Munn hopes to be part of Steelers' winning formula

The 31-year-old defenceman helped Steelers secure the league and play-off double last year, ending his second season with the club in style before agreeing a move to the Tohoku Free Blades in Japan.

But after just one season with the newly-formed franchise in the Asia League, Munn has decided he can't resist the charms South Yorkshire has to offer and admits he is glad to be going 'home'.

"I have loved Japan, the whole experiance has been amazing, the people, the lifestyle, the move is something I am pleased I did," said Munn.

"However, Sheffield is home to me and my family. In all my years of playing I have never felt so happy and comfortable at a place, never felt so connected with the club and the fans and never felt such an integral part of a winning team.

"My whole family is looking forward to coming back - I'm coming back to win."

Munn said he had been following Steelers' fortunes since his departure in the summer and believes they can spring a surprise in the post-season play-offs by capturing it for a third straight year, despite a disappointing regular season campaign which saw them surrender their league title with little fight.

"I have genuinely been saddened by the results the boys have had," added Munn, who scored in last year's 2-0 play-off final victory against Nottingham at the NIC.

"Coming off the two great seasons we had was always going to be tough and knowing the guys inside the room I know how much they will be hurting.

"I also know that they will die trying come play off time and I certainly wouldn't write them off, they know how to win."

For Steelers' head coach Dave Matsos, who has come in for some stinging criticism this season, it marks a second pivotal signing in readiness for the 2010-11 campaign, coming a short while after Rod Sarich agreed to a sixth season with the club.

Munn's return will also add the kind of on-ice presence which Matsos admits has perhaps been missing from his defence this year.

He added: "We have signed a real man, a leader, a general and I couldn't be happier to have him back on the ice and inside our dressing room.

"You can't describe what he brings to a team, then again maybe you can when you have seen what we have been missing this season."

Steelers - who lost 5-4 at Coventry Blaze and 3-2 at home to Hull after overtime last weekend - head into the final weekend of the regular season still hoping to secure fifth spot, while Coventry, Belfast Giants and Nottingham Panthers fight it out to see who inherits their Elite League title.

Nothing would give Steelers greater pleasure if they could end Panthers' outside hopes of landing the league title when the two sides meet at Sheffield Arena on Saturday night.

That could have all been taken care of by then, however, if Edinburgh Capitals - the team who can beat Steelers to fifth - beat Nottingham on Wednesday, but then lose at Coventry on Thursday night. That would leave a straight fight between Blaze and Belfast - scheduled to meet at the Skydome Arena on Sunday - unless Coventry also win in Edinburgh on Saturday and therefore clinch the title.

Steelers finish the season on the road on Sunday at bottom club Hull Stingrays, who carry an impressive run of form into the play-offs.