Hull Pirates - coached by Sheffield Arena legend Jason Hewitt - may temporarily recruit Steelers' veterans

Hull, in the second tier NIHL, are hoping to get their regular season underway on January 1.

There is a chance the Steelers and a handful of other teams in the top-grade EIHL will take part in a mini-tournament, also in the New Year.

But if that does not happen, Pirates will lower the drawbridge to offer places to Robert Dowd, Jonathan Phillips and Davey Phillips.

Hewitt has already spoken to the players and their coach Aaron Fox about the possibility.

Steelers' management would be happy to see their skaters playing and earning - something which became a whole lot more difficult to achieve on Tuesday, when the EIHL formally confirmed they were suspending operations, due to the effects of the coronavirus lockdown.

The Arena club are willing to loan out players, or even let them leave.

Hull, big rivals of fellow NIHL Sheffield Steeldogs, have an ace up their sleeve in Hewitt, who has maintained strong links with Steelers.

Hewitt told The Star: "I am optimistic about a January start for us, but obviously everything is Government-dependent.

"A lot of other countries are going ahead with their leagues, but over here we can't seem to figure it out.

"As for Davey, Dowdy and Jonno, we would be interested in them for sure.

"I have spoken to (Steelers coach) Aaron Fox and my owner and we would offer places to them, if that is what they wanted.

"Obviously I'd rather see them play in the standard they are used to but if the circumstances allow, it would be great for us to have those guys."

Steeldogs have also expressed an interest in the possibility of providing a berth for Steeler personnel, but Hewitt admits he'd "play the friend card" to get them.

"Naturally, they (Dowd and the two Phillips) have concerns about what's happening and we work off a lower budget" said Hewitt, who has played more times for Steelers than anyone, other than Jonathan Phillips.

"But I travel over to Hull and two of them could come with me and Davey lives in the Hull area.

"I will be leaning on them - but it's their decision."

Hewitt meets up with Fox at a Sheffield gym every so often and he says the American remains reasonably confident that EIHL teams can play in a slimmed-down EIHL tournament in the New Year.

"Hopefully they will get that, because it could set the EIHL back if they have to have a full year out.

"It is a good product and we could see imports who try other leagues in Austria or Denmark or wherever get their heads turned and stay out there.

"Steelers have made such great strides - it is a bad situation for them.

"They seem to have found their core again after a couple of sketchy years, and have put a great product on the ice. It is a shame everyone in our sport is in this position."

As for his own team and league, Hewitt says they are both going in the right direction.

"We are only three or four guys off a full roster, so there is still some space at the moment - but time is on our side.

"We can operate with 60 or 70 percent crowd capacity (if social distancing is enforced.)

"And the rivalries in the league are natural ones - there is some nastiness between Hull and Sheffield, which is what you want.

"And now we have Leeds Chiefs as well."