New Steelers goalie under no illusion over hard work needed to get season back on track

There is an irony about Sheffield Steelers' final import signing of the 2019-20 EIHL campaign.
New Steelers goalie Jeremy Brodeur. Photo - Sheffield SteelersNew Steelers goalie Jeremy Brodeur. Photo - Sheffield Steelers
New Steelers goalie Jeremy Brodeur. Photo - Sheffield Steelers

You could argue that the club is more in need of a quality overseas skater now than at any other time this season.

Having lost their last four games, Sheffield would benefit from a forward or 'D' with new ideas and team-craft.

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In fact, they've signed north American goalie Jeremy Brodeur as cover for Tomas Duba.

It's more than possible that the 23-year-old will see little action in the last ten league games, including the games at Nottingham Panthers on Saturday and then at home to Belfast Giants the following night.

That's no slight on Brodeur, he is, after all, a form of insurance in case Duba gets injured or worn to a frazzle.

So his signing underlines how important it is that the existing roster re-discover the identity that took them to the top of the league in the first place.

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Sheffield were so poor last Saturday against Dundee Stars that coach Aaron Fox was still steaming about their performance the following night - when they had just been beaten by the bottom team, Fife Flyers.

Brodeur, at his young age, has walked into a dressing room filled with skaters who must be trying to work out who is to blame for dragging their title credentials through the mud.

On Wednesday, Cardiff Devils beat Fife 3-2 to close the gap on top-of-the-table Steelers to a single point. They have three games in hand.

Nottingham used up one of their three games in hand on Sheffield to win 4-2 in Glasgow. On paper, they are also in a better position than Steelers.

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Belfast Giants also hammered previously on-form Guildford Flames 5-1.

It is a tough landscape for Brodeur to come into.

However, he comes undeniably from outstanding stock.

His father Martin played 22 seasons in the NHL, most for New Jersey Devils, winning three Stanley Cup rings.

Like Tom Barrasso, the former Steelers' coach, he was one of the best ever.

Announcing the new signing, Fox said: “He obviously comes from a great goalie pedigree and has had a really good season between two clubs this year.

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“He’s looking forward to coming in and working hard and gives us another reliable option behind Duba if needed. He should be on the ice here in Sheffield on Wednesday this week”.

Fox says the young man has looked solid in training - but the coach's thoughts are more tuned into finding a way to get his team defending properly and scoring as freely as they have most of the season.

Brodeur is said by Fox to be under no illusion over what his role is.

And the rest of his team-mates must be under no illusion they have to pull their collective finger out.