Coach Aaron Fox happy despite 'transfer freeze' at Sheffield Steelers
For an ice hockey coach and general manager who doesn't know for sure whether he will have a team during what should be season 2020-21, Aaron Fox is handling the pressure well.
The American should be welcoming new and returning players into the Sheffield Steelers' fold this week - as he did 12 months ago.
But coronavirus has put paid to that, for the time being.
Some fear the Government will be particularly cautious about allowing thousands of fans back into an indoor sport arena, in the current pandemic.
But Fox, who arrived on a three-year deal from EBEL side Medvescak Zagreb in April last year, prefers to feel positive about the situation, believing even a January start-date could be made to work.
Fox has 15 players on his books so far, including new back-up goalie Ben Churchfield and the two-way players Cole Shudra and Alex Graham.
And he isn't the slightest bit concerned about filling the rest of the spots, once he gets a clear idea of budget and length of season.
"This summer has been a big waiting game for me, so far," he says.
"I haven't been able to do everything to the extent I would have wanted but there are a ton of players out there, a real overflow.
"Obviously I want to know when it (the season) is starting and what that looks like financially.
"At the moment I am sort of under a transfer freeze."
But the deadlock has not been all bad for Fox, himself.
"Mentally it can be a bit of a grind, but it is for everybody. But my family are happy here (living in Sheffield) and I am having lots of time with them.
"It is about waiting patiently for Government guidance."
So far, Fox has a reserve netminder, five regular defencemen, and seven regular forwards in the squad.
That's a better place to be rival clubs, who are preferring to keep their cards closer to their chests.
*Steelers have parted company with 19-year-old British goaltender William Kerlin. He dressed for the club four times.
*Sheffield Steeldogs say they have one, possibly two positions to fill on their roster for the season ahead, should indoor ice sports be sanctioned by the Government.