STEELERS' coach Dave Matsos had a surprise consolation for Manchester Phoenix defenceman Scott Basiuk after Sheffield knocked his team out of the Play Offs last March.
Matsos privately told the 27-year-old from Saskatchewan, Canada that he would like to sign him for the 2008-9 campaign.
And true to his word Matsos delivered a contract today to the all-round d-man who scored 12 goals (seven on the PP) and 33 assists (45pts) in 58 games for Phoenix last season.
Basiuk, who scored against Sheffield in the Play Off quarter final at the House of Steel, is on a one-year deal.
He was pencilled into the line-up as a potential replacement for Rod Sarich.
But Sarich is now returning and Basiuk will take Ian Manzano's place in the line-up.
The arrival means Sheffield should have a mobile and offensive blue line corp, particularly on the PP.
Like the other new signing Nathan Gillies, Basiuk is regarded as gritty rather than a hard-man.
But he brings with him one of the hardest shots in the Elite League.
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