No injury hangover for this Sheffield Steelers' forward

At the start of the 2022-23 season, senior forward Brendan Connolly was a late starter as he struggled to get completely fit after injuring his knee (ACL) the previous November.

Of this coming season's crop, the focus now switches to forward Brandon Whistle, who is recuperating from a shoulder injury.

Whistle was hurt by a check in the second period of a Great Britain game against Hungary at Planet Ice Milton Keynes, in April.

Frustratingly, it happened in a challenge match and led to his name being amongst eight others released from GB's roster before the World Championships started.

Clearly, Whistle's injury is entirely different in nature to Connolly's and Sheffield coach Aaron Fox can draw on personal experience to suggest his centreman will be ready for the launch of the EIHL season.

"His range of motion has been getting and we made sure he was getting physio sessions set up," said Fox.

"He is having a full Summer of rehab over there (Canada)

"It's not a nice injury, for sure, but he will have had four months to get fit.

"Yes, the injury was a little bit disappointing as we'd talked about having a big-time summer in the gym putting on a bit more muscle mass and now has to spend the first half of the summer rehabbing and the second half focusing on strength stuff.

"Maybe he'll come back a little early to Sheffield, but for the moment Mike (Mawer, strength and conditioning expert) talks to Whis and the guys daily and Alfie (Martin; Head Sports Rehabilitator) is on top of all the physio stuff."

The coach added: "Conns was a different problem - his injury went on for nine months, a separated shoulder will be nothing like that. He can still train his lower body.

"I had my right shoulder done twice and left once and I am very comfortable with the timeline were are working with here."

Whistle, 25, had his best-ever spell with Steelers last season, charting a 12+ in the plus-minus league stakes.

He played 61 games, more than any previous campaign, recording 14 goals and 11 assists for 25 points.

Fox, who had tried in vain to sign Brandon's goaltending brother Jackson earlier this Summer, acknowledged: "Whis was great, he is a guy I played up and down the lines all year long, he was key on the Penalty Kill and had Power Play time too.

"He will be important to us again next season."