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Thought of leaving is foreign to loyal Joey
SHARP-SHOOTER Joey Talbot has snubbed interest from Europe to commit to his third successive season with Sheffield Steelers.
The 29-year-old forward, who was top goalscorer for the double-winners last year, agreed a new contract with the club today.
Hard-working Talbot scored 69 points in 61 games for Sheffield last season, (35+34) a decent feat given the fact he hit a barren streak at the end of the campaign, notching only a single goal in the final seven games.
As an overall points-taker, he was surpassed only by Ashley Tait, who has yet to decide on whether he will follow suit and join Dave Matsos' class of 2009-10.
Talbot said: "I had options to move away, both in Europe and North America. Steelers are a draw for me, though. I like the club, the players, the city and the coach.
"I also like to win and think we have another great chance to lift trophies. I will also be studying this coming year at the University of Sheffield. I guess I'm starting to think of life after hockey and that was an important add-on.
"I considered all the options but in the end I decided that the Steelers were where my heart was. I didn't want last year's double to be the end; I want it to be the beginning of a long reign at the top for the club."
The former Alaska Aces player added: "A lot has been said about how tight we all are as a group. We will lose a few guys from last year - that's pro sport - but the core will remain and new players coming in will find a winning mentality inside the dressing room.
"We know that other teams will look at us as the ones to beat and we will become everyone's target; that's what you get when you are winners."
Coach Matsos was relieved he didn't have to try to replace a 35 goalscorer.
He said Talbot's "heart and leadership" were also important.
"No one player is more important than any other one on my team, that's the way we build teams here, but in saying that I was a little happier than normal when his e-mail (of acceptance) arrived," he said.
"When I was away with the GB team at the World Championships, (coach) Paul Thompson kept saying to me that he hoped Talbot would move to Europe!
Thompson is also head coach at Coventry Blaze.
Matsos added: "It was Thommo's way of saying what a great player he was. I agree. He is a clutch player, a guy you look to at big moments of games to come through."
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Weather for Sheffield
Friday 10 February 2012
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