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Positive thinking
JASON Hewitt was trying to see his cup as half full rather than half empty today - he is optimistic that Sheffield Steelers have regained "a core" of their Double-winning team for next season.
He choses to concentrate on the positives rather than the negatives, following the loss of linemate Ashley Tait to Italian team Ritten Tigers, and with goalie Jody Lehman, forward Andrew Sharp defenceman Steve Munn also leaving.
Ryan Finnerty seems likely not to be asked back and Rod Sarich and Randy Dagenais could be tempted to move elsewhere.
Hewitt recognises that all his 2008-9 teammates have a right to seek a better league and a bigger pay cheque.
Speaking from his Catcliffe home, the Mancunian winger said: "It was always inevitable there would be changes in personnel. That is the nature of pro sport and guys are entitled to move on, especially if they have been here a year or two.
"It looks like there could be a big turn-around, but if you look at how well Matty (coach Dave Matsos) has recruited in the past then I have every belief that the new guys will be the right ones and will fit in well.
"With the number and calibre of teammates that are definitely remaining (at this stage, Hewitt himself, Joey Talbot, Jeff Legue, Robert Dowd, Doug Sheppard, Jonathan Phillips, Brad Cruikshank, Scott Basiuk, Mark Thomas and Dan Green) there are enough people there to help the new lads fit into the system and quicken the adjustment process.
"But, then again, only time will tell."
Hewitt had previously subscribed to the view of team-mates like Thomas and Dagenais that Tait is irreplaceable.
"I loved playing on a line with him and Dowdy and didn't want that to change," he said. "But pro players just have to get on with it."
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
