Steel City homecoming for Danny Wood

SHEFFIELD, U.K. – Like most youngsters Danny first got into the sport by attending the ‘Learn to Skate’ sessions at the old Queens Road Ice Rink and never looked back since.
Danny was asked who has been the biggest influence on his career, “My family. They have supported me through the ups and downs of being a hockey player. They have always put things into perspective for me when the road has been tough and been the first to congratulate me when there has been success,”   Wood said.

“From a coaching standpoint Jon Rowbotham and Martin White both for different reasons. Jon was a pioneer in player development. He taught me the game: how to think it, how to prepare, and how to be a winner. Martin taught me how to be accountable as a player: discipline and hard work whether it be practice or a game,” Wood added.
Danny then excelled through juniors playing alongside the likes of former Steeler Tom Squires, but finishing well above Squires and his other teammates in the point’s charts at the end of each season.
In 2004, at the tender age of 15 years old Wood was shining with the now defunct Sheffield Scimitars, where he amassed an impressive 28 points (18+10) in just 14 games, prompting the Steelers to look at him further.
Wood believes his “skating ability” and “how he sees the ice” have always been particular strengths of his game, and something that every coach of his will also concur with.
In the same season Danny made three appearances for the Steelers, and he was asked what the experience was like, “A whirlwind. I was only 15 at the time so I really didn’t soak it in as much as I would have liked. It was a great experience from what I remember. I just tried to calm the nerves and play my role when I hopped over the boards. It wasn’t an experience most 15 year olds get to have so it is something I’m proud of,” Wood explained.
Danny paid tribute to former Sheffield Academy junior coach Jon Rowbotham, when he was asked who was the best coach that he has played for “Overall, it would be Jon Rowbotham. Jon pioneered player development in Sheffield and in this country. I wouldn’t have reached the levels I have without his guidance. He bred winning into each of the teams he coached and the philosophy that hard work lays the groundwork for that to happen. He knows the game and prepared me and my teammates for every aspect of the game. Not many coaches like that out there,” Wood said.
Just after his sixteenth birthday Danny left the U.K. in search of pastures new, and he was to call Minnesota his home for the next seven years. He was asked how the move to the U.S. came about , “ I played at Shattuck St Mary’s in Faribault, Minnesota which is not a junior team. After I graduated from high school I then played 3 years of junior A hockey,” Wood explained.
“Shattuck came about after my family advisor at the time mentioned it as being the best place in the world to combine education and hockey. Moreover, it was important to my family that I continued my education while I played. Shattuck expressed an interest in seeing me play and invited me to a weeklong tryout when I was 15. They liked what they saw and I was offered a spot for the 05-06 season by JP Parise (Zach’s father and former director of hockey at SSM). This move was made easier due to me having dual citizenship (US/UK) so I guess I have my mum to thank for that,” Wood added.
Danny was then asked why he chose the junior route in the U.S. as opposed to the U.K. junior system, “The chance to play at Shattuck isn’t one that many players get the chance to do. I chose that route so I could continue my education without having to sacrifice it or hockey. The game schedule is more competitive (most AAA teams playing 80 games a season) and practice every night,” Wood confirmed.
During his time in the U.S. Danny has had some great experiences and has some fond memories, “Playing in the national championships with Shattuck and being able to be part of such a successful hockey tradition that they have is one fond memory; Shattuck is a hockey factory and has developed the likes of Crosby, Parise, Toews, Okoposo, and Stafford. Another great memory was being selected for the NAHL Top Prospects (All Star) Tournament. To be selected for that was an honour as the league is a well respected junior league in the U.S.,” Wood offered.  
Wood also Captained England at under 14 and under 16 level, playing in the likes of Germany and Sweden, which he considered another huge honour.
In recent years Wood’s style of play has evolved from being a playmaking forward to a more shutdown specialist, playing on the penalty kill. He was asked which style he preferred, “I prefer the offensive playmaker role and that is one I hope to get back to on the bigger ice surface. A big part of the game is adaptability and being able to switch roles when your team needs it,” Wood admitted.
Wood was asked his opinion on how the sport can develop the number of British players coming through the ranks, “The profile of the game is always a good way of getting people hooked. Community work is huge in forming a brand and identity necessary for the sport to grow on a local and national level. Giving young players the tools to succeed on and off the ice will also keep young players in the game,” Wood offered.
Like most hockey players Danny has some superstitions that he follows before a game, “ Left side of my gear first, walk or drive to the rink the same way for practice or games are my last two remaining superstitions. To be honest I got to the point I had too many and not enough time to get them all done I had to cut back on them,” Wood admitted.
Wood also shared a good practical joke that he has played on an unsuspecting teammate “Not trying to give away my best ones but here we go. Rubbing wax on a few deserving teammate’s skates before practice was my go to prank for a while. Best thing about wax, unlike clear tape, is that they can’t see it when they check their skates; however, it still has the desired effect once they step on the ice,” Wood said.
Wood also keeps himself busy over the summer and set up Maximum Stride Hockey Camps (www.maximumstridehockey.com) in 2007 where he has coached children, teaching them the basics and provides off ice training and private tuition. The 23-year-old is also a qualified personal trainer and has a keen interest in fitness and nutrition.
Wood was asked how Maximum Stride Hockey Camps came about , “ It evolved after a person asked if I would give his son some lessons. After a while people were asking me to run small group clinics and eventually full scale camps. Work with players of all skill levels 4 year olds through to men’s league players. I now go around the U.S. running my camps in various locations. It is great fun; whenever you get the chance to pass on knowledge of the game to someone else it is fun. It is what makes the game special,” Wood said.
“I hope that we can work in some clinics in the U.K. If people want them then we’ll bring them!” Wood added.
Wood hasn’t been in Sheffield for five years and admits it would be a shock to the system when he makes his return to his hometown city, “ One thing I miss the most is the local Indian restaurant, Rajput, right by where I lived in Walkley. I must admit I’m looking forward to stopping in there when I get back,” Wood joked.
Wood was then asked, what is he looking forward to most about playing in Sheffield, to which he responded, “To be playing where winning is expected. The Steelers tradition speaks for itself; a tradition that has been built from former players and the fans that bring a great atmosphere to the Arena,” Wood answered.
Danny concluded the interview by saying, “ The team signings so far should have the fans excited. I know I sure am. The preparation has already started on a personal level for me and I know it will have for the rest of the guys. I will wear the Steelers jersey with pride just like every fan that has pride in their team. To have success this year the team and fans will rally around each other. There will be highs and lows but that makes winning that much better. Everyone can play their part in the team’s success; we as players will take care of it on the ice, you as fans getting more people hooked and excited about the Steeler’s brand will only increase that success off it,” Wood said.
ProHockeyNews would like to sincerely thank Danny Wood for his time, and to also wish him all the best for his return to Sheffield and the upcoming season.
Contact the author at Scott.antcliffe@prohockeynews.com