Talking hockey with Tim Larsson

On Saturday night the Steelers hosted Swedish Hockey League (SHL) side HV71 Jönköping in their first of two Champions Hockey League games. Even though the result wasn't as favourable as we wanted, the atmosphere was immense. This was mainly down to the superb support given by our Swedish visitors.

We managed to collar one of them for a quick Q&A. Here we talk some hockey with Tim Larsson, and thank Tim for his time and willingness to take part.

FSB: First of all, what was the initial reaction to when HV71 drew the Steelers in the Champions Hockey League?

Tim: For myself I loved our pics. The main thing for me with the CHL is to experience new culture and explore new cities. To be honest I thought HV would win with numbers like Frölunda last season but Steelers put up a great fight. I'm sure you're gonna rock the EIHL.

FSB: As a New Jersey Devils fan myself how good is Mattias Tedenby?

Tim:  Mattias Tedenby had a really good year last season but I still think he needs to find a more equal style in his play. Can for example be brilliant 3 games and then disappear for 2 games. A lot of people in Jönköping think he's worth the entrance fee himself.

FSB: From what you have seen Tim, what is your opinion on the Steelers team that HV71 have played?

Tim: Robert Dowd is very good in my opinion. Steelers play a really gritty game and I think Jerry Andersson's experience will be very important for you this season.

FSB: Following on from that question, which Steelers players have impressed you?

Tim: Robert Dowd again, always an offensive threat for our defense, and of course the Moose Mustukovs. I just love his old time play in the net!

FSB: How far do you think HV71 can progress in the Champions Hockey League?

Tim: Hard to tell. CHL is really dependent on your day form. Look at Vienna, they defeated Skelleftea in the first game. I'll think Salzburg will be a hard nut to crack.

FSB: And finally, is it safe for us to assume that all HV71 fans are adopted Steelers fans from now on?

Tim: Haha, absolutely! We all love Sheffield now!

All the staff at the arena is super friendly and all the Steelers fans are so warmhearted. I think we all have a place in our hearts and I think you feel the same for us. Hopefully we made a bigger impact than Frölunda! ;)

 

I think you might be right Tim, we definitely have a soft spot for HV71 as well. Hopefully this will lead to plenty of friendships made, I certainly will be looking forward to making a trip to Jönköping myself sometime soon.

You can catch Tim in the old Twitterverse on @TimpanHv71 

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Looking at our 2016-17 CHL Opponents

So we now know where the Steelers will be venturing to in the 2016-17 Champions League Group Stage. We go to Austria to lock horns with Red Bull Salzburg and another trip to Sweden, this time to face HV71 Jonkoping.

FSB now brings you a little insight into both teams:

Red Bull Salzburg 

Champions of the EBEL, which is the highest echelon of Austrian hockey. They won the league with 105 points, a clear ten points of their closest challengers Orli Znojmo. It was their second successive title and sixth overall.

They play at the 3,600 capacity Eisarena Salzburg, which was opened in 1960.

Key players for them include Canadian forward John Hughes, who has featured in each of their previous two forays into the CHL, offensive American defenceman Brian Fahey who had seven games for the Washington Capitals in 2010-11 and is a former AHL All Star. They certainly will be a team we need to be ready for. 

Last season Salzburg made the last 32 of the CHL, beaten by Norwegian side Storhamar Ishockey 6-3 over two legs. 


HV71 Jönköping 

For our second season in the Champions Hockey League, we have a trip to Sweden to face a SHL team. Last season it was Frölunda Göthenburg, who went to win the actual thing, but this time it's to face HV71 Jönköping who are based in the south of the country. They made the post season and were defeated at the quarter final stage by eventual finalists Skellefteå AIK 4-0.

Their home rink is the 7,000 capacity Kinnarps Arena which was one of the venues used for the 2002 World Championships.

Jönköping's roster predictably has a good balance of Swedes and imports. One player that stands out from the Swedish side is winger Mattias Tedenby. Tedenby was taken 24th overall in the 2008 NHL draft by the New Jersey Devils. He played 120 games for the Devils over a four year stretch, notching 30 points, before returning to HV71 where he started out in the youth teams. Also in the roster is Canadian centre Chris Abbott who captained Luleå to the inaugural CHL title in 2014-15.

