Why Sheffield Steelers coach Aaron Fox was so quick to bring Tanner Eberle back for 2020-21 ELite League season

A WILLINGNESS to learn and become a ‘student of the game’ convinced Aaron Fox that forward Tanner Eberle was a ‘must’ when it came to putting his roster together for the 2020-21 Elite League campaign.
TAKE THAT: Tanner Eberle takes out Glasgow Clan's Linden Springer during an Elite League clash at Sheffield Arena last season. Picture: Dean Woolley.TAKE THAT: Tanner Eberle takes out Glasgow Clan's Linden Springer during an Elite League clash at Sheffield Arena last season. Picture: Dean Woolley.
TAKE THAT: Tanner Eberle takes out Glasgow Clan's Linden Springer during an Elite League clash at Sheffield Arena last season. Picture: Dean Woolley.

It may be some time before head coach Fox gets to see his team take to the ice for their first practice session – given the current social distancing restrictions in place for coronavirus the EIHL have pencilled in an early December start for league games – but he already has many key parts in place.

That was made obvious when, at the start of July, the Steelers announced a flurry of signings. One new arrival was revealed in the shape of defenceman Sam Jones, while the rest were all familiar faces.

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One of the most popular announcements made that day was that of Eberle, the 26-year-old winger from Regina, Saskatchewan who had agreed to return for a third season.

HARD AREAS: Tanner Eberle gets himself in the firing line against Guildford Flames. Picture: Dean Woolley.HARD AREAS: Tanner Eberle gets himself in the firing line against Guildford Flames. Picture: Dean Woolley.
HARD AREAS: Tanner Eberle gets himself in the firing line against Guildford Flames. Picture: Dean Woolley.

Eberle first arrived in South Yorkshire ahead of 2018-19 but, like most of that season’s roster, found life difficult.

Signed by then coach Paul Thompson, Eberle and his team-mates would end the season under the stewardship of Tom Barrasso.

While his effort and commitment to the cause were clear, making him a fans’ favourite, Eberle struggled to have the impact he desired when it came to scoring, posting a decent, yet modest 31 points, including 13 goals, in 65 appearances.

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But upon his appointment last year, Fox got to work straight away and realised quickly Eberle was somebody he wanted back – as long as he came in at the right price.

Sheffield Steelers' head coach and GM Aaron Fox was keen to bring Tanner Eberle back for a third season at Sheffield Steelers. Picture: Dean Woolley.Sheffield Steelers' head coach and GM Aaron Fox was keen to bring Tanner Eberle back for a third season at Sheffield Steelers. Picture: Dean Woolley.
Sheffield Steelers' head coach and GM Aaron Fox was keen to bring Tanner Eberle back for a third season at Sheffield Steelers. Picture: Dean Woolley.

“I watched all the games after I had signed to come here and then went back and watched some of the other stuff from earlier in the year,” said Fox. “And Ebs was just one of those guys who, even when the team wasn’t playing with a ton of emotion, or it was a bit flat, he was that guy who played hard – every single night.

“I loved his tenacity, I loved how he finished hits, I loved how he got to the hard areas.

“I’d see him have, say, maybe three breakaways in a game and not score on any of them. But he was getting himself in that position to get those chances.

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“Sometimes in your first year when you’re somewhere new, there’s an adjustment to the offensive side of your game. But he always got to the hard areas a lot and, more often than not, you will be rewarded if you get to those areas with the puck.”

NO LET-UP: Tanner Eberle battles for possession against Nottingham Panthers. Picture: Dean Woolley.NO LET-UP: Tanner Eberle battles for possession against Nottingham Panthers. Picture: Dean Woolley.
NO LET-UP: Tanner Eberle battles for possession against Nottingham Panthers. Picture: Dean Woolley.

Fox’s willingness to give Eberle another season in which to prove himself was justified. He was a player transformed to some degree, retaining his aggressive, physical style, but this time posting 58 points, including 27 goals, in just 52 games.

It made him the fourth-highest points-scorer for the team, earning him a deserved pay rise from Fox this summer.

“Ebs came back in on an extremely team-friendly deal last summer, but he was a priority for me to get done and he was the first guy I re-signed this year,” explained Fox.

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“That deal was done well before the season ended and I needed to get him to a number both that he wanted to come back at and that he deserved.

“So there are guys coming back for next season that are getting bumps and there are some guys coming back who I had to take some money from to make things work, but that is the nature of this business.”

Fox was delighted to see Eberle become one of his go-to guys on the Steelers’ bench last season, his determination to make every shift count all too clear.

“Ebs put a lot of work in last year with our assistant coach Carter Beston-Will,” added Fox.

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“Carter would cut all his chances down on tape, then Ebs would come in every 10 days or so and look at his chances from the last few games, the ones he scored on, the ones he didn’t score on – he was a real student of the game that way and he rightly got rewarded.

“He’s a guy who I could slot anywhere in my line-up, down the middle or on the wing, on my first line, or my third line.

“He’s great to be around and he’s great for the room – he’s not a real vocal leader but he is one of those guys who I think fits what the Steelers are all about, that hard-hat, workmanlike attitude and the fans rightly love him.”

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