SHEFFIELD, U.K. – The Sheffield Steelers tradition of a turbulent and entertaining off-season during the summer months hasn’t failed to disappoint so far with some impressive signings and an interesting mud-slinging competition between a former player and the club.
Sheffield Steelers boost their British contingent with Meyers.
Over the past few days axed former fan favourite Colt King has spoke out about his time in Sheffield and the tribulations that he has endured saying on Twitter “Good for you Tom. You’ll be better off. #Zeroprofessionalism. I could write a book on the garbage we had to deal on and off the ice all season.” King referring to Tom Squires decision to leave his boyhood club.
The Steelers replied to King’s barrage by stating he lost interest when the league title campaign hit a rocky patch, stating King had a negative influence on two unnamed imports rumoured to be Mike Ramsay and Matt Stephenson.
King although he stated he would have liked to return to Sheffield for a second season, apparently had signed for a former CHL employer before the season was over, adding further fuel to the fire.
Sheffield however moved swiftly to boost the squad and did so by announcing the signing of former Panthers stalwart Danny Meyers, after his subsequent release by Nottingham last week.
The move has gone down well amongst Sheffield fans, but with some expressing concerns about how key British signings such as Colin Shields, and Danny Meyers will affect the squad’s budget with a large number of imports still to sign.
The 29-year-old Great Britain international decided a move to Sheffield would be the better option with him having a young family whom are settled in Nottingham.
Meyers shared his thoughts on signing with Sheffield, “There are a lot of strange emotions running through me right now. Its funny I always thought that maybe one day I would play in Sheffield but obviously not under the circumstances of the past week. I think everyone knows I was settled and happy in Nottingham and was a committed Panther. Things change though and I can assure all Steelers fans from this moment forward I am as committed and determined for them and their club as I was for Nottingham,” Meyers admitted. “I’m excited by the change, excited by the challenge and excited by the team that Ryan Finnerty is putting together. As a player and a person I have always given 100% to everything that I have done, anyone who knows me and has worked with me in Nottingham can vouch for that. Though I haven’t pulled the shirt on yet and skated on the arena ice as a Steeler, I am a Steeler. I know so many of the players there and respect them, I have played with many on GB duty and know the Steelers British lads are a tight knit group. I know I will fit in both on and off the ice and together we can all enjoy great success,” Meyers said.
Steelers new boy Meyers (left) battling it out with his new Head Coach last season (picture courtesy of Sheffield Steelers)
The signing of Meyers has left a bitter taste in the Panthers fans mouths’ causing some bitter comments on their online fan forum website and social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
Sheffield Steelers Player/Coach Ryan Finnerty heaped praise on his latest acquisition, “This is a huge signing for the Steelers. When the summer started we didn’t think we had a chance of bringing Danny here but things change and we moved quickly to secure what I believe is the best British D man in the Elite League. Signing Danny makes us better in many areas, we are firstly just better, we are deeper and we will run 6 quality D men next season, we are more experienced and we have more leadership,” Finnerty conceded. “I first spoke with Danny early last summer but we were unable to move him out of Nottingham, with things taking a change of direction there this summer we took our opportunity. Danny is a strong and positive personality, he will fit in very well with the Steelers and the players in the room, many of whom he knows from international duty. He is a character player and a character person, we aren’t frightened of those in Sheffield, and in fact we embrace them,” Finnerty added.
Sheffield also announced the signing of another Danny, former Sheffield junior academy graduate Danny Wood, who has been playing in the U.S. since the age of 16.
Wood will play a utility role for the team as he can play as a defensive shutdown forward, but also has great offensive skills. He could well prove to be a diamond in the rough for the Steelers, and a shrewd move by Finnerty.
ProHockeyNews will be conducting an exclusive interview with Wood about his time in the U.S. and his move to the Steelers in the coming weeks.
Contact the author at Scott.antcliffe@prohockeynews.com
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