Woolhouse put to more use by Steelers

RYAN Finnerty says Sheffield Steelers will make much more use of the “huge asset” they have in back-up netminder Geoff Woolhouse for the 2012-13 Elite League season.

The 27-year-old Sheffield-born goaltender enjoyed a positive campaign between the pipes last time around, serving as a strong back-up to American John Decaro, who has now departed to Norway.

And while the Steelers are still likely to favour an import goalie as their No1 choice, head coach Finnerty believes the club has the best back-up around by far, a claim backed up by the fact Woolhouse was installed as second-choice netminder for Great Britain in their recent world championship campaign in Slovenia.

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Official confirmation of Woolhouse’s decision to return for a third year with his hometown club, comes just two days after the Steelers confirmed the re-signings of British trio Jonathan Phillips, Jason Hewitt and Lee Esders, with Tom Squires opting for a return to EPL neighbours Sheffield Steeldogs instead of taking up a two-way deal with Telford Tigers the Steelers had offered.

With forwards Ashley Tait and Colin Shields already in place, along with defenceman Mark Thomas, it takes Steelers’ British contingent to seven with another home-grown signing expected to be announced on Tuesday.

“I think last season with Woolly, we all saw a great goalie and what a huge asset to our hockey club he was,” said Finnerty.

“He started more games than any other back up in the league and, as far as I’m concerned, his form was outstanding. I knew every time I put him in I could rely on him 100 per cent.

“Having someone who can start 12-15 games or more - which Geoff will be doing this season - is massive for us.”