Swoop for Ryan Hayes boosts Sheffield Steelers' already serious ambitions

The 26-year-old American has proved a revelation since being snapped up by Edinburgh Capitals last summer and arrives in South Yorkshire as the league’s leading scorer, plundering 25 goals among 53 points in 41 games so far this season.

The Capitals began the season brightly on the back of Hayes’s form, but have since slumped to languish in the bottom two with just one win in their last 12 games, four points outside the play-offs.

After news of Hayes’s signing was revealed on Wednesday afternoon, it is understood Hayes has been unsettled in the Scottish capital for some time, with owner Scott Neil deciding it best for the club that their star man move on.

Steelers’ head coach Paul Thomposon, – still without influential forward Colton Fretter due to a second groin injury of the season – said it was too good an opportunity to miss out on.

“This move came about late on Tuesday night,” said Thompson, delighted to get such a top player in ahead of Saturday night’s encounter with Nottingham Panthers at Sheffield Arena (7pm).

“It’s not every day the league’s top goalscorer becomes available.

“There’s lots of hockey still to play and we still don’t know how long Colton Fretter will be out of the line up.

“We won’t take any risks on his return so the chance to sign Ryan came at just the right time.”

Hayes, who has registered three goals and seven assists against his new employers previously this season, insisted it was the right time for him and the Capitals to part company.

“I am thankful to the Capitals for the opportunity to play in Edinburgh but I’m also very excited to be joining the Steelers,” he said.

“I enjoyed my time in Edinburgh but the time was right for both club and player for us to part and move on. I wish the Caps well.”

Edinburgh owner Scott Neil, a former Steelers player during the 90s, claimed Hayes had become unsettled in recent weeks after having already had a number of offers to mvoe elsewhere.

He said the club felt it could not stand in the way of their top player any longer, with his desire to challenge for silverware this season no doubt a major factor.

“It became clear that Ryan was becoming increasingly unsettled and with a number of alternative options being provided to him, the club did not want to prevent him from taking any further opportunities going forward,” said Neil.

“Ryan has had a number of offers over the last two months and has stuck with us.

“But with the season heading towards completion, I think he wanted an opportunity to be challenging for silverware.

“It is never easy to lose a top player but, considering all the circumstances, I believe we have done the best for the club and the player.”

Capitals player-coach Riley Emmerson – who has led his side to three wins out of four meetings with the Steelers this season – admits he was surprised at the speed of Hayes’s move.

“I was a bit shocked when I heard the news because everything happened so fast.

“Ryan was a big part of our team and an influential part of the locker room, but I hope the players see it from the club’s perspective.”