Exclusive: Sheffield Steelers' skipper due to sign with overseas team

The veteran winger has seen some of his team-mates leave for foreign destinations recently, following the effects of the coronavirus lockdown on domestic ice hockey.

Phillips is in advanced talks with an overseas team and the deal could be signed this week.

The Great Britain regular told The Star that it had been a hard decision to make, with a wife and two children back home in Sheffield.

The peculiar reason Brendan Connolly's new boss gave for signing the Sheffield Steelers star

But finances and the need to retain fitness at the age of 38 were of critical importance.

"I have been on the verge of agreeing terms; then there were unexpected problems but now I am optimistic something will be sorted soon," he said.

"The team is playing currently and I think we are getting close."

Phillips has been at Sheffield since 2006 and is part of the furniture at Sheffield Arena.

The effect of having to move during the pandemic will be acutely felt by him and his family.

"The wife and kids are staying behind," he said.

"It is horrible, it's tough but it is something that we have got to do. My wife is working, the kids are at school, but they are fully supportive. In fact, to be honest I think they are just sick of me moping around the house."

Phillips' eldest son, aged 11, has just started high school and his brother is a year younger.

"It is not ideal but it just has to be done" said the Welshman.

"This is just a case of survival. It is a case of paying the bills.

"The money, to be able to live, is majorly important.

"But this is also about just playing. I don't think it is great at any age if you have to take a year out. It's not something that I want to test out to see what I would be like when I come back. I want to stay active.

"I need to be playing and I need to be competing. It drives me nuts when I am not.

"There are times when I go really quiet - that's me trying to figure out in my own head what is going on. One day I am fine the next day I am not. But we have all been through it in one way or another."

The GB forward said there had been "bits and pieces of interest" from other clubs in Europe.

"But as our coach (Aaron Fox) said, there is literally no money out there at some clubs.

"At some places there is not enough money to send home to pay the bills.

"I heard about one team, I think it was in Denmark, where there was no money at all - you'd be playing for nothing.

"It would be great to be in a position to do that, but I am definitely not a millionaire!"

Sheffield Steelers teenager Alex Graham loses chance to play in Czech Republic

Phillips said he believed there was still some chance of EIHL and NIHL playing in the UK - especially if there was some government funding available.

Keep up to date with all the latest from Sheffield Steelers via our dedicated Twitter account @TheStarSteelers, or join our Steelers Facebook group.