Last season Jönköping were in the same group as Salzburg, and this is the third season in a row they have been paired together at the group stage. They exited at the last 16 stage, losing 4-2 to Finns Espoo Blues for whom Rod Sarich played 20 games for in 2003-04 as a 22 year old.

So that's a brief insight into this season's CHL opponents. Hope it's whetted your appetite ready for August.
 

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Five Things - Champions Hockey League

Thank you to Tony for his contribution to FSB, All Credit for this piece goes to him so any queries you can contact Tony on Twitter @DISGU15ED.

Tony returns with his first "Five Things" of the new season, this time he's talking about the Champions Hockey League. Agree with or disagree? Well let us know.

 

So after a couple of seasons of CHL action for EIHL clubs, what five things did we learn?

1. The Swedes play at a higher level: In the six games between EIHL and SHL in the CHL so far, the Swedes are 6 from 6, with 45 goals scored by the Swedes and 7 scored by the plucky Brits. Nothing to be embarrassed by, as their player budgets are over ten times more than ours, but something to consider when you next watch the SHL on Premier! Of the eight teams they entered this year, six won their group and the other two came second, even though they consistently rested some top players and played back-up net-minders. Last year the CHL final was an all Swedish affair (and their top team was knocked out in the Semi’s), so it’s fair to expect the blue and yellow Scandinavian cross to by flying high again this year.

2. The Finns aren’t far behind: We’ve seen four games against Lukko and JYP and they’ve won them all too. Goal difference is less, but they still average three more goals than we do, and by god they’ve got some big lads – did you see Jason crick his neck when he went face-to-chest with one of them at the Arena! 

3. The Germans aren’t too far ahead though: Possibly the third best league in Europe in terms of player income, and we’re 50:50 over four games – both the Clan and Panthers beat their German oppo at home. When we get the bounces we can compete, and congrats to Braehead and Nottingham for staying close enough to do exactly that.

4. Wild Card Leagues: Unfortunately for the EIHL every other wild card league did a bit better than we did, and if the Poles want to play next year, or the Danes want a second spot, I fear we might be the ones that suffer. For the record the Norwegians both won their groups, the Slovaks had one team qualify and one team get one point, the French both got 1 win each, and the Danish team won one too. Even the Belarussian qualifier from the Continental cup grabbed a win. All statistically better than one win from two teams I'm afraid.

5. Worst team in the competition? There were only two teams who scored no points in this year’s CHL. The Steelers who finished with a -16 goal difference, and EV Zug from Switzerland who finished with -12. In a small sample then stats can lie, and we were close to getting a result, but our overall league CHL ranking will probably fall in 16/17. With an easier draw we may have had different results, but the history books mark us down as dead last.


Speaking for myself, it’s been a great competition so far, and I’ve enjoyed seeing our boys compete against some of the best teams to come to Britain for many years. When Europe comes to play we found we weren’t too far behind, and if we get some ‘puck-luck’, they rest some of their top guys, and they play their back-up net-minder, then we can nip the odd point or three off them. Let’s hope that next time the EIHL teams can grab a win that matters.

One last thing: We can be proud of our attendance records, and this combined with large social media interest amongst the GB fans, might save our CHL bacon - Steelers were 12^th highest and Clan 20^th (out of 48), and above teams like Skelleftea, Munich and Prague. On the flip-side however, we might not be so proud of the one stat that the Steelers did win - that of top penalised team with 26 mins per game, and an average of almost 10 minors each game.

So what do you think?

Tony
 

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Sheffield Steelers v Frolunda Gothenburg - CHL Matchday 4 Match Report

Matchday 4 in the Champions Hockey League as the Steelers Host Frolunda.

