SHEFFIELD, U.K. – The Sheffield Steelers are set for the start of the 2016/17 campaign after adding their final piece of the jigsaw with Swedish centreman Andreas Valdix.
Head Coach Paul Thompson delighted with his final signing (Image courtesy of Dean Woolley)
The 6 feet 1 inch Swede joins the club from Austrian outfit HC Innsbruck where he registered 48 points from 99 games over the last two seasons.
Prior to Austria, the 31-year-old had spent the whole of his career in his native Sweden firstly icing with hometown club Malmö where he rose through the ranks of the successful junior system and made his senior debut in the SHL at just 17-years-old.
A Swedish international from U16 to U20’s, Valdix was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft 109th overall, but never made an appearance for the club.
Valdix has 376 regular season Allsvenskan games to his name predominantly with IK Oskarshamn where he played alongside former Steeler Russ Moyer. He also had spells with VIK Västerås HK, the Nybro Vikings IF and the Halmstad Hammers.
During his time in the Allsvenskan, Valdix racked up an impressive 188 points (81+107) as well as 473 penalty minutes.
Valdix will be one of four Swedes in the locker room which also includes Markus Nilsson, defenceman Christoffer Björklund and assistant coach Jerry Andersson.
Steelers Head Coach Paul Thompson who has coached against Valdix previously in the Allsvenskan, spoke about his latest acquisition, “I waited a long time to get a player who I feel brings the skill set to complete our roster. Andreas is big, a very strong skater and has outstanding vision. He has incredible puck possession and passing qualities, he is a perfect fit for us,” Thompson said.
“We both did our research over this negotiation period, the more I looked into him, the more I realised he was the man we had been looking for. I coached against him in the Allsvenskan so have seen him first-hand, and what he can do. He has an outstanding two-way game and is a very educated player,” Thompson added.
Andreas Valdix completes the Steelers squad for the 2016/17 campaign (Image courtesy of Sheffield Steelers)
Valdix also offered his thoughts, “I’m happy and looking forward to coming to Sheffield to see the town, the arena and meet the fans. I talked to Conny Strömberg who played there last year and I asked him what he thought, he had only good things to say,” Valdix stated.
Valdix will fly in for the pre-season training camp in just over a fortnight’s time before playing in the back-to-back friendly games against Paul Thompson’s old team the Aalborg Pirates.
The Steelers will then head into Europe to compete in the Champions Hockey League once again where they will take on Swedish side HV71 and Austrian outfit EC Red Bull Salzburg.
Quotes courtesy of BBC Radio Sheffield.
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