'It's an honour to captain team.

Maltby had been out injured and when he returned he was told the 'C' would be staying on the shirt of his stand-in, British winger Jonathan Phillips.

Today, Phillips spoke for the first time about the controversial switch which led Maltby to play under him until he eventually retired from the club.

"I don't know if I was more nervous or excited after Dave Matsos gave me such a huge honour," he said.

"Clubs in British hockey don't come any bigger than Sheffield and it felt great to be captain.

"I had a lot of sympathy for Malts, though. I almost felt embarrassed. But he was very supportive.

"I respect him a great deal, I played on the same line as him and we get on as friends. Really, I was gutted for him."

Asked why he felt Matsos picked him he said: "I've asked myself the same question.

"I don't say a whole lot but, I suppose I have a good work ethic and try to lead by example."

But do some North American imports look down their nose at a British captain?

"I'm not too sure but, I wouldn't have thought so. When we're in the dressing- room, I don't look around and judge people by their accents.

"It doesn't bother me if someone is British or Canadian. It might, sometimes, to the fans, but we're one team that just happens to be made up of different nationalities.

"There's never been any resistance to me – and I'm not the type of person to start shouting 'get your backside in gear' to older, more experienced players."