Sheffield Steelers – 1
Levi Nelson - 2nd (PP)

Frolunda Gothenburg – 4
Elias Falth - 1st (PP), 3rd (PP)
Artturi Lehkonen - 3rd
Ryan Lasch - 3rd

The Biggest team in European hockey came to town and Sheffield gave them more than a game. Frolunda were gifted with a power play opportunity when Mathieu Roy was called 2+2 for high sticks but after watching it back shouldn't have been given and even at the time we all knew it shouldn't have been given. Frolunda made it count at 16:35 when Elias Falth fired a slap shot that beat Tyler Plante down low to give the visitors a 1-0 lead which they then took into the 1st interval too.

Real end to end stuff with penalties getting called left right from centre but both teams just got on with it. Sheffield managed to level the game with just over 4 minutes left in the period and on the man advantage when Jeff Legue was able to throw the puck in front of goal to find Levi Nelson all alone and re-directed past Lars Johansson to make it a 1-1 hockey game at 35:50 and erupt the Sheffield Arena. The home faithful was more than happy going into the second break all tied up against one of the top teams in Europe.

1-1 going into the third period and all to play for with just 20 minutes left but the home side just couldn't find a way through despite having chance after chance. Frolunda took the lead again at 45:01 when Artturi Lehkonen shot went through the legs of Plante for a 2-1 lead. The visitors made it 3-1 at 50:22 when O'Connor couldn't get hold of the puck to get it cleared out the zone and Ryan Lasch capitalized as he picked up the puck turned and shot past Tyler Plante. Frolunda finished of the scoring at 58:26 when straight off the draw on the man advantage Elias Falth scored his second of the night when he fired a slap shot that beat Plante through traffic and it was Frolunda who won the game 4-1 taking home all 3 points and toping the group with maximum points.

FINAL SCORE: Sheffield Steelers 1-4 Frolunda Gothenburg

Fantastic experience to be in the Champions Hockey League, some fantastic games to watch and really hope were in it again next year and you never know we might get a bit of an easier group. Steelers return to domestic action on Sunday when they travel to Cardiff to take on the Devils in the Challenge Cup.

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Sheffield Steelers v JYP Jyvaskyla - CHL Matchday 3 Match Report

Matchday 3 in the Champions Hockey League as the Steelers Host Jyvaskyla.

Sheffield Steelers – 2
Robert Dowd - 1st (PP)
Mathieu Roy - 2nd (PP)

JYP Jyvaskyla - 4
Joonas Nattinen - 2nd
Valtteri Hotakainen - 2nd
Joose Antonen - 3rd (PP)
Janne Tavi - 3rd (EN)

Steelers came into this home game against Jyvaskyla knowing that if they wanted to make the playoff round of the CHL they'd have to find a win in regulation against the Finnish side. What a performance it was by the home side and Jyvaskyla didn't know what hit them and the Sheffield Arena crowd was right behind there team. Steelers rightfully took the lead at 15:52 while on the man advantage when Robert Dowd snapped a one timer finish past Veini Vehvilainen after a nice backhanded past by Levi Nelson on the boards and Sheffield led 1-0 and the home crowd erupted. It could have very easily been 3-0 at the end of the 1st after Rod Sarich tried to find Hewitt on a 2 on 1 break but was denied by Vehvilainen. Then Fretter with the 1 on 1 and saw his backhanded effort hit the netminders then the post and bounce on the line before getting cleared, some very impressive play on show by the home side who led 1-0 at the end of the 1st.

The visitors seemed to have been given a few harsh words in the break as they come out and got into the Steelers face a bit more but both teams continued to created chances with great netminding being on show by Tyler Plante and Vehvilainen. Jyvaskyla levelled the game at 27:48 when a lapse in concentration allowed Joonas Nattinen to finish low of Plante and we had a 1-1 game. Didn't take long for Jyvaskyla to take the lead when at 31:48 Plante had been on top form keeping out the visitors magnificently but a lucky bounce off Plante left the netminders out of position as he dived to keep the puck out Valtteri Hotakainen was able to put it past the Steelers netminders to give the visitors a 2-1 lead. Sheffield managed to level the game before the break at 37:26 on the power play again this time Cullen Eddy tried to shoot the puck from the right hand side and Mathieu Roy managed to get enough on it to tip it past Vehvilainen and it was a 2-2 game going into the third period.

