Aaron Fox still hopeful Sheffield Steelers will ice in early 2021 as players start to attract offers

Yesterday saw the Elite League suspend its season further, after all 10 teams agreed they could not commit to the planned start in early December with current social distancing rules relating to Covid-19 preventing crowds from attending any games.

With no lucrative TV deal or major sponsorship in place, teams rely heavily on matchnight revenues, meaning some would find it virtually impossible to survive were a normal season to go ahead.

There remains, however, a determination – at least on the part of some team owners – to try and stage competitive hockey from late January onwards

Were that to happen and government guidance were to change to allow at least 75 per cent capacity crowds, it is still unlikely all 10 teams will take part, with Fife Flyers and Dundee Stars stating later on yesterday that they were now turning their attentions to the 2021-22 season.

Tuesday’s news may intensify attempts by players – both British and imports – to find work elsewhere but, as Fox has previously stated,

Steelers’ coach Fox, however, is clinging to the hope he will be able to get behind the bench again in early 2021.

“Having some kind of hockey has got to be better than nothing at all,” said Fox.“I think suspending the season is the better option as it seems there is more hope that way.”

“But I think what fans have to realise is that the owners are doing everything in their best interests of their organisation to be able to go at some point.”

In terms of the Steelers’ players, and those around the rest of the league, there are some big decisions to be made in the coming weeks.

Fox revealed earlier this month that some players had asked him to make enquries on their behalf about jobs elsewhere in Europe. But with so many leagues in limbo still - including the DEL and DEL 2, for example - there are not enough jobs to go around for the growing number of players that are looking for them.

Fox said some Steelers’ players had been made offers but had turned them down.

“There have been a couple of our guys who have had opportunities at this stage,” added Fox. “But they just didn’t like that particular job that was available.

“It is always going to just depend on what each guy is looking for and if they are willing to wait it out or go.

“There might be some guys who want to wait until November or December and see where things are at here and if our league ever, officially gets cancelled.

“It’s never easy, especially for the players. They are the ones who are really struggling until next August or September, waiting and trying to find something else to do.

“There are not a lot of jobs available.”

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