Yet, frustratingly, the completion of the league fixtures programme remains a task still to be completed.

The whole Elite League programme is being held up, says the club, because of the amount of "provisional dates" they have been offered by Sheffield Arena.

Uncertainty over so many dates - a perennial problem which has led Steelers to seek a new rink at Rother Valley - has proved too much for the league this year who are demanding concrete information before a list can be made public.

A meeting between all parties has been organised for Monday.

All that is known for sure is that Sheffield will be at home for the first league match on September 6.

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Sheffield captain Jonathan Phillips is keeping out of the off-ice politics and is adamant the players are ready for combat.

"The club expects us to win (the league) and we share that expectation," he says. "This is a serious club with a serious title ambition.

"The good news for the owner, the general manager and the coach is that the players are equally serious about going one step better next year and bringing that trophy back the Arena

"This is a year where we are expected to deliver; this is our time, our moment.

"Over the last two seasons we laid the foundations; now its time to build the dynasty."

Phillips says the title push begins on the first day of training camp.

"All the guys returning know that we have a great chance of turning our play-off success last year into a title push this season. I'm sure the club has pressed that point to (new players) Dan Green, Nathan Gillies and Scott Basiuk as well."

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