Sheffield were giving everything they had in the third person and were looking for a way to win the game but it would be the visitors who took the lead again on the man advantage at 47:38 Steelers blocked shots in front of Plante know one knew where the puck was except Joose Antonen who fired the puck top shelf past Plante from the feet of Sarich to give Jyvaskyla a 3-2 lead. With 1:43 left in the game Paul Thompson pulled Plante in an attempt to find an equaliser but it was Jyvaskyla that manage to force a turnover an Janne Tavi had nobody in his way and he slotted into the empty net at 58:35 to give JYP Jyvaskyla a 4-2 win on the road.

FINAL SCORE: Sheffield Steelers 2-4 JYP Jyvaskyla

What a performance by the Steelers who really put British Ice Hockey on the map as did the Braehead Clan unfortunately the Steelers final game on the 5th September is a nothing game as Frolunda and Jyvaskyla have both qualified for the next round but hopefully Sheffield can put on another great show against probably the best team in Europe in Frolunda. That game faces of a 7pm and the home fans will be hoping for a win against Frolunda so we can go into the start of our domestic season 24 hours later with bundles of confidence. Braehead do still have opportunity to qualify mathematically but I'm not sure what it will take but good luck to them next weekend as well as us.

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JYP Jyvaskyla v Sheffield Steelers - CHL Matchday 2 Match Report

Matchday 2 in the Champions Hockey League as the Steelers travel to Jyvaskyla.

JYP Jyvaskyla – 3
Joonas Nattinen - 1st
Valtteri Hotakainen - 2nd
Tuomas Pihlman - 2nd (PP)

Sheffield Steelers– 0

This will be a very short match report, or much shorter than usual because I forgot to do this after the game on Saturday and don't remember a great amount. The home side took the lead at () when Joonas Nattinen opened the scoring firing a big one timer of a slap shot past the blocker of Plante from the right hand circle and JYP led 1-0 after a very dominant start. The home side made all the early running but after about ten minutes Steelers came into the game and took the game to the home side but couldn't find a break through and went into the break behind by a goal.

Jyvaskyla extended their lead to 2-0 at () when a very unfortunate bounce came of a Jonathan Phillips as he went down to block a shot and it landed nicely for Valtteri Hotakainen tip past Plante. Jyvaskyla found themselves on the man advantage and made it count at () to make it 3-0 when the puck deflected of the stick of O'Connor and onto the skate of Plante and it landed nicely for Tuomas Pihlman to score into the open goal. It was unlucky for JYP to be awarded the power play as they should have been called for a penalty just before Mosienko got called for tripping, Steelers really couldn't find any luck but this is what happens when you play a top team in Europe.

Jyvaskyla went into the 3rd period 3 goals to the good and Steelers really did look the better of the teams and look the most likely to score but just couldn't find a way past Tuomas Tarkki who outstanding all game. In 8 days time when these two teams meet again it could be a different story especially if Steelers find their sharpness.

FINAL SCORE: JYP Jyvaskyla 3-0 Sheffield Steelers

A very good game and a very proud performance by the Steelers who were outstanding defensively and offensively despite being able to score but hopefully in about a weeks time they should be more sharper and will hopefully take their chances when they take on Jyvaskyla at Sheffield Arena. Discipline was much better and it certainly helped when taking on a top team. Steelers next game is on Sunday 30th August when they take on JYP Jyvaskyla at Sheffield Arena at 5pm.

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Frolunda Gothenburg v Sheffield Steelers - CHL Matchday 1 Match Report

Matchday 1 in the Champions Hockey League as the Steelers travel to Frolunda.

