Ivan Björkly Nordström puts in the hard yards to earn Sheffield Steelers deal

For the past two years, the 6ft 5ins forward has been on a two-way agreement between the Steelers and NIHL National affiliate, Sheffield Steeldogs.

The majority of his ice time has been at NIHL National level since he moved to South Yorkshire in the summer of 2024 after a year at Peterborough Phantoms.

But the same move by head coach Slava Koulikov seems to have only helped speed up the improvement of Nordström more, leading to an increased amount of ice time with the Steelers.

And he clearly hasn’t wasted it, with Fox keen to make him a permanent member of his Elite League roster over the next two years.

He says it is just reward for the hard work the 23-year-old Edinburgh-born winger has put in since arriving in Sheffield, ion which time he has also earned himself a GB call-up for the European Cup of Nations tournament earlier this year.

Nordström is one of four British players announced by the Steelers on Friday, with young defenceman Liam Steele earning a one-year Steelers deal, while captain Robert Dowd’s new two-year deal came before the return of fellow forward Brandon Whistle for his third spell with the club on a deal which also sees him in place until the end of the 2027-28 season.

It remains to be seen what the plans are for fellow British players Cole Shudra and Reece Kelly, who have both at times this season found ice time hard to come by under Fox.

“We have Ivan pencilled in as one of our five (British players) which has been well earned,” said Steelers’ head coach Fox.

“Anyone watching the play-off final weekend, will have seen he was playing 15-plus a night, he was carrying clay at times.

“He has such a high ceiling with his size and skating ability, an outstanding shot. I think it's going to be a big year for him.”

Nordström maintained his scoring rate for the Steeldogs in his second season at Ice Sheffield, posting 22 goals and 36 assists in 41 league Cup and play-off games, while he recorded two goals and an assist for the Steelers in 29 appearances.

“He came in and paid his dues and developed really well,” added Fox. “There were some things that I feel like from day one when he got here that he needed to address and work on and he's done that.

“He's been a very responsible player, he's gained confidence on the puck at our level too - the puck’s been on his tape, he's been heavy on it, he's making plays, he's taken on those one-on-one battles and with his size and his skating ability, I feel like he's going to be a great player for years to come.”

Nordström believes his step up for the 2026-27 season is proof that the work being carried out between the two teams is a successful project.

“I think my progression shows that the link up between the Steelers and Steeldogs does work,” he said. “With the coaches seeing you in training every day, I think I am one of many who will make a similar step in the months and years ahead.

“I feel I’m ready to make the step after the two-way deal with the Steeldogs.”