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Steelers bidders want top American coach
STEELERS' would-be buyers have earmarked a former NHL coach with unrivalled qualifications to lead Sheffield into next season.
If the business group are successful in acquiring the club off Bob Phillips they will try and bring over American Kevin Constantine to run their bench.
Constantine, 51, would become the most experienced and decorated coach ever to ply his trade in the UK after coaching NHL giants Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils, between 1993-2002.
More recently he has been head coach at Houston Aeros in the AHL.
In April, Constantine's contract was ended there after the Aeros failed to make the playoffs.
Former Sheffield official Dave Simms worked with Constantine at a UK coaching clinic and explained: "We initially made contact with Kevin to see if he could help us attract a coach to the Steelers should the new consortium be successful in taking over.
"After chatting for half an hour, Kevin asked 'What about me?'
"I was speechless, the thought of the man who coached the kid from Kladno (Jaromir Jagr) coaching the boy from Billingham (Robert Dowd) really startled me.
"Kevin has some options for the new season but hasn't signed anything yet, there is a chance of him going to the KHL in Russia or staying in the AHL but I think the UK has a great appeal to him.
"He is a man who likes challenges and new experiences. We have told him he would be our first choice if the new consortium gets the club. Kevin told us that he would love to talk more to us at that time and if other opportunities come about before the change over then he would help us find a new coach to take the Steelers forward" said Simms.
"I think Kevin was surprised by UK hockey when he first came to our coaching clinic three summers ago, he was so well received he came back the following year and we have stayed in touch with him. If he came to the Steelers I think it's fair to say that we would be taking coaching and the standard of hockey here to a whole new level."
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
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