Frolunda Gothenburg – 9
Henrik Tommernas - 1st (PP), 3rd, 3rd (PP)
Mats Rosseli-Olsen - 2nd (SH)
Artturi Lehkonen - 3rd
Patrik Karlsson - 3rd (PP)
Robin Figren - 3rd (PP)
Johan Sundstom - 3rd
Sebastian Stalberg - 3rd (PP)

Sheffield Steelers– 1
Colton Fretter - 3rd (PS)

Steelers made their Champions Hockey League debut against one of the best teams in Europe and they certainly held their own in the first 40 minutes of the contest. It took until 17:10 for the home side to take the lead while on the man advantage Henrik Tommernas opened the scoring with an absolute bullet from the blue line that took a slight touch of the stick of Mosienko and it just beat Tyler Plante despite the Steelers netminders getting some on it. Steelers gave there absolute everything and were unlucky not to go into the break all square but Frolunda went in leading 1-0.

Steelers carried on where they left off after the break but at time just couldn't find that one bounce but while short handed it was Frolunda who struck again at 25:19. When Tyler Plante tried to play the puck out but Jace Coyle was the unfortunate one caught with the turnover and Mats Rosseli-Olsen picked up the puck before creeping it through the legs of Plante on the backhand. Steelers carried to press and defend as a unit but went into the second intermission 2-0 down but the way they had played at the moment they certainly didn't look out of place against Frolunda.

Into the third period and the floodgates opened and the home side scored a 3rd goal at 41:49 when a shot deflected out to the stick of Artturi Lehkonen and he nicely slotted his shot past Plante at his near post. It was soon 4-0 and we was treated to what was possibly the goal of the night when Tommernas skated behind the Steelers goal before finishing of a beautiful wrap around at 43:35. Straight off the face-off Nelson ended up sitting for four minutes and it was 5-0 at 44:18 when Tommernas shot from the blue and Patrik Karlsson perfectly re-directed it past the Steelers netminders and still on the power play. It was 6-0 at 45:01 when Frolunda showed hockey at it's finest when Robin Figren had the puck laid on a plate in front of goal and he coolly lifted it over the glove of Plante. It was 7-0 at 47:42 and another unlucky bounce for the Steelers this time a shot deflected of the skate of Ben O'Connor and as Plante went one way Johan Sundstrom finished it into the open net. At 50:59 Steelers were given the opportunity to make history when Fretter was taken out on a breakaway and was awarded a penalty shot by the officials, Colton Fretter also took the shot and performed a beautiful toe drag to beat Johansson top shelf to score the Steelers first ever goal in the CHL to send the travelling fans mental despite still being down 7-1. It was 8-1 at 55:03 when Tommernas completed his hat-trick with a bullet of a slap shot that went in off the post on the man advantage. The home side finished of the scoring at 59:08 again on the man advantage when Sebastian Stalberg fired a sweet wrist shot to beat Plante from the slot to give Frolunda a 9-1 victory.

FINAL SCORE: Frolunda Gothenburg 9–1 Sheffield Steelers

It's safe to say poor discipline was the downfall of the Steelers and it's something Paul Thompson certainly needs to address ahead of Saturdays trip over to Finland to face JYP Jyvaskyla in our second CHL game. If we play like we did for the first 40 minutes on Saturday and address the number of poor penalties taken there is no reason we cant go and take a point or two back to Sheffield with us. Next game then is Saturday versus JYP Jyvaskyla with 3pm face-off UK TIME.

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5 Things We Learnt - Champions Hockey League

Thank you to Tony for his contribution to FSB, All Credit for this piece goes to him so any queries you can contact Tony on Twitter @DISGU15ED

In the week of the Champions Hockey League (CHL) group stage draw, here's five things we're been learning about the teams coming to the UK this summer.

1> Frolunda Gothenburg (SWE) - The Indians were ranked thirteenth in the draw, the highest ranking possible as they won neither the league nor playoffs last year. They did however finish second in the league and only fell to Vaxjo (more about them later) in the playoff semifinal. They also boast the highest home attendance in the SHL every year, and with over 10,000 at every game are in the top five supported teams across Europe. No mugs then.

2>  JYP Jyvaskyla (FIN) - A ranking of 20th doesn't really do justice to the Liiga playoff's bronze medalists as they also finished a strong fourth in the league. Their arena only holds 4,500, but as Jyvaskyla is a four hour bus ride north of Helsinki I guess they don't expect too many away fans! We've got more chance of beating them at rallying.

