SLAVA KOULIKOV believes Sheffield Steeldogs have found the ideal replacement for import forward Bair Gendunov after landing Canadian Dante Salituro.

Gendunov proved a sensational addition to the roster in 2025-26, posting 107 points - including 54 goals - in just 58 league, Cup and play-off games.

He was set to return for a second season in NIHL National with the Steeldogs but, last week, it was announced he would not be back having taken up a job opportunity outside of the sport back home in Canada.

In Salituro - who has put up impressive figures on both sides of the Atlantic - the Steeldogs are confident they have a player who can also contribute plenty offensively.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING: Head coach Slava Koulikov says it was important for Sheffield Steeldogs to land a high-end replacement for last season's top points-scorer Bair Gendunov, who has taken up a job opportunity outside of hockey back in Canada. Picture: Steeldogs Media.

placeholder image — TIMING IS EVERYTHING: Head coach Slava Koulikov says it was important for Sheffield Steeldogs to land a high-end replacement for last season's top points-scorer Bair Gendunov, who has taken up a job opportunity outside of hockey back in Canada. Picture: Steeldogs Media.

The 29-year-old, from Ontario, arrives in South Yorkshire having spent last season in France’s Ligue Magnus with Chamonix where he scored eight goals and 21 assists in 50 appearances.

Prior to that he also played in Finland’s Liiga, Slovakia’s Extraliga, Poland’s top-tier, Norway and Germany’s third division.

Prior to switching to Europe, he had been prolific in his junior career with Ottawa 67s before four seasons primarily in the ECHL after he turned pro, his standout year coming in 2018-19 when he top-scored for the Allen Americans with 22 goals and 39 goals in 66 games.

Ahead of this weekend’s pre-season double-header games against NIHL National rivals Solway, Koulikov said: “We watched a lot of videos on Sal, we all know what kind of CV he's got, and we are confident he will be a great replacement for Bair.

“Obviously he will bring his own game. He's fast, he skates really well, he shoots well, his hockey IQ is really high, and obviously his record in the leagues that he played in Europe and back in North America speaks for itself.

“So I think we've got the right guy for our team.”

On not having Gendunov for a second season, having seen him make such a positive impact – including scoring the game-winning overtime goal in the National Cup final against Leeds Knights – Koulikov added: “Bair was a huge player for us.

“Obviously, we wanted to keep him and he was committed to coming back here, but life outside of hockey offered him a really great opportunity.

“As much as it was obviously not that great for us, it's really good for Bair, and we wish him all the best.”

“Sometimes it works in your favour to leave it for a bit and in July or August look for that last import.

“You're looking, you're thinking, you're watching the tape, but again, I think it was probably more down to the calibre of player we lost because we needed to make sure we got a really good replacement for Bair.

“I thought it would be a little bit easier, but we managed to get it right.”

After this weekend’s pre-season tune-up against Solway – who play host first this Saturday – the Steeldogs face two further challenge games against Yorkshire rivals, Leeds Knights, travelling to West Yorkshire on September 12 before playing host to Ryan Aldridge’s team 24 hours later.

Having picked up the National Cup trophy in Kouliov's first season in charge, the Steeldogs will be keen to maintain their winning momentum and will again be among the leading candidates for honours.

Koulikov, who has also added forward Michael Pelech and goaltender Shane Owen as new imports – both playing in the Elite League last season – believes he has put together a roster which has dealt with the areas of concern he had.

“There were a few points that were identified during the season, and in fact, even before the season started last year,” he added.

"I wanted to add in certain areas. Again, some guys are retiring, some guys are moving on and there are different reasons.

“Then I think, obviously throughout the season, looking at the games and knowing what we were good at and seeing a couple of things you would like to improve – technically, tactically, special teams.

" I think we tried to cover those areas to make sure that this season we are going to be good in those areas.”

Yorkshire rivals Leeds and Hull Seahawks are also in action this weekend, facing off against each other on Sunday night in Hull (6pm).

That comes after both have played at home to Netherlands’ Tilburg Trappers – Leeds first up on Friday (7pm) before Hull play host the following day (5.30pm).