Hard work already underway as Sheffield Steelers prepare for another crack at Europe's elite

The experienced head coach was part of the Steelers’ delegation in Switzerland on Tuesday afternoon when they discovered who they would be going up against as the Elite League’s sole representative in the competition.

Last year was a baptism of fire for the South Yorkshire club when they were drawn against eventual winners Frolunda, from Sweden, and Finland’s JYP Jyvaskyla.

Although they lost all four games in Group N, there was a noticeable improvement throughout the short campaign by Thompson’s team, who will hope to break their duck this time around after being drawn with another Swedish club in the shape of HV71 Jonkoping and Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg.

Thompson admitted his team were going to be in for another tough schedule, but was delighted at the chance to pit himself against some of the continent’s top teams.

“You are playing the cream of Europe with big budgets,” said Thompson. “They are the Real Madrids and Barcelonas of our sport, so it is a big ask. We are in the lap of the gods but we are not unhappy with our draw.

“We are all excited about the CHL. Just being at the draw yesterday with the other 47 clubs had my juices flowing.”

Thompson has plenty of experience of European hockey himself, having coached in Sweden and Denmark before returning to England to take over at Steelers.

And with new assistant coach Jerry Andersson also hailing from Sweden, Thompson feels well-equipped ahead going into the 2016-17 campaign.

“I know a little bit about HV71 because of my time in Sweden and my assistant coach is Swedish and coached and managed in Sweden for 30 years,” he added.

“We’ll get video of both teams and it is key that we get a good idea of how these people play. Salzburg have a new coach, for example, so that might change how they play.”

With another early start to the season, Thompson is already working long hours with Andersson to put together a roster that will challenge for honours once again.

“We are trying to retain our core because I believe the core is very important to longevity and understanding what we are about,” added Thompson.

“But we are in the process of recruiting right now. We know the type of guys in the positions we want - it’s just finding them.”

After the draw, the Steelers’ delegation met with their group opponents to begin thrashing out possible dates in late August for when the ties will be played.

“We talked at length with the two clubs we will be playing against,” said Thompson. “They are excited to be coming to Sheffield and Frolunda had already advised HV71 of what a terrific experience they had when they visited.

“Having spoken with the CHL and the two other clubs though we are confident of a good schedule for both the clubs and the fans.”