Dominic Cormier returns for full season with Sheffield Steelers

Dominic Cormier was an emergency signing by Sheffield Steelers, who needed to fill in for Matt Petgrave.

Replacing such a supremely talented offensive-defenceman, at a uniquely tragic time for British ice hockey given events at that time at Sheffield Arena, meant the spotlight and the pressure was on the shoulders of the then-25-year-old.

Cormier coped better than anybody could have guessed.

He'd arrived after an unspectacular time at Stjernen Hockey in Norway with two points in 15 games.

The speed in which he blended into the Sheffield line up and the way he read the game in a league that was new to him was unparalleled, though.

Now the Canadian has been handed a full-year contract at the treble champions, a move aimed to ward off inevitable interest from other clubs both here and in Europe.

Cormier had arrived in mid-November, making his debut a 5-1 crushing of the previous year's Grand Slammers, Belfast Giants.

He assisted on the final goal, being chosen to play on the power play and never looked back.

His first game in December saw him clock up more minutes than any of his team mates.

And he went on to repeat that an awe-inspiring 26 further times.

It showed that the coach Aaron Fox trusted him as much if not more than any other skater on the side.

Of huge importance was his understanding with ironman defenceman Kevin Tansey.

And the fact Tansey has also been re-recruited hints at the core of the team returning for 2024-25.

Cormier's tribute to the "best fans in Europe" after the Challenge Cup triumph didn't do him any harm either.

He said: "I have learned over the years that it is the fans that set the tone for a team and our fans were there for us every night, home or on the road.

"Every player in the room loved playing for them and we were all so happy that we could deliver those three trophies.

“I have been thinking about standing there watching those banners being raised, (next season) hopefully in front of a full house of Steelers fans in orange. I can’t wait for that night.”

Fox commented: “Dominic coming back was a no brainer.

"He came in and played a top pair role with Kevin (previously partnered with Petgrave) and they were dominant all year.

“He’s an elite skater that can create offense jumping in the play and was so good on our retrievals.

“Dom’s speed also allows him to have great gap control and defend well against the league’s top end players night in and out.

“I’m very happy to get this deal done and think he will come back and be a key player for us again next year”.