Adams’ delight at landing Hay for Steelers

The defending play-off champions have signed experience defenceman Darrell Hay to their ranks, someone Adams believes could prove to be one of the league’s top blue-liners during the 2014-15 campaign.

“All summer I have made it clear that I wanted a highly skilled, right-handed D-man” said Adams “Darrell Hay is the player we have been looking for.”

“He ticks all the boxes for me. He will be key on the power play and I think one of the better defencemen in the Elite league next year.

“He is coming here at the right point of his career, he wants to win and I think another player of his caliber joining us helps us in that department”

Hay was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in 1999 and turned professional the year after playing for Florida Everblades.

The 34-year-old has more than 100 AHL games under his belt and, after spells with Idaho Steelheads and Columbia Inferno in the ECHL, he moved to Europe where he played in Germany, Norway, Czechoslovakia and Italy.

Last season Hay played in Japan for Tohoku Free Blades, coincidentallty the same team that former Steelers’ defenceman Steve Munn iced for in 2009-10.

“We require one more D man,” added Adams.

“For that position we are looking for some size and presence.

“We have made an offer to a player who we feel meets our requirements and hope to hear shortly. I hope to have my roster complete within the next few days as we are close to signing our final forward as well.”