Coach Aaron Fox still ticks all the boxes for Sheffield Steelers’ boss Tony Smith

As it stands at the moment, the EIHL intends to return in December but, with each passing week, signs seem to be emerging that the season will indeed be cancelled.

With little movement in terms of a relaxing of social distancing measures from the government, it is unlikely to be spectators allowed to in to watch games, certainly not in the kind of numbers that EIHL team owners need in order to make going ahead with the campaign financially viable.

Last week it emerged several teams – including Cardiff Devils and Manchester Storm – had told players already signed up for 2020-21 they were free to explore other options.

On Sunday, Hull-born GB international defenceman Steve Lee – perhaps with one eye on next year’s World Championships – exited Guildford Flames in order to sign up with Pustertal/Val Pusteria in the Italian AlpsHL which is scheduled to start its campaign on October 3.

September 15 is the date the EIHL have given themselves until to make a decision on whether a December start is possible but, even if the regular season is delayed until 2021-22, Smith is comfortable in the knowledge he has, in head coach and GM Aaron Fox, the best man for the job.

In his first season, Fox led the Steelers to the only available trophy when ending the club’s 17-year wait to lift the Challenge Cup and Smith believes that is only the start.

“In this business, there are a lot of good talkers but I like people who can actually do it and Aaron definitely ticked that box for us last year,” said Smith.

“He was the perfect fit for the Steelers in terms of the situation we were in.

“The key to this job is finding a coach with enthusiasm, with drive, with ability and with the man-management skills and Aaron ticks all of those boxes.

“He was full of so many great ideas and told us what he could do for the club and that’s not changed. Aaron gets job offers coming out of his ears, but he’s clear he wants to stays in Sheffield and I’m very pleased Aaron he is going nowhere.

“If we don’t play next season then he’ll still have two years on his contract, we’ve agreed that.”

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James Mitchinson