Jonathan Phillips hoping Sheffield Steelers get chance to shine in Continental Cup

Yesterday, the International Ice Hockey Federation released details of the tournament, with the Steelers – qualified by virtue of winning last season’s Challenge Cup – scheduled to play in the group semi-final stage in Asiago, Italy between November 13-15.

But with the 2020-21 ice hockey season expected to be delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic - the Elite League has already put back the start of its campaign by a month until early October at the earliest – there is no guarantee when or if the Continental Cup will actually take place.

The Steelers have played six times in the competition previously, the last time being in 2017 when they progressed to the group final in Minsk, Belarus, where they finished third.

Their only known opponent at the moment are the hosts, Asiago, who they played against in the competition back in 2011-12 when, under then player-coach Ryan Finnerty, they lost 4-3 on a shootout as they finished bottom of the group.

The Steelers were quick to urge their fans via social media not to make any travel plans for the tournament, but Phillips said it was still exciting to hear about the draw.

“You’ve got to feel excited about it – playing in the Continental Cup is something I’ve really enjoyed doing over the years,” said the Steelers’ captain, who last season led the club to its first Challenge Cup triumph in 17 years.

“It’s obviously just a proposed date, given how everything is around the world and with sport in general, but you can only hope that it goes ahead.

“Whenever we have played in the Continental Cup, it’s given us a chance as players to match up against some really good teams from across Europe – it can provide a welcome diversion from the league and offers a different challenge.

“It’s always been one of those things that has been good for team bonding, too, as you get to spend a few days away together as a group which you don’t get much chance to do otherwise.”

Editor’s note: First and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

Postal subscription copies can be ordered by calling 0330 4030066 or by emailing [email protected]. Vouchers, to be exchanged at retail sales outlets - our newsagents need you, too - can be subscribed to by contacting subscriptions on 0330 1235950 or by visiting www.localsubsplus.co.uk where you should select The Yorkshire Post from the list of titles available.

If you want to help right now, download our tablet app from the App / Play Stores. Every contribution you make helps to provide this county with the best regional journalism in the country.

Sincerely. Thank you. James Mitchinson, Editor