SHEFFIELD, U.K. – Sheffield Steelers fans were delighted with the news that defensive stalwart Rod Sarich has signed for his seventh season with the defending Elite League Champions.
More announcements to be made over the next week or two.
Sarich, 30, first arrived in Sheffield in 2005, and has been a mainstay in the Sheffield roster ever since. A couple of injuries have somewhat hampered Sarich over the last few seasons, casting a slight shadow on what otherwise has been an impressive 6-year-stint with the South Yorkshire side.
In his time with Sheffield, Sarich has made 294 appearances and has lifted several pieces of silverware, including two League and two Play Off Championships.
Saskatchewan native Sarich is regarded as one of the best offensive defenceman in the league, and he has demonstrated this by amassing 225 points in his 294 games with the club.
Sarich spoke of his decision to re-sign “I’ve had 6 great years with the Steelers. I’ve no need to go anywhere else. We have won before and I believe we can win again. I’ve settled in the city and made many friends both in the team and outside hockey as well.
“I like the team that Ryan is putting together, Sheffield has a winning tradition and all of the players know the pressures of playing here. We are expected to win and I like that. After the amount of time I have spent here I feel like one of the senior guys, I like feeling a part of the club. I can’t wait for the season to start and for us to get it going again,” Sarich said.
Rod Sarich returns for his seventh season with the Steelers ( Picture courtesy of Sheffield Steelers)
Steelers Player/Coach Ryan Finnerty spoke of his delight about the signing, “Roddy does things that others can’t do. He is a special talent, a special player and a key to us if we are to succeed again. Roddy had asked me for a little time when I initially took over and I gave him that. All the time though I was just hoping that he wouldn’t decide to pack his bags and move on. Many clubs both here in the UK and in Europe would love him in their side.” Finnerty admitted.
“For me Roddy is the best offensive d-man in the league, he is a great power-play guy and his combination with Jeff Legue is known all over the league. You just can’t replace a Roddy that easily and that’s why it was so important to keep hold of him”. Finnerty said
Sheffield still have 4 import slots to fill, with two of them being defenceman, one being a forward and the final slot a netminder.
The netminder is rumoured to be a 6’2 American, with AHL experience and who is new to the EIHL. There is an announcement expected tomorrow regarding the new netminder.
Contact the author at Scott.antcliffe@prohockeynews.com
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