Sheffield Steelers shock: coach fires hot goalscorer

Ryan Hayes, the Elite League's leading goalscorer at Edinburgh Capitals for much of the season, was considered a flop on the bigger stage at Sheffield.

He scored three goals in his brief time with Sheffield - but it wasn't his offensive game that led to his dismissal.

The club felt the player had been granted plenty of opportunities on all lines, the Power Play, Penalty Kill and in different positions.

Yet he never excelled in any of them, the club felt.

And, as a character, he did not seem to blend in with his new Arena team-mates.

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In today's Star, I reported our own concerns with his contribution, saying we did not expect him to "light up the League" with Sheffield, in the same way he had with Caps.

He was a neat player - but not what the club needs right now.

So much so, that Steelers have released him despite a difficult injury list.

The 26 year old American is flying home this evening.

“I sat down with Ryan yesterday” said head coach Paul Thompson, “we mutually decided that things weren’t working out and that it would be better if we parted company.

“I thank him for his time and wish him well. He is heading back home to the States immediately.

“We are banged up and hurting right now but all the guys we have are fully committed. We go with what we have and that started tonight in Belfast."