SHEFFIELD Steelers unveiled their 2008-09 fixture list today - and it hints at everything you need to know about why they want to move away from the Arena.
For years, the Play-off champions have complained about the lack of some Saturday-night dates - traditionally the day of the week when they normally attract most fans.
And they have long had a beef, too, at the rental cost of playing at the Arena, another key factor in the decision to move to Rother Valley, if a new rink at the so-called Yes! programme becomes reality.
Today's fixture list shows they have 14 dates pencilled in to play away from the Arena on favoured Saturday nights.
And they are taking advantage of the lower rent at iceSheffield for seven games, four of them on a Saturday.
On the plus side, Sheffield's Sunday attendances last year were good and they have steered away from back-to-back home games, which fans find too expensive.
Steelers might have preferred a higher-profile opening game to face off their regular campaign.
They host Edinburgh Capitals on September 6. The Scots were eighth in the 10-team league last season.
Their first match against league champions Coventry Blaze, the club they aim to overhaul this season, is a week later.
The first duel with Nottingham Panthers falls away from home on September 20.
Sheffield run into sacked winger Jeremy Cornish for the first time when Basingstoke Bison bring their new recruit on October 5.
As revealed weeks ago, Nottingham visit the Arena on Boxing Day and Sheffield must travel to Belfast the day before New Year's Eve.
The league run-in should be interesting as the Steelers face Coventry and Nottingham in the first week of March.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL STEELERS FIXTURE LISTMeanwhile, Sheffield Scimitars have pulled off an English Premier League coup with the signing of former Steeler and Great Britain skater Warren Tait.
Scims have already signed nine players for next season and Ashley Tait's brother is the latest acquisition to strengthen the squad.
The 27-year-old has spent the last three years at Steelers before being released by Dave Matsos at the end of last season.
Scimitars coach Ron Shudra said: "Warren is an excellent player and will prove to be a great signing for us.
"He has a lot of experience having played in the Elite League for several years for teams such as the Cardiff Devils and obviously the Steelers and for the British team.
"Warren is a solid player with leadership qualities, good technique on the ice and is a penalty-kill specialist.
"He is set to lead the way for us.
"He knows what is expected of him on the ice and he knows the game very well.
"He is a superb signing for us"
Tait may have been unable to find an Elite Legue club, but his skill at EPL level puts him on a par with imports in the league.
Scims are unlikely to bring back another ex-Steeler, goaltender Pasi Raitanen.
What do you think? Post your comments below. READ MORE Football headlinesMore BladesMore OwlsMore SpireitesMore RoversMore RedsMore MillersMore Ice HockeyMore rugby leagueMore rugby unionMore boxingSports columnistsAll sport categoriesThe full article contains 559 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
