Thomas humbled as former team-mates return for testimonial

OLD HAND: Sheffield Steelers' Mark Thomas. Picture: Dean Woolley.

SHEFFIELD STEELERS’ Mark Thomas admitted to being humbled after current and former team-mates gathered to help mark his testimonial in the Steel City this week.

Tuesday night sees a testimonial game played at Ice Sheffield (7.15pm) with former Steelers’ favourites Jody Lehman, Ryan Finnerty, Danny Meyers, Randy Dagenais, Scott Basiuk and Steve Munn all involved.

Lehman, Dagenais, Basiuk and Munn had all flown in especially from North America for this week’s celebrations to honour Thomas, who signed for the Steelers midway through the 2005-06 season and has gone on to make more than 520 appearances for the Steelers.

The celebrations got underway at the Holiday Inn on Monday night with a special ‘Mark Thomas Roast’ evening.

“I can’t thank everyone enough” said 31-year-old Thomas afterwards.

“I was so nervous before the event started as I wanted everyone to have a good time.

“Some of these guys have come halfway around the world. It shows what kind of team and group we had that they would still come over and be here.

“I think the fans got to see a different side of some of the guys which was nice.”

After Tuesday night’s testimonial game, Thomas and his current Steelers’ team-mates will turn their attention to a tough spell of four games in six days, beginning with Thursday night’s Challenge Cup semi-final first leg against Nottingham Panthers.

League games follow at the weekend against Belfast Giants and Coventry Blaze before the second leg against Nottingham at the NIC next Tuesday.

Tickets for Tuesday night’s tesimonial game can be bought from the Box Office on 0114 256 5656. Any remaining tickets will be on sale on the door.