Brendan Connolly happy embracing different challenges with Sheffield Steelers and GB

THERE were many reasons for Brendan Connolly to be cheerful at Sheffield Steelers last season – not least because he ended the campaign as their top points scorer.
Brendan Connolly finished as top points-scorer for Sheffield Steelers in 2019-20. Picture: Dean Woolley.Brendan Connolly finished as top points-scorer for Sheffield Steelers in 2019-20. Picture: Dean Woolley.
Brendan Connolly finished as top points-scorer for Sheffield Steelers in 2019-20. Picture: Dean Woolley.

Throw in a first Challenge Cup title in 17 years for a club starved of success for two seasons and it is easy to see why the 34-year-old Canadian-born forward would want to return for a second campaign in South Yorkshire.

Given the uncertainty surrounding the sport at the moment over when and if the 
2020-21 campaign gets underway due to the coronavirus pandemic, it remains to be seen if Connolly does in fact skate out in a Steelers jersey again.

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He certainly enjoyed his time at the FlyDSA Arena, head coach Aaron Fox was more than happy having him around and he quickly established himself as a firm fans’ favourite, meaning his return would be no great surprise should hockey indeed resume within a practical timeframe.

Brendan Connolly finally got to skate out on the international stage with Great Britain in this year's Olympic Qualifiers in Nottingham. Picture: Dean Woolley.Brendan Connolly finally got to skate out on the international stage with Great Britain in this year's Olympic Qualifiers in Nottingham. Picture: Dean Woolley.
Brendan Connolly finally got to skate out on the international stage with Great Britain in this year's Olympic Qualifiers in Nottingham. Picture: Dean Woolley.

Coming into the season Connolly knew he was joining one of the Elite League’s most demanding teams in terms of success, but that was something he was more than happy to embrace.

And, under the direction of Fox, he took great satisfaction in producing what he felt was a more balanced game with Steelers, something he had gotten away from in previous seasons.

In Connolly, a physical, niggly thorn in the side for all opponents, Fox knew he had a player who could rely on in any situation and the GB international – he qualifies through his father being born in the UK – was happy to take up the challenge.

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“I told Foxy last summer that I had always stressed the importance, for myself, I always want to be on the ice, no matter the situation,” said Connolly, from his South Carolina home to where he returned earlier than expected when the EIHL season was abruptly ended because of coronavirus.

Brendan Connolly proved a constant thorn in the side of ELite League opponents all season. Picture: Dean Woolley.Brendan Connolly proved a constant thorn in the side of ELite League opponents all season. Picture: Dean Woolley.
Brendan Connolly proved a constant thorn in the side of ELite League opponents all season. Picture: Dean Woolley.

“I definitely killed more penalties last season than I did in the previous two or three years. If the team needs a big penalty kill or if they need a 6-on-5 defend with just a one-goal lead, I want to be that guy on the ice, the guy who is making the plays.

“So you have to find ways to round your game out and Foxy gave me those responsibilities right away which meant I had a different, more balanced role last season.

“There probably wasn’t so much offensive stuff, although that did seem to take care of itself, but he gave me more responsibility defensively and being more responsible in my own zone.

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“You take the challenge that is given you and I think it worked out really well.”

MAGIC MOMENT: Brendan Connolly scores from a penalty shot in the Challenge Cup FInal against Cardiff Devils, the Steelers winning 4-3. Picture: EIHL.MAGIC MOMENT: Brendan Connolly scores from a penalty shot in the Challenge Cup FInal against Cardiff Devils, the Steelers winning 4-3. Picture: EIHL.
MAGIC MOMENT: Brendan Connolly scores from a penalty shot in the Challenge Cup FInal against Cardiff Devils, the Steelers winning 4-3. Picture: EIHL.

Aside from his obvious enjoyment at how things went for the Steelers, one of the personal highlights of the season for Connolly came when he finally got the chance to play a competitive fixture in GB colours under his former Glasgow Clan coach, Pete Russell.

GB failed to make it beyond the Olympic qualifier in Nottingham in February – losing on the final day to Hungary – but, for Connolly it was a moment he had been waiting for longer than most on the hosts’ roster, having been ruled out through injury for the previous year’s memorable return to the World Championship top flight.

“It is one of the fondest memories of my entire hockey career,” added Connolly, who posted a goal and an assist in three games.

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“We did a lot of good things I’m proud of. Being able to play at international level for GB was an honour, a huge opportunity – as a player you always want to play against the best in the world and see how your game stacks up.”

FAITH: Sheffield Steelers' head coach and GM, Aaron Fox, was happy to give Brendan Connolly extra responsibilites during the 2019-20 campaign. Picture: Dean Woolley.FAITH: Sheffield Steelers' head coach and GM, Aaron Fox, was happy to give Brendan Connolly extra responsibilites during the 2019-20 campaign. Picture: Dean Woolley.
FAITH: Sheffield Steelers' head coach and GM, Aaron Fox, was happy to give Brendan Connolly extra responsibilites during the 2019-20 campaign. Picture: Dean Woolley.

Like everybody else involved in the GB programme, Connolly was gutted when this year’s World Championships in Switzerland were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

But he remains hopeful that 2021 will be third time lucky on the world stage, maybe with another stellar season with the Steelers behind him.

“I was really looking forward to it and we had an exhibition game against Canada lined up too which a lot of guys were excited about,” he said. “But these are crazy times for a lot of people. It was unfortunate but, hopefully, I will get another chance at it – it is one of the things I am looking forward to a lot next season.

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“I’ve just got to train hard this summer, stay healthy and put the best version of myself out there to give myself a shot to be on the team and make sure I can be there next year.”

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BIG CHANCE: Brendan Connolly, second left, chats with GB head coach PEte Russell in practice ahead of this year's Olympic Qualifiers in Nottingham. Picture: Dean Woolley.BIG CHANCE: Brendan Connolly, second left, chats with GB head coach PEte Russell in practice ahead of this year's Olympic Qualifiers in Nottingham. Picture: Dean Woolley.
BIG CHANCE: Brendan Connolly, second left, chats with GB head coach PEte Russell in practice ahead of this year's Olympic Qualifiers in Nottingham. Picture: Dean Woolley.

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