SHEFFIELD, U.K. – The Sheffield Steelers had a busy week last week by announcing that four of their Great Britain international players had put pen to paper for next season. With the Elite League announcing recently that the import quota would be dropped to ten, it has placed more emphasis and importance on home grown talent in the league. Newly appointed Sheffield Steelers Player/Coach Ryan Finnerty has worked around the clock to ensure that the quartet of Jonathan Phillips, Jason Hewitt, Ashley Tait, and Mark Thomas will all be donning teal and orange when they take to the ice for the 2011/12 campaign. The first player announced was Ashley Tait who will once again be returning as Player/Assistant Coach. Tait will be returning for his fourth season in five years with the Steelers after he had a spell with Ritten Renon in Italy during the 2009-10 campaign. Tait had a career year with the Steelers last season with 78 points (25+53) in 59 games, which ranked him as the second highest British points scorer in the League behind Nottingham’s David Clarke. Steelers Player/Coach Ryan Finnerty spoke of his decision to re-sign Tait. “Ash has so much experience and respect in the game, we will feed off each other that’s for sure. Ash was due to work closely with Ben last season,” Finnerty said. “I am looking for him to play an even bigger part alongside me, both in the summer months as we recruit and in the winter when the season begins. His role will be more than just an assistant, I respect and trust his views on the game. He knows what it takes to win and make those around him winners.”
The %27British Bulldog%27 Jason Hewitt will be wearing the teal and orange of Sheffield next season (Image courtesy of Sheffield Steelers)
The next player to put pen to paper was that of fan favourite Jason Hewitt. The Manchester-born 27-year-old will be returning for his sixth season with the South Yorkshire side after recording a career season and receiving the plaudits of Coaches’ Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year. Hewitt registered 47 points last season (17+30) in 61 games, doubling his previous seasons points tally. Hewitt spoke about his return. “I’m looking forward to working with Finner, we are great mates, it will be interesting how that works out when he is the boss but he is someone I respect greatly. He will get 100% from me and the rest of the team. I have high hopes for him and the Steelers next year,” Hewitt said. Steelers Captain Jonathan Phillips was the next player to follow suit as he signed on the dotted line a day later. Phillips will also be returning for his sixth season in Steelers colours, hoping to improve on last year, which was marred by a severe knee injury. Phillips has previously played 261 games in Steelers colours, captaining the club to two league titles and two playoff championships along the way. Phillips spoke about his decision to return to Sheffield, “I was always re-signing here as a first choice, I have moved house, moved my family up here, we love Sheffield and we love being Steelers. Ryan Finnerty has a tough job following the likes of Dave Matsos and Ben Simon but if anyone can then he can. He will get the boys to follow him, and we will all give him everything we have to ensure that we continue this winning tradition.” Steelers Player/Coach Ryan Finnerty has played alongside Phillips for two seasons, so it was a no brainer for him to re-sign the Cardiff born speedster.
“Jonathan Phillips is a premium player in our league, until his knee injury he was on target for a career year. I know that if he is fit for the season he will recoup some of the goals we have lost in Robert Dowd’s absence. The thing I have found talking to Jono and the others is that they are so committed to the Steelers cause, they want what’s best for the club, for the team, and most importantly they want to win,” Finnerty Said.
Steelers Captain Jonathan Phillips returning for another season (Image courtesy of Sheffield Steelers)
The fourth and final player to sign last week was towering blueliner Mark Thomas. The Stockport-born 27-year-old joined midway through the 2005-06 season, after his previous team the London Racers ceased trading. Thomas has since played 303 games in Sheffield colours with last season being his most prolific as he recorded 16 points (4+12) in 50 games. Thomas spoke about returning to his adopted city, “From the moment I walked in here I have loved it. Sometimes I keep thinking I should get a proper job but nothing could fill the gap that the Steelers would leave, you’re playing a game you love with a great bunch of teammates in the best building in the league. The real world and a proper job can wait for a while yet.” Sheffield are also due to announce a new signing to the club from another Elite League team. The player is rumoured to be young British defenceman Kevin Phillips from Braehead. Contact the author at
Scott.antcliffe@prohockeynews.com Related
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