3> Vaxjo Lakers (SWE) - Current SHL playoff champions and top ranked team in the CHL draw. Like Braehead they're a relatively young team in the top league, but unlike Braehead they held on for their first title last year. Get your flags ready as the Orange and Blue army and their Scottish dual national Liam Reddox head for Glasgow.

4> ERC Ingolstadt (GER) - A surprise winner of the DEL playoffs in 13/14. They finished a healthy 4th in the league last year, and almost held on to their title after going up 2:1 in their best of seven playoff finals this year before eventually losing to Mannheim. Jeff Szwez formerly of Belfast played for the Panthers last year.

5> Game dates - the six group games are due to be played over three consecutive Thurs-Sun long weekends at the end of August / early September. So the first game could be 20 Aug and the last could be 6 September, and as I can't find any other events listed at the Arena, I'm hopeful we'll get some nice Fri/Sat evening dates.

Chances of progression for the GB clubs are about one in a million as we're ranked 42 and 46 out of 48 for good reason. It would be a massive shock if either club could even repeat Nottingham's feat of winning one CHL game - but it's unmissable as it will be the best hockey ever played at either Arena. I can't wait.

Get to Ice Sheffield on 15/16 August to see GB's two entrants in pre-season preparation.

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CHL - The Stage for the CHL Is Set

The CHL draw has been made and the Steelers are ready! As are we

The Champions Hockey League draw has been made and the Steelers will face Swedish Elite League side Frolunda Gothenberg and Finish Liiga side JYP Jyvaskyla in Group 14.

The dates for the game are yet to be set but I'm sure it wont be too long till its arranged and here is a bit of history on our CHL opponents.

The first out of the hat was Swedish club Frölunda Indians Gothenburg of the SHL. In 1995 they played in the second tier of Swedish hockey, the Allvenskan.

They were originally founded as long ago as 1938 and became independent in 1984. They play out of the Scandanavium arena which holds 12044 people. When this building is being used for other events they play at Frolundaborg in Western Sweden and overall they have had the highest attendance in the league for over a decade. Indeed they set a Swedish record for 11,688 in 2007-08.

Their most famous players are Henrik Lundqvist (NYR), Erik Karlsson(Ottawa), Daniel Alfredsson(Ottawa/Detroit), Per-Johan Axelsson, Louis Eriksson, Alexander Steen, Lars Eller, Mikkel Bödker and Viktor Stålberg.

Honours

National Championships:
3 – 1965, 2003, 2005 

LAST FIVE SEASONS:

2014-15: 2^nd regular season, Semi-finals, CHL Finals
2013-14: 2^nd regular season, Quarter-finals
2012-13: 6^th regular season, Quarter-finals
2011-12: 5^th regular season, Quarter-finals
2010-11: 9^th regular season, out of playoffs

The second European team Steelers play is JYP Jyväskylä of Finland is a club in the SM-Liiga, founded in 1923, is a treasure for the people of city of Jyvaskyla, in central Finland. The club achieved promotion to the league in the spring of 1985, and has played there ever since. For the last few years JYP has been one of the most successful clubs in Finland. In the last five seasons, JYP has won the regular season three times and the league championship twice (2012 & 2009). JYP won the European Trophy in 2014.

In 2010 they entered into a partnership agreement with the Boston Bruins of the NHL to enable transfer of players and for development.

Honours

National Championships: 
2 – 2009, 2012

European Trophy: 
1 – 2014

LAST FIVE SEASONS:

2014–15: 4^th regular season, Semi-finals
2013–14: 5^th regular season, Quarter-finals
2012–13: 3^rd regular season, Semi-finals
2011–12: 4^th regular season, Champions
2010–11: 1^st regular season, Semi-finals
2009–10: 1^st regular season, Semi-finals

Sheffield Steelers have also signed Jason Hewitt on a one year extension which will make it his 11th season with the Season and will see him be awarded with his testimonial through out the season. Welcome back Jason.

