Sheffield Steelers return to the ice on Saturday night as they begin a home-and-home series with the Cardiff Devils.
After last year’s Champions Hockey League adventure, the Steelers enter the new campaign focused solely on domestic competition and determined to fight for silverware, having taken the league title race to the very last game but finishing the season empty-handed.
Head Coach Aaron Fox reflected on preparations so far:
“We’re really excited. The guys came in and have all looked really good. We’ve done our off-ice testing and slowly got a few skates in last weekend, building up with more over this week. We’ve had a lot to get through but the players have been working really hard and are very dialled in. They’re excited to be here, and ready to go.”
While Cardiff have already been on the ice for two weeks, playing competitive fixtures, this weekend marks the first outing for Fox’s 2025/26 Steelers.
“In pre-season games you’re looking to build identity, create the culture within your group and work on some of the systems we’ve talked about,” Fox explained. “Most guys skate in the summer but the intensity just isn’t the same, so we need to build that intensity and compete level.
“We’re playing a very good hockey team that already has a few games under their belt, so they’ll probably be in a little better hockey shape, but that gives us the chance to focus on ourselves and play the way we want to play. It’s been a good first week, and we’re ready for a big weekend.”
Photo: Sheffield Steelers