Davey Phillips marks new Sheffield Steelers deal in winning style

The 29-year-old Hull-born defenceman had no hesitation in signing for another year under Steelers’ head coach Paul Thompson, and is hoping to add a league title to the play-off trophy he lifted at the end of the 2016-17 campaign.

Along with fellow Steelers’ team-mates Jon Phillips, Ben O’Connor and Robert Dowd – who was awarded a special 50th cap on Monday – Phillips is currently in Belfast with the Great Britain team as they look for the gold medal that will bring them promotion back to Division 1A.

On Monday night, Phillips was on hand to score the second goal for the hosts as they eased to a 5-1 win over Estonia at Belfast’s SSE Arena.

Phillips arrived in South Yorkshire last year after spending a season with Manchester Storm and said he felt his game had stepped up since coming in to work under Thompson, someone he worked with before both at Coventry Blaze and on international duty with GB when the Steelers’ boss was the national coach.

“It’s been one of the most fun and enjoyable years I’ve had in my professional career, to be honest,” said Phillips.

“Any time you taste success like we did in the play-offs, it always leaves you hungry for more and I’m sure next season our main focus will be getting our hands on that league title again.

“I felt my game went back to where I know it can be this season, they are a great bunch of guys and I really enjoy playing for Thommo and Jerry. If you’re going into work and you’re enjoying your work, you perform better at your job.”

Thompson never had any doubts about asking Phillips back for a second season.

“Davey is solid and reliable,” said Thompson. “He soon bought into our ways here in Sheffield and on and off the ice he has become an important member of the club.

“I don’t think there was ever a chance we wouldn’t ask him to remain with us and we are delighted he accepted.”

On the ice in Belfast, GB seem locked in a three-way fight for the gold after their second successive win.

The win over Estonia leaves Pete Russell’s team level on points with rivals Japan and Lithuania following the opening two rounds.

GB’s first serious test looks likely to come on Wednesday when they face Lithuania.

The hosts raced into a 2-0 first period lead against Estonia through goals from Mark Garside and Steelers’ defenceman Phillips.

Roman Andrejev tipped in on the powerplay just before the halfway point to halve the deficit, but three goals in as many minutes early on in the third sealed the three points on offer.

Liam Stewart’s 42nd-minute strike was quickly followed by others for David Clarke and Matthew Myers.

“Estonia gave us a tough game but the deeper the game went, I thought we looked the fresher team,” said head coach Russell.

“There’s a long way to go in this tournament but we have made a very good start.”