Thompson hoping Fretter’s powers of recovery lead to swift return with Steelers

Fretter has not iced for the defending Elite League champions since a 5-1 defeat in Cardiff on October 11. A double hernia was subsequently diagnosed for which Fretter has undergone an operation. He returned to the ice for the first time since his surgery on Thursday, a sight Thompson was delighted to witness ahead of his team’s encounter with Dundee Stars at Ice Sheffield tonight.

“Colton did a little bit of work on the ice (on Thursday), just to get a feel of the puck again,” said Thompson.

“It’s amazing really, he’s had a double hernia operation and, a week or 10 or so days later he’s working out really, really hard.

“I’m really excited because I like him as a player and as an individual. He brings a lot to our group and he’s a quality player and one of the top players in the league.

“We haven’t had him at 100 per cent all year because of his injury so I’m excited that once he gets back in shape and gets his game timing back that we are going to have a very good addition to our hockey club.”

After tonight’s visit from Dundee, coached by former Steelers’ player and assistant coach Marc Lefebvre, Thompson’s team will follow the Stars up to Scotland a few hours later, hoping their visit to Edinburgh Capitals’ Murrayfield rink will see them avenge a 5-4 shoot-out loss to Riley Emmerson’s side at Ice Sheffield on October 14.