SHEFFIELD, U.K- The Elite league Sheffield Steelers have added some much needed toughness to their roster with the signing of British forward, Andrew Sharp. Sharp, 24, will split the 2008-09 season between the Steelers and the English Premier league Sheffield Scimitars.
Steelers Head-coach Dave Matsos is full of praise for the new acquisition “I think this is a great addition to our line up, Andrew is a young man trying to make his way in the game and looking for an opportunity to impress, we’re giving him that opportunity,” Matsos said.
Steelers new capture Andrew Sharp (Photo by John Scott)
In 2006, Sharp played in the extremely tough and often scrutinized LNAH league, featuring in ten games for Thetford Mines Prolab, picking up 24 PIMs along the way.
Sharp most recently played for the Romford Raiders of the EPL last season amassing 156 PIMs in only 19 games.
Sharp also featured for Coventry Blaze playing in the British Knockout cup dropping the gloves with ex-Steelers enforcer Jeremy Cornish, now with the Basingstoke Bison.
The transition from EPL to Elite league is huge, but Sharp is relishing the new challenge “This is a big chance for me to play on a championship side, I know I can play an important part in doing just that and It’s why I contacted Dave Matsos this summer,” Sharp said. “I was impressed when he came back to me, the deal was done quickly and now I cant wait to get across and meet my new team mates.”
Sharp wasn’t short of teams wanting his services, as he explains, “I have had teams in the IHL and CHL all over me but my desire was to return to Britain and play in the Elite league,” Sharp said. “I have only ever had a British passport and I know I am the only British player that can play my role on a team and I know that I am expected to protect and keep an eye out for the guys, they can trust me to do just that.”
The Steelers fans are looking for a tough guy who will drop the gloves with Elite league heavyweights such as Brad Voth and ex-Steelers fan favourite Brett Clouthier. In Sharp they have just that, a fearless player who has fought some of the most respected names in the LNAH, SPHL, and more recently the EPL.
Sharp is sure to add some much needed entertainment to the Elite league this year. Sharp will make his debut in the pre-season games against SC Bietigheim-Bissingen on August 23 and 24. Contact the author at Scott.antcliffe@prohockeynews.com
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