Finner completes Steelers roster

I woke up with excitement today as I came to realise that its less then a month to the start of the 2011/12 hockey season, I dont know about you but I can not wait to sit in the arena seats, the smell of the crisp fresh ice, the tingling of excitement seeing the players warm up to some of the best atmospheric songs and most of all being part of such a great family of fans!

You can tell that the off season is drawing to a close as the Sheffield Steelers a long with many other Elite league teams have completed their 2011/12 roster. We completed the roster with two D-men who I think you will be very happy to see on our Ice.

Matt Stephenson is one of the players that complete the team. Matt is 27 and comes from Midland, Ontario. He has come to Sheffield from the AHL (American hockey league) team Texas Stars. He is a stay at home D-man who handles the game very well no matter what is thrown at him. Matt is also a tough player on the ice and is known to jump to the defence of a fellow team mate many times. I reckon that Matt has what it takes to become a great Steelers player and I'm sure that his personality will make him a favourite with the fans!



Matt Stephenson (from prohockeynews)

 The other player who has graced our arena is Steve Birnstill who for the past three seasons has been playing in Denmark for Frederikshavn and Esbjerg. He is a great offensive D-man so I am sure he will bring a lot to the table for the Sheffield Steelers. 

The patience of coach Ryan Finnerty has payed off as I believe our team this year will be stronger then ever. You look at them all and you can see how they will all fit in and work together on the ice. The teams chemistry on the ice will be unbelievable and the style of play will be very different to that of the Steelers in previous seasons.

Just going off the subject of hockey for a minute as this weekend I have spend four days doing my Gold DofE (Duke of Edinburgh award) expedition in the yorkshire dales. Having to walk about 24k a day with all my camping gear was a killer but it was worth all the pain as the views were stunning and I met so many nice people!

Now if you know me you will know that this will some how relate to hockey and you are correct to think that! When I complete my award I get to go to Edinburgh or London to see the Duke himself to collect my award and well I was thinking that if I finish my award during hockey season and there is an away game in Scotland I might just arrange  it so I get my award at Edinburgh then go and watch a hockey game! I know its a little sad to think that way but I can't help it, hockey is in my blood!