Sheffield Steelers’ new boy aims to put down roots

The former Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames right winger and his family instantly felt at home in South Yorkshire and are hoping at some point to seal a contract for the following season too.

Paul Thompson has been glowing in his praise for a player who has scored twice in his short time here - the coach is happy with the player’s work-rate and all-round contributions, which he feels has energised others in the side.

And that will be music to the ears of the 30-year-old French Canadian. Asked about his career path, he replied: “I plan on being here next year, off the ice I do University back home as long as Steelers want me I will be here.”

The player said he liked what he had seen so far, although he prefers to mentally keep things ‘short-term’ so it is easier to manage expectation.

“I have a young family, a little girl, and we want some stability finally, the last few years felt like we were moving every three, four, five, six months it is not what you want for a little girl. We are trying to lay down roots and be at the same place at least two seasons in a row. That’s the plan.”

Desbiens said he admired the winning attitude at the club. “The pressure that we get because of the success of the Steelers in the past...it’s nice to have that pressure.

“There is more to come. I see where we are (in third place in the Elite League) why we can be higher.”

He said that the team could have been “a little more consistent and made the right plays but at the same time we have played a couple of really good games.”

Only first place in the division would be deemed acceptable, he added.

That ambition will be helped when team captain Jonathan Phillips returns from a groin operation, allowing the team to play four lines: “Coming down the stretch you can play all your players, we can outwork teams and beat them in the third period.”

Desbiens scored his first Arena goal last Sunday, against Fife.

He will be hoping to add to that tally at iceSheffield this evening, when Sheffield entertain Edinburgh Capitals, (7.30.)

The seventh-placed Capitals are coming off a narrow 2-1 loss at Braehead Clan, on Sunday.