Simon says Globke will be perfect fit for Steelers

Former Florida Panthers player Rob Globke completes the Steelers 2010-11 roster following a turbulent summer for the South Yorkshire club and signals somewhat a change heart for rookie coach Simon, who had initially indicated he would wait until the Elite League season had begun before deciding on his final import.

The Steelers will open their campaign on Saturday by welcoming last season's play-offs runners-up Cardiff Devils to Sheffield Arena. It's not known whether the paperwork required to get Globke to the UK will have cleared in time.

Following the on-ice difficulties that have dominated the close season, most notably the liquidation of the club's former operating company and the resignation of the previous management team, most fans will probably be relieved simply to see a team on the ice given the previous concerns about the club's financial situation.

But 32-year-old Simon has been nothing but positive about the club's ability to compete this season and sees 27-year-old Globke – who played 46 games for Florida in the NHL between 2005-08 – as a high-calibre final piece of the jigsaw.

"Rob has an outstanding resume," said Simon. "He has the potential to be one of the best players in this league.

"Knowing him personally, I am excited to add such a high-calibre player that also brings quality characteristics off the ice as well.

"I had said that I wasn't in any particular hurry to sign anybody as my last import, but if the right player came along I would go after them.

"Rob was that kind of player and he will be a tremendous asset both as a player and just as a person.

"A player of Rob's quality doesn't come around too often for this league and I didn't want to miss this opportunity."

As part of the deal to bring Globke to the UK, he has been offered a place at the University of Sheffield, often used as an incentive to attract oversas stars.

As well as playing the world's top league, Globke also has bags of experience in North America's second tier – most notably with Rochester Americans, Florida's AHL affiliate.

In 2008, his first experience of European ice hockey took him to Frederikshavn White Hawks in Denmark, before switching to Germany's DEL with Krefeld Penguins where he posted five goals and seven assists in 48 games.

Simon held a practice session at IceSheffield on Sunday with his British contingent and the import players that had already arrived, including returning favourites Rod Sarich and Jeff Legue, along with new arrivals Neil Clark and goaltender Ervins Mustukovs from Latvia.

The Steelers are still waiting for forwards Derek Campbell and Joey Talbot to arrive in the UK, along with defencemen Kevin Bolibruck ahnd Steve Munn with Globke now added to that list.

Unlike last season, the 2009 league and play-off winners will have no warm-up games ahead of the new season.