Video
Video interview Andrew Sharpe
ANDREW SHARP today said he was ready to fight the Elite League's biggest heavyweights – and also battle it out with his own Sheffield Steelers' team-mates for a regular spot on the side.
Sharp has been brought in to be a physical deterrent to stop bigger teams bullying Sheffield's flair-skaters.
But the role means he is a 10th forward – and could get limited ice time.
He was selected for unusual criticism yesterday by Cardiff Devils' boss Gerad Adams, who claimed Sharp "can hardly skate."
Speaking on video on thestar.co.uk, Sharpe said he was happy to be in Sheffield and would be competing for one of the nine regular forward slots.
Click on the green play button to see the videoSpeaking about his modest 20-game record at Romford Raiders and Coventry Blaze last year, he said: "The way I play over here in Britain...there were suspensions here and there. I signed a two-way (contract) with Coventry, but this season I want to play every single game and show the fans in Sheffield what I can do.
"I have always been a player whose plays aggressive, sticks up for himself and his team-mates.
"I'm going to play the same way as I always have, play hard and if a fight has to happen, then it's my job."
Sharp, 24, said he had been scrapping on ice since playing junior at 16 in Canada.
"It is something I did not mind doing for the team. When I'm on the ice, it's to protect myself or my team-mates or to change the momentum of the game, then I don't mind doing it and something I am going to enjoy doing for Sheffield."
Sharp says he regards himself as an enforcer, despite the fact he is a good few inches smaller than many of his contemporaries - a point also made by Adams.
"The size of the body doesn't matter its he heart, that's what counts" says Sharp.
"Every (Elite League) team has their guy and I am sure I shall be meeting up with every single one of them this season; I am looking forward to it."
Asked specifically about being 10th forward, he replied: "It's for me to earn my ice time, right?
"I don't expect to come here and be given anything. It's for me to earn every single minute I get. When I get on the ice it's for me to show the coach that I deserve to get back on the ice."
What do you think? Add your comments below.
READ MOREMain news indexYour letters.
FeaturesMore Rotherham newsMore Doncaster newsMore Barnsley newsCheck out the very latest on South Yorkshire's roads - including live traffic cameras on Sheffield's commuter routes - with our Traffic sectionLatest sport. The full article contains 473 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
