'˜No-nonsense' Tim Wallace adds power to Sheffield Steelers' ranks

TIm Wallace. Picture provided by Sheffield Steelers.

Forward Tim Wallace joins Jonas Westerling and Mark Matheson as the most recent additions to the Steelers’ roster as the South Yorkshire club goes all out to regain the Elite League title they have won five times previously.

The three signings show the Steelers follow Monday’s shock announcement that forward Guillaume Desbiens would not be returning to the club for 2017-18 as first thought after he announced his retirement due to an employment opportunity outside the game emerging back home in Canada.

Thompson, meanwhile, has continued to press on with his recruitment plans and is gradually putting all the pieces in place for when his team returns to action in August.

Wallace will arrive at Sheffield Arena with 101 NHL appearances to his name, along with more than 380 games in the AHL. The American makes the switch to the Steelers after a year in the East Coast Hockey League with Alaska Aces, but he is no stranger to European hockey having also spent time in Germany and Sweden in recent years.

“It is an impressive resume and I guess it speaks for itself,” said Thompson.

“I wanted a big power forward who was a right-handed shot and Tim fitted the bill perfectly. This is a guy who plays hard, finishes his hits, goes to the net and has a big shot. He is a no-nonsense player, but he also backs it up with a good skill set.

“He led Orebro in scoring back in 2014 in the SHL. I don’t want to build him, I don’t think there is any need. You can see we have signed a quality player.”

Wallace said he had done his homework on the Steelers, having talked with previous players he has played with elsewhere, and was impressed with the feedback he got back.

“I spoke with Paul Thompson and we went backwards and forwards, I liked his style and what he had to say.

“I’m a two-way player, I can make plays and score while knowing my role. I’ve played 10 years pro so I’m an experienced guy. After playing in the NHL I moved to Sweden, I wanted to play in the big leagues in Europe and I’ve done that. Sweden, Germany and now England.”