Wood back in Sheffield to prove himself

The 23-year-old adds further depth to the Elite League club’s British contingent – something they lacked last season and which they paid for when injury struck key players such as Jonathan Phillips and Ashley Tait.

Abel – Steelers’ bench coach for the past two seasons – coached Wood when in charge of the now defunct Sheffield Scimitars back in 2004-05 when, as a 15-year-old, he proved something of a revelation, scoring 28 points, including 18 goals, in just 14 games. He also made three loan appearances for the Steelers.

The next year, Wood headed to the USA to study and has spent the last five seasons playing in the junior and college system, spending the last two years with Saint Mary’s University in Minnesota.

“I remember coaching Danny very well – he stood out back then,” said Abel. “He was very young to be playing at that level and although he was only a slightly-built lad, that didn’t matter to him as he was always willing to get stuck in to the physical side of the game.

“I’d like to think that his years in the USA will have seen him come on leaps and bounds.

“If that’s the case, he’s got the potential to become a star in the making and be one of the best British players in this league.”

Wood – who had initially contacted his former coach Abel before going on to agree terms with Steelers’ head coach Ryan Finnerty – said he was excited to be returning to the city where he grew up.

“It’s good to be returning,” he said. “I think its the right time for me after my studies in the States.

“I know I’m coming back to Sheffield as an unknown player and I will play as few or as many minutes as the coach wants.

“I’m a good skater and I think a good play-maker and I see the ice well.

“I scored well as a junior and thought that would be my game really. But, over the last few years, I’ve been used more on a shut-down line and I’ve learned a lot about playing in both ends.”

Finnerty, who said he has made progress on a couple of potential import signings for the 2012-13 Elite League campaign back in North America, added: “I took some references in the States and heard nothing but good things about him as a player and person. The leagues he has played in are very good quality and he will return from the States very well coached.”

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