Steelers likely to begin season 'shorthanded'

BEN SIMON says Sheffield Steelers are likely to start the new Elite League campaign without their full quota of imports.

The American player-coach, brought in two weeks ago to succeed Dave Matsos, has one place left on his roster to fill, with the 2009 league and play-off double winners still one short of the 11 imports they are allowed to ice at one time.

But, speaking from Canada, Simon said it was unlikely there would be any more new faces arriving at Sheffield Arena before the league season officially starts on Saturday, September 4 with a home clash against newcomers Dundee Stars.

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"We might actually start the season with just 16 guys," said Simon. "There is one import slot left, but I'm leaving it empty for now and I'll make assessments as we go forward.

"The financial situation does have some bearing on it, but the decision has been made by me. I do still have the option to fill that slot at some point - it could be day two in the season, it could be day 50.

"I don't want to jump to any conclusions until I get over to the UK and we will then see how things pan out."

Simon has confirmed that all 15 players signed by Matsos prior to his shock resignation last month have now agreed to return for Steelers in time for the 2010-11 season and insisted that none of them has taken a wage cut.

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Simon has now spoken to all 15 players some of who had, he said, understandably voiced a number of concerns given the off-ice turmoil that has enveloped the South Yorkshire club during the summer.

After Steelers' operating company Yorkshire Sport (YS) went into liquidation in April, the club was further rocked last month by the resignations of key members of staff, including Matsos and GM Mike O'Connor.

The club was subsequently put up for sale by owner Bob Phillips, but with no "suitable" offer made to Phillips, the club was taken off the market, with the appointment of Simon being made soon after.

Phillips has since handed over control of the club to his wife Maraini in order to fight a court action taken out against him in relation to the liquidation of another one of his companies five years ago.

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Rumours of players quitting and others being forced to take pay cuts have circulated for the past couple of weeks but Simon appears to have allayed players' concerns and expects every one of them to be facing off against Dundee.

"All of the players signed by Matty before he left will be there at the start of the season," said Simon.

"The players are obviously aware of what has been going on during the last few weeks. They did voice concerns about the ownership and other things to me but they have all now made a commitment, not just to the Steelers but also to each other and the fans.

"Maraini (Phillips) is in charge now and in the conversations I've had with her there's not been one occasion where I've been worried about any problems.

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"None of the players has taken a pay cut. We considered a number of options with regard to reconstructing our budget and I'm pretty confident that all the guys are happy with the packages that we have put together for them.

"If they weren't happy with what has been offered, they were free to move elsewhere but none of them have so that tells me they must be happy with what has been agreed."