Former Steeler Sandstrom lands new role

The industrious Swedish forward had been keeping sharp by playing in an amateur side along with his younger brother at his home town team Fagersta, watched by 300 fans.

He'd told The Star that it had been his best option in the middle of the pandemic, but his seven week contract permitted him to move on if something better came up.

That opportunity duly arrived with an offer from Östersunds IK in the third tier of ice hockey in Sweden, the HockeyEttan.

Östersunds were quick to acknowledge the experience Sandstrom had encountered in South Yorkshire, where much bigger crowds watched his every move on the ice when he was playimng for the Steelers.

"Lucas spent (a season) in the hockey-crazy Sheffield Steelers in the British league where his result was 31 points in 44 games" the club website said.

"This season he started in the parent club Fagersta while waiting to find the right offer to continue his hockey career in and now lands in Östersunds IK."

Östersunds' Sports director Per Tagesson said: "When it comes to Lucas, he has a good points average from the Allsvenskan in his luggage.

"He is confident with the puck and has good technique.

"He is also an energy player who is intense and aggressive in his way of playing, which will fit perfectly with our hockey,” he added.

Sandström, who scored a goal and an assist on his debut, said his move will be another step up in the system. I hope to come in with routine and hard work for the team where my goal is to take us far."

But Steelers fans might not yet have seen the last of him of him in Sheffield and he has spoken about how much he enjoyed his time with the club.

Sandstrom, 30, told The Star earlier this year: "I had a really great time in Sheffield and would never close the door about coming back, (it was) probably my best season both hockeywise and outside the rink."