Steeldogs confirm two new signings

SHEFFIELD, U.K.- In what turned out to be a busy weekend for the Steeldogs, the Sheffield side have confirmed the capture of ex-Elite League forward, Derek Campbell, in addition to re-signing Craig Elliot.
 
Campbell has played for a number of top EIHL teams such as the Newcastle Vipers, Coventry Blaze, and more recently, the Sheffield Steelers and the Hull Stingrays in 2010 and 2011 respectively.
 
During his 2011/12 season with Hull Stingrays, Canadian Campbell recorded a total of 55 League and Challenge Cup points with 12 goals and 43 assists in 59 games. Campbell’s 7 points and hat-trick against the Sheffield Steelers helped earn the Stingrays a place in the 2011/12 Elite League Play-offs.
 
The 32 year old forward also played for the St. Thomas University in Canada from 2001-04 and had short stints in the American Hockey League for the Binghamton Senators and the Houston Aeros.
 

Steeldogs Head Coach and former team mate of Campbell, Andre Payette, said, “ He’s probably the guy I most wanted to bring in once last season finished. He’s really strong on the puck, hard-working and I think he’s going to be one of our leading points men.”
 
“We’ve known each other a long time so it’s great to have him alongside me again”.
 
Campbell expressed his excitement at joining the Steeldogs, “They are building a good club in Sheffield and they want to be challenging for trophies, and soon, so it’s good to be getting involved with a club at this stage that has such high expectations of itself and is ambitious.”
 
“I’ve known Andre a long time and he is one of my best friends and I’m happy that this has worked out”.
 
Craig Elliott will also return to the Steeldogs for a third season. After missing the first few games of last season, the 23 year old forward secured 1 goal and 4 assists in 46 games.
 
Payette said, “Craig is an absolute pleasure to be around in the dressing room and his work ethic is unquestionable.”
 
“I expect Craig to start scoring a few more goals this year as he deceptively good hands and goes hard to the net”.
 
Steeldogs owner, Shane Smith, said, “Craig bought in to the Steeldogs last year massively; he took on any roll that was asked of him and it has gone along way for him and deserves his return.”
 
“I am sure Craig will continue to grow as a player and is also another player that has a lot to offer for the future”.    
 
Contact the writer at ryan.laycock@prohockeynews.com