Proud Ben Morgan steps down as Sheffield Steeldogs' player-coach

The 33-year-old defenceman has today stepped down after three-and-a-half years in the player-coach role, citing growing work and family commitments for his decision.

But it won’t be the end of Morgan’s time at Ice Sheffield, as he will continue to play on for the NIHL National club.

The Steeldogs expect to announce Morgan’s successor in the next 48 hours, although it remains unclear at the moment whether the new coach will have a campaign to prepare for, NIHL National clubs still having to decide on if and when they go ahead with a delayed regular season in late January.

Morgan succeeded Greg Wood as player-coach in the summer of 2017, taking over with the second tier of the English game in some turmoil, the English Premier Ice Hockey League (EPIHL) had recently collapsed and was replaced with the stop-gap measure that was North and South 1.

It was during those two seasons in charge that Morgan probably enjoyed his most successful spell as coach, at least in terms of silverware, winning the regular season North One title first time out, before lifting the North Cup the following year.

Key to Morgan’s entire tenure, though, was his belief in bringing through homegrown talent, most of it the product of the highly-regarded Sheffield hockey academy.

“As a coach, I have prided myself on continuing to raise the standards of the club both on and off-ice,” explained Morgan. “I would like to think we are in a stronger position to continue to develop into a team who are challenging for honours, while ensuring our ethos of developing homegrown talent is never compromised.

“The last four years have been the proudest of my career and I’m extremely grateful for having had the opportunity to lead our club on the ice.

“At a time where my work commitments are as demanding as ever and with a young family to raise and support, something ultimately had to give, unfortunately this has to be hockey.

“The role of head coach requires 100 per cent time, commitment and effort, and to give anything less would be doing the players, management and fans a disservice, something I am not willing to do.”

Morgan most recently showed his impressive leadership skills on and off the ice during the behind-closed-doors Streaming Series, which saw his Steeldogs finish 'top' of the unofficial standings by winning three of their four games when going up against NIHL National rivals Milton Keynes and Swindon.

Because the coronavirus pandemic continues to prevent fans in Tier 3 areas such as Sheffield from attending in person, all games were streamed online and it is believed a similar model of asking fans to buy tickets to watch on the internet will be broadened to all the second tier clubs who are to be involved in any kind of shortened campaign, should it get the green light.

Steeldogs co-owner, Ali Cree, was quick to praise the impact and lasting influence of Morgan.

“His standards on and off the ice helped us excel and his belief in developing young, British talent and giving them opportunities as part of our squad and the prospect programme was always exceptional,” said Cree, whose fellow owner Roger Williams added: “What stands out to me is his commitment.

“Whether that’s blocking shots on the ice, preparing for games or doing interviews just minutes after leaving the ice, Morgs always gives 100 per cent and does whatever the club needs.”