Fresh injury Storm brewing for Sheffield Steelers

The Czech netminder suffered a knock in the Boxing Day win over Nottingham Panthers, but played on and then through the pain barrier the following day at the NIC.

Steelers say he is recovering well and will play tomorrow at Manchester Storm.

But that’s where the good news ends.

Colton Fretter, who saw a specialist on Wednesday, is not expected to ice in any of the three weekend games after suffering a new problem in the groin area, so soon after recovering from a hernia operation.

Coach Paul Thompson said: “It is so frustrating for Fretter, he has not been pain free all season and that has impaired his performances and he has not reached his full potential because of it.

“He is a huge part of our club, but we don’t expect to see him on the ice this weekend.”

Others resting or receiving treatment this week have included Mathieu Roy, Guillaume Desbiens and Levi Nelson.

If any or all of those three join Fretter on the sidelines, it will have an obvious impact on the team’s firepower.

“I don’t care which team you are - you take players like them out and you’ve got problems” said Thompson, who has been looking, internationally, at possible cover signings but has yet to arrange a deal.

The coach has said all year that he has a thinner squad than the likes of Nottingham Panthers, Cardiff Devils and Belfast Giants - and would love to carry a spare import.

Asked if he regretted letting Chris Lawrence go, he said: “Hindsight is a wonderful thing. But at the time he was not the guy (we wanted) long term.”