busiest of everyone, re-signing a large core and just require four forwards (three centres and a winger) and some blueliners to finish it off as I'm still expecting Brad to back up Moose. Belfast and Braehead still haven't announced their new coaches, even though it's looking increasingly likely that Adam Keefe is going to be the new player-coach for the latter which would be an ultra smart decision in my eyes when you have a brother who is an AHL standard coach across the pond and has probably more contacts than I can fit in my mobile address book.

There's also been a right shake up within the Blaze ranks too; with lots and lots of departures through the Sky Dome doors. I'm really shocked that they didn't retain the two cousins (Syner and Almeida) and allowed them to go back to North America. If I was the much under-fire Danny Stewart I would have tried to make them an offer they couldn't refuse to return. Brian Stewart's also left which means, unless someone else signs him, those teddy tantrums are going to be missed by us all. Liam, son of Sir Rodney and Rachel, hasn't yet re-signed either. The guy is one of the best penalty killers around and so, so dangerous when his team is shorthanded...just ask Braehead as LS got a couple of "shorties" in one game against them. Bet that hacked off Finner big time.

Our nearest and dearest are in the middle of a rebuild too knowing full well that last season was, bar that sandwich tray triumph, a huge disappointment. Corey knows he needs to improve otherwise he could be looking over his shoulder. They've retained Dan Spang, the pantomime villain Jeff Brown and a new deal for the meerkat Robert Farmer. Whilst I can agree in the sense that Farmer is definitely a nuisance player, the press release which said "he can fight" made me chuckle. I recall Nick Duff really giving him a pasting in Coventry a few seasons back and that was brutal. Imagine what Fitzy would do if Farmer chanced his luck with him. Doesn't bear thinking about does it? They've also brought Sam Gospel "home" after a couple of seasons with Telford and in Jordan Kelsall a very good young prospect who impressed me in the U18 nationals final at Ice Sheffield yesterday. Quite how much ice time he and Gospel get is down to Neilson but in the former; he really needs to make use of it. 

Elsewhere there's not been much to talk about bar Cardiff's capture of Craig Moore (no, not the former Rangers and Newcastle central defender) from Dundee which is a decent pick up, Ben Davies moving to newcomers Guildford on the latest stop of his nomadic existence, and Ryan Dingle swapping Kirkcaldy for Coventry which some have said says a lot about how much respect he has for Danny Stewart as opposed to dear old Todd. Whilst Dingle has a good points and scoring record, part of me harks back to Jeremie Tendler who had similar but was an absolute flop in Coventry after leaving Hull. It might be deja-vu with Dingle, you never know. Players will come and go as always with teams that's why it kind of makes me shake my head when you see comments from people saying things like: "Terrible decision by Coach A to let Player B leave. He's gonna regret this." - every decision whether it be a re-signing or a release isn't going to please everyone out there and happens for a reason. 

Finally I'm getting ready for my 26th season as a Steelers fan, and 38th overall as a hockey fan. Who would have thought this would be happening after the then fresh faced eight year old me literally begged his family to let him go onto that school trip to Billingham Ice Arena. It's been part of me for the long, more than half of my life has been as a Steeler. What a frightening thought that is. However it could have been different this season as I could have been found in the O most nights if I'd gotten the new job I went for. Even if I had, I'd still be probably running this blog, appearing on the podcast and bleeding orange...teal isn't going to take me over - yet!

Well that concludes this quite lengthy article, thanks for staying around to the end if you've made this far. I'll be back again soon, not sure exactly when, with more off season thoughts. Until then, I'll bid you all a pleasant adieu.


Thanks for reading guys. If you want to get involved please contact us on Twitter or find us on Facebook and like us and leave a comment:-
@FrozenSteelBlog
@FrozenSteelMNL
@hockeybhoy
@Disgu15ed
Available on iTunes to listen and download, also on SoundCloud


Or Email the team at frozen.steel.91@gmail.com