First goal for Sheffield Steelers is Kieran Brown's lasting memory as he departs club

His timing and accuracy were spot on - the rubber bullet flashed past Edinburgh Capitals' netminder Tyler Beskorowany to crown a 7-2 win for Sheffield Steelers.

Brown's first goal in the EIHL is his most lasting memory of his time at the arena as he quits Sheffield to try his luck with Leeds Chiefs.

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Like Cole Shudra, he didn't get the ice time he'd hoped for in the top flight and is now to regroup in the NIHL.

"That goal was my best experience," says Brown, who had just turned 17 at the time.

The fact it came back in February 2018 tells its own story - he was never to feel such a high again.

"It is hard to explain a feeling like that, it's weird, it's almost as if I blacked out. The next thing I remember was I was off the ice doing interviews" he recalled.

"Yet before I hit the puck I remember it going from Liam Kirk to Davey Phillips to Ben O'Connor to me.

"The fans went crazy - there are no other fans like them. They love the sport.

"Those fans give you great energy, because they want you to succeed. You know they are on your side. Every time you touch the puck you feel that.

"Yes, Leeds fans might have a lot to live up to but I know I'm going to a totally different environment and I am excited about that."

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Brown dressed just three times for Steelers last season and 19 for Steeldogs. In one of the Dogs' games he suffered a potentially career-ending injury.

"We were playing Basingstoke and my wrist bent the wrong way in a hit.

"I dislocated a bone and snapped some ligaments. I had metal rods inserted.

"One of the doctors pulled me to one side and said: 'To be honest Kieran, I don't think you will ever play again.'

"I was gobsmacked. But thankfully I got through it."

The set-back won't affect the winger's robust style when he ices for Leeds.

"I am a Bradford lad and I like big hits and showing I am not scared of the big lads."

Brown, now 19, says he'd heard speculation that Leeds could one day join the EIHL.

"It's only a rumour - but that would be great," he said.

"I've moved from Steelers to get more ice time but maybe I'll be back in their League one day. It's the best in England.

"There's no blame attached to the amount of ice time I got (in the EIHL) - it is just the way it works.

"Aaron Fox can't put you out there if it's 1-1 in the third period. It can be depressing sat on the bench, I've learned the hard way."

The Bradford City fan has no hard feelings about leaving Steeldogs: "Leeds is closer to home and Sam Zajac (coach) impressed me with the team that h's building; I felt they were moving in the right direction."