SHEFFIELD,U.K – Current Elite league champions the Sheffield Steelers, have announced the signings of netminding duo Kevin Reiter and Dan Green.
Reiter, 28, played last season with the Basingstoke Bison, and although his team performed poorly, players and fans alike regarded Reiter as one of the shining stars of the team. He also attracted the interest of several Elite League clubs all eager to capture his signature for the 2009-10 campaign. Sheffield Steelers Head Coach Dave Matsos spoke about his latest acquisition, “I’m very happy to have signed Kevin, he is a proven winner and a quality person who will fit into our club and most importantly an excellent goalie who with our team in front of us can and will win again,” Matsos said. “I had several options between the pipes and to be honest I would have been happy with most of them. Kevin was always at the front of the line. I liked the fact that he was hungry, he had a bad time in a bad situation with Basingstoke and was keen to put the record straight he has already won before and he knows what it takes to cross the line first. Kevin also knows the league and knows you have to play the vast majority of the games and that it’s your job to be ready every night.” The Steelers fans were anxious regarding the vacant netminding role, and they knew it would be a tough task replacing Denmark bound All-Star goaltender Jody Lehman. Reiter was also aware of the task in front of him; “It’s been a busy few weeks whilst we negotiated this deal but I couldn’t be happier. I know I’m stepping into big skates replacing Jody but I’m confident in my own ability and the team Matty (Dave Matsos) is building for the new year. I’m a winner and I have won before and I know with the Steelers we can win again,” Reiter said. “The Steelers defence last year was outstanding, I understand there are a few changes for this coming year but it will still be an impressive defensive core with me in the middle of it. I of course was always keen on this job and as soon as I found out Jody was moving to Denmark I made it known that I wanted the job the good news is that the Steelers wanted me as well.” Supporting Reiter in between the pipes will be Leamington Spa born, Dan Green who like Reiter has also played for the Basingstoke Bison. Green featured in seven games for the Steelers last year and he will be hoping to see more ice time this season. Dave Matsos also shares this view; “Greener was very popular last year, when he had his chances he played well and the team enjoyed playing for him. I would like to think he will get more ice time next season and show the fans what we all know already, that Dan Green is a very good goalie,” Matsos said. “It’s a tough job being a back up in our league. We all know that the number one guy gets the vast majority of the starts, that fact alone makes the selection of the back up even more important. As well as a good goalie you need a confident man, a guy who is good in the room keeps everyone’s spirits high and also a guy who will be last off at practice. A man who will stay out with the shooters for as long as they need him.” Green spoke about his delight to see Reiter wearing the teal and orange colours of the Steelers next season. “Knowing all the guys that I do down in Basingstoke and listening to them talk about Kevin I’m excited that he could have a similar effect on us that Jody did. We saw Kevin play some extraordinary games against us last season, he single handedly kept the Bison in many matches,” Green said “Kevin has won before in North America and I don’t think he would be coming into the pressure situation here in Sheffield if he weren’t confident that he could win again.” Green continued, “It is going to be so different for him at the Steelers, night and day to what it was in Basingstoke. There is a pressure every day here not just in games but at practise as well, you don’t get to take a day off here. He knows that though and speaking with him I think that’s what he is looking for, I don’t see him buckling and in fact I see the reverse, I see him excelling under that kind of pressure and leading us to victory.” The Steelers now have two remaining import slots to fill, one of which is believed to be an offensive defenceman, and the other a high scoring power forward. Contact the author at Scott.antcliffe@prohockeynews.com
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