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The Duell Report - Dissecting Tony's interview and the departure of G

I was about to go for lunch on Monday when Mitch at work dropped me a work message. "Mark, have you seen the news?" was his opening gambit. Of course I hadn't so I told him firmly in the negative. Then he sent me the link. I was like er, what the heck? In fact, I spent my lunch break wondering what I had just read and trying to make head or tail of sense of it. Then the more I thought about it, the pieces started to click and they definitely started to emerge in a clearer picture once I heard Tony's interview on BBC Radio Sheffield.

The decision has split a number of us, and that's to be expected. Let's try to explain why I think this is the right way forward. My thoughts won't please you all, but then again this is my view from my soapbox. I give you two reasons off the top of my head, but we all know there could be more.

Reason number 1: Results and Performance

Yes we won the Elite League for the first time in 4 seasons, but by gosh we were very fortunate to do so. Nobody should go and win this with 13 losses on their record; to win the league with 74 points and that amount of regulation defeats shows how bad the league was. Everyone had a freak result or two in their record and although some say it proved how competitive the EIHL was: I digress. I mean come on, Hull winning 6-1 in the NIC? That's a prime example of a freak result.

G also was out thought on numerous occasions by opposing coaches, and when you struggle to find a Plan B then it reflects in a bad performance. Two of these notable occasions came in two massive games, namely the Challenge Cup and Play-Off Finals. For 40 minutes in both games, we were given a lesson on how to play from start to finish. We had to play desperate hockey to catch up, and in both cases - fell short.

Reason number 2: The impending Under 20 team

Tony cited this has something that is happening soon, and that the job of Sheffield Steelers Head Coach has expanded beyond the original remit which G was appointed on. He feels G cannot take the team further based on the abilities he has and what Tony wants. I foresee that the new coach will probably have to have a great background in developing promising talents and making them better hockey players. So who does this mean? It's certainly not going to be Peter Russell; the GB coach; as Tony has ruled him out already. Could it be a return to the Elite for Paul Thompson? That's an interesting thought. Guess he'd have to sever his Coventry ties completely if he was appointed.

Or is it someone else? We will know before the Champions Hockey League draw takes place in Prague on 13 May. One thing I ask of you all: we have to stick together through this latest decision, and give whoever succeeds G - our backing.

Another couple of things that struck me listening to the interview was the subject of the Steeldogs connection and the steps back and forward comment. I guess I wasn't alone with this. Looking at both objectively, it seems like Tony has a plan in mind to make Sheffield the new hotbed of hockey talent. Yeah the first announcement was met with some derision from current Dogs fans on Facebook. One claimed this: "Yawn, heard it all before. Seriously would be a good idea, but would have been a good idea for the last 10 years. Still waiting." whilst another said: "They want EVERYTHING and they want it NOW!!!"

Jesus, what are they on? All Tony is wanting for Sheffield hockey to be united under one umbrella instead of the split which currently exists. We're not wanting you to turn your back on the Dogs; if you want to watch them then that's your choice but wouldn't it be good to have a bit of continuity like they do down the road from juniors to semi-pro to full time pros? That's what I reckon Tony's after. Is that too hard to stomach? I don't think it is.

Finally, the "We might have in fairness have to take one or steps back to take three or four forward" comment. This strikes me that Tony is prepared to see the new plan be a work in progress and isn't a quick fix process. After Gerad did admit after the Final that in his eyes we had "overachieved" in 2015; and the League title was a surprise when considering the last 6 weeks of the season, we played two imports down. Do you remember that? Next season I can see being a bit of transition year especially with the CHL happening too. But then again who can predict what will happen next? Nobody has all the answers, not even Tony, so just swallow your pride and keep supporting the team (whoever is in it). That's what I am doing, are you?

See you in a few weeks. Time Out called!


Mark

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The Opposition Bench: Panthers In Europe

I like to think that we at FSB are a welcoming, friendly bunch. We welcome contributions from all over the ice hockey world, even from our nearest and not-so-dearest down the M1. But the Panthers entering the CHL is a pretty big occasion in my eyes, and so I asked friend of the blog (kinda, a bit, we talk on Twitter, you know the score) Tom from Panthers Banter if he'd give us his thoughts on the draw.