Tim Smith hoping Sheffield Steeldogs and NIHL National get further chance to showcase British talent

Smith was part of the Sheffield Steeldogs team which emerged top of the three-team tournament, winning three of their four games, all of which were played behind-closed-doors because of the ongoing social distancing measures necessary to combat the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and which prevented fans from attending.

All games between the Steeldogs, Milton Keynes Lightning and Swindon Wildcats were streamed live online, with an average of around 1,000 tickets per game sold to fans, starved of hockey on these shores since Covid-19 brought last season to an early end in March.

Now NIHL National team owners are discussing ways of returning in early 2021 with some kind of a league programme involving more of their number, if not all 10 teams, including Steeldogs' Yorkshire rivals Leeds Chiefs and Hull Pirates.

And veteran defenceman Smith is hoping his eighth successive season with his hometown club heralds much more ice time, giving all teams further opportunity to showcase the widespread talent on display.

“It was a pleasure to have been a part of the Streaming Series, showcasing British talent as it did across all three weekends,” said 32-year-old Smith, who had to step up as stand-in captain after fellow defenceman Lewis Bell suffered a serious shoulder injury in the opening game.

“The focal point for British ice hockey is the Elite League because they are bringing in guys who, in some cases, have played in the NHL at one time, they are attracting guys over here with AHL resumes and cvs.

“But the sport here is about more than that. This league is where all the young British talent is nurtured. If you look throughout the Steelers roster over the years, Robert Dowd started at Sheffield, Ben O’Connor came through the junior ranks here, Liam Kirk, now playing his trade over in Sweden and was drafted into the NHL, he started here and quickly went on to join the Steelers.

“But this is where the foundations are built, this league is where the growth comes from and if you want to see guys who will maybe be in the EIHL in four or five years’ time this is where it all starts for them.”

Smith, has proved a model of consistency since returning to Ice Sheffield back in 2013 and, along with the likes of GB international Ben O’Connor and Steeldogs’ player-coach Ben Morgan - both fellow defencemen - is happy to bring through the Steel City’s next generation, with the likes of Alex Graham, Jack Brammer and Nathan Ripley among the latest to burst on to the scene.

“I love helping the young guys, I’m all for it,” added Smith. “Now that I am one of the older guys, one of the reasons I enjoy being here is watching these young lads develop.

“My little lad has got a picture of Liam Kirk on his wall and I played with Liam for a bit here - he hasn’t got a poster of me on his wall, but that’ll be because Kirky scores goals, I just chip and chase, more of an assists man!

“At the end of the day, this is a development league - that is the keyword for this league, development - we want to see guys develop.

“With the talent that is on show, it is a very competitive league and an ideal environment for young guys to learn their trade, learn what it is about to become an athlete, to play systems, and develop the discipline needed to become a successful hockey player.”