Goertzen not sure when he will be ready to ice with Steelers

SHEFFIELD Steelers acting player-coach Steven Goertzen admits he is in the dark over his possible return to the ice.
Sheffield Steelers' acting player-coach Steven Goertzen.Sheffield Steelers' acting player-coach Steven Goertzen.
Sheffield Steelers' acting player-coach Steven Goertzen.

The 29-year-old stepped up to the new role after the shock sacking of head coach Doug Christiansen earlier this month by owner Tony Smith.

The Steelers are expected to announce a replacement for Christiansen later this week, initially until the end of the current season. Former Cardiff Devils coach Gerad Adams is favourite to return to the club he played defence for between 2003-05.

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Goertzen had barely settled into his new, albeit temporary, role before he found himself on the sidelines after suffering a heavy concussion during a 3-2 defeat at Cardiff just days after his coach’s surprise exit.

Former Steelers’ assistant coach Neil Abel was brought in by Smith to help while Goertzen recovered at home.

Goertzen did not make the trip to Braehead Clan to witness his side’s impressive 6-3 victory on Saturday night but, 24 hours later, the Canadian was suited up and behind the Steelers’ bench for the home game against arch-rivals Nottingham Panthers.

The night ended in a 3-1 defeat for the home side at the Motorpoint Arena – the fourth straight loss to their fiercest rivals – and Goertzen admitted afterwards he does not know when he will be back out on the ice playing alongside his team-mates.

“I’m taking things day by day at the moment,” he added.

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“I’m not saying that I didn’t enjoy it on the bench, I did. But I still have that passion to be on the ice with the players.

“It’s tough being away from that and I know they have had a hard schedule this week.

“I think it’s a little bit early to start talking about return dates – I’m just trying to take it slow right now and making sure I’m right.

“I obviously want to get back as soon as I can and help all the guys out but, at the same time, it has got to be right.”

The Steelers have an early opportunity to atone for Sunday’s defeat to Nottingham when they travel to the National Ice Centre this Saturday.