HAVING lit up the Elite League with Guildford Flames over the last three seasons, forward Ryan Tait is hoping to increase his impact on the UK’s top-flight with Sheffield Steelers.

Tait has played over 200 games for the Flames scoring 79 goals and 195 points but having seen long-serving captain Brett Ferguson move on last week, clearly felt the time was also right for him to move on.

With Aaron Fox spending the summer ahead putting together a roster he hoppes will see the Steelers recapture the the three titles it surrendered in 2024-25, adding Tait to his list of options was one he felt was too good to turn down.

A long-time fan of the quick transition that Guildford have possessed in recent years under head coach Paul Dixon, Fox is relieved to be able to plan for games against the Flames with Tait on his side rather than figuring out how to stop him.

BIG SWITCH: Ryan Tait has made the move from Guildford Flames to Elite League rivals Sheffield Steelers for the 2025-26 season. Picture: Dean Woolley/Steelers Media.

“Ryan is a guy I have really liked since he came to the UK and has always had our attention when game-planning for match-ups against Guildford,” said Fox after adding the 28-year-old American to his team.

“He’s a guy that can absolutely fly. I think with how we play he will really excel in our structure and give us some speed down the right side. He can play in all situations and we have heard he’s a great team-first guy as well.

“I think with him and Mikko Juusola, that probably gives us two of the three fastest players in the league. I’m expecting him to be a really exciting player for us.”

In 204 games for the Flames, Tait proved a hugely influential figure, posting 79 goals and 116 assists for a points haul of 195.

Prior to his time in Guildford, Ryan played three years in France, the last of those with Cergy-Pontoise in France’s top-flight where he was a team-mate of Steelers’ defenceman, Brien Diffley, who made the switch to South Yorkshire in 2023.

“I have had a great experience and wonderful time in Guildford,” saidf Tait. “I had fantastic team-mates and was treated super well but, after three years, it is time to move on to a new challenge

“I was excited about the move and the chance to play in Sheffield - my talks with Aaron were positive from the start.

“I’m looking forward to August and meeting up with my new team-mates, many of whom I have played against and a couple I know really well.”

'He can absolutely fly' - Sheffield Steelers boss Aaron Fox on the positives of new signing Ryan Tait