VIDEO: Captaincy role fits Goertzen well at Steelers

The 29-year-old forward, now in his second season with the South Yorkshire club, was voted in to wear the ‘C’ by his players after head coach Doug Christiansen left it for them to decide.

After being forced to sit out the start of the season through injury, Goertzen returned to lead his team through a difficult period but, following Saturday’s 6-3 win over Cardiff Devils, things look more positive for the three-time Elite League champions.

“They’re an easy bunch to be captain of – absolutely,” said Goertzen. “I’ve played hockey for a long time and they are a great group of guys.

“We have a lot of great leaders in that dressing room and I rely on those guys to be leaders and they rely on me, so it’s a real unified effort.

“We’ve got some older players who have been around here for a long time so it makes my job easy.”

After being chosen by his peers, Goertzen admitted he felt a huge honour in leading the team out on the ice, even humbled and, after a stuttering start to the campaign – not helped by a stream of injuries to key players – he is determined to bridge the gap between the Steelers and their closest title rivals.

“I’m trying to be a bit more vocal and get the boys going,” he added. “At the same time, I’m just really trying to lead by example. I’m not the most skilled guy out there, but I rely on my work ethic and I hope that rubs off on the rest of the team. I know we’ve got 20 guys who have a great attitude and really want to work hard.

“Obviously it’s a huge honour being captain of the Steelers, it’s definitely a humbling experience. There is a lot of history surrounding the team and it’s a great organisation – I love playing here.”

Goertzen enjoyed a good relationship with previous coach Ryan Finnerty before he was fired after two years in charge last April. But he seems to have quickly clicked with current head coach Doug Christiansen, who replaced the outgoing Finnerty after just a few days.

“Doug has been great,” said Goertzen. “He’s got a lot of respect around the locker room and he’s put the pieces in place for us to be successful.

“Now it is our job – especially as a leadership group – to make sure we’re doing what he’s telling us to do and keep work working hard.”

Steelers are back in action this weekend when they head to Scotland to take on Fife Flyers before returning home to welcome Belfast Giants to the Motorpoint Arena (5pm).

It will be Christiansen’s second meeting in nine days against his former club, with the Steelers’ coach hoping his players can avenge a 4-2 defeat at the Odyssey Arena last Saturday.

Video stills by Dean Woolley/Sheffield Steelers.