Sheffield Steelers head coach Aaron Fox confirms players staying and going for 2020-21 Elite League campaign

British pair Robert Dowd and Davey Phillips are both, as expected, returning for the final year of their two-year deals, with import defenceman James Bettauer also back in the fold.

The news comes less than 12 hours after the departure of GB international defenceman Ben O’Connor was confirmed by the club, a development that would have stunned a sizeable chunk of the club’s fanbase.

After a frustrating couple of seasons, teenage forward Kieran Brown is following O’Connor through the exit door having seen his request to be released granted by the club. Cole Shudra and Alex Graham - who didn’t get picked in the CHL Import Draft earlier this week - will both be on two-way deals with NIHL National neighbours, Sheffield Steeldogs.

On the exit of O’Connor - who is being linked him with a number of EIHL rivals, including Nottingham Panthers and Guildford Flames - Fox said: “It’s an unfortunate part of the hockey business when a player leaves a club, especially one who has been in Sheffield for so long.

“Unfortunately, terms couldn’t be agreed and we have both decided to move on.”

Brown’s departure - at his own request - will disappoint fans and it remains to be seen what his next move will be, either by going to a rival Elite League club or returning to the NIHL National, where he spent the majority of last season on a two-way with neighbouring Sheffield Steeldogs before suffering a wrist injury in January.

Fox said: “We wish Kieran the best of luck moving forward and hope his career develops in the right direction.”

Dowd’s 2019-20 was ultimately left to prove a frustrating one after he suffered serious shoulder injury in December, with further complications meaning he sat out the remainder of the season.

But the 32-year-old GB international winger is now fully recovered and is just waiting along with everybody else to hear when the season may get underway, the EIHL not having shifted from their hoped-for starting date of early October with a season-opening Magic Weekend event at the National Ice Centre in Nottingham.

“It was obviously frustrating sitting in the stands for the second half of last season,” said Dowd. “But with great help from the club’s medical staff I’m back fighting fit and lifting the same weights I would have been if the injury had not of happened.

“Like all players I’m just sitting at home waiting for the green light to get back to the rink and start skating.”

For Fox, having Dowd back in the line-up was like having an extra new signing.

“He brings speed and tenacity, he is hard on pucks and in my opinion is the best British player in the league,” said Fox. “He is a shoot-first player and those are hard to find. Having him back will be like signing a new player.”

Fox was also clearly delighted to have Dowd’s GB team-mate Phillips back on the blue line for a sixth season at the FlyDSA Arena.

“Davey plays such a solid, smart, physical game,” beamed Fox. “He keeps the game extremely simple and is willing to be that team first stay-at-home D-man, so others can be rewarded.

“Winning teams need a guy like Davey in their line-up. He also keeps the locker room in good spirits as he’s quite a funny character and I’m really glad we have him back for another year.

“We are building a squad to compete for trophies and knowing these guys are back under contract is a good feeling.”

The Steelers are expected to make further signing news later today.

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