Ben O'Connor pledges future to Sheffield Steelers

The 28-year-old defenceman – currently on duty with the Great Britain national team at the World Championships in Belfast – has signed a new, two-year deal which will keep him at the club until the end of the 2018-2019 season.

The talented left-hander first moved to Sheffield in the middle of the 2014015 season having spent the previous two-and-a-half years with Arlan Kokshetau in Kazakhstan, his move there being secured after playing for a year in France for Morzine-Avoriaz.

Thompson, who previously coached O’Connor for both Coventry Blaze and GB before being reunited with him in South Yorkshire, rates him as one of the best all-round defenceman in the league.

“He wants more and more responsibility and has worked incredibly hard to achieve that,”said Thompson.

“He is without doubt one of the top all-round defencemen in the Elite League. He is one of the key signings we had to make this summer, we wanted him long term and we have got our man.

“Every day he wants to get better. He stays behind on the ice pushing himself and of course when people like him do that it pushes those around him to do the same

“We talk about the core group when every signing to date has been made. It is crucial and Benny is right at the very heart of that – we are all thrilled to have him staying with us.”

O’Connor, who agreed the deal during the 2016-17 season, said the club’s recent play-off success - added to the two league titles won since his arrival in South Yorkshire – had just made him hungry for more success.

“Sheffield’s my home and this is my club,” said O’Connor. “Even though I had already signed this contract, the experience of the play-offs just brought it home to me how good it is here and how I want more of the same with the great group we have here.

“There is no better feeling than knowing we are settled here long term. This is the place to be, the place to play.”