Sheffield Steelers birthday boy Cole Shudra will have two clubs rooting for him when ice hockey season starts

Sheffield Steelers made the decision to 'loan' him out to Steeldogs, their next door neighbours, for the 2020-21 campaign.

But Shudra - who turned 22 today will be allowed to return to the Steelers team at any time, says Dogs head coach Ben Morgan.

"Cole will play a big role for us this season and will be expected to stamp his authority at least from the back," said Morgan.

"He will continue to be involved with the Steelers and train each week allowing him to be called up should they need him which won’t be an issue as the relationship and communication between the two clubs has been excellent."

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Morgan sees him as a potential leader at iceSheffield.

Over at the arena, import skater Marco Vallerand also believes Shudra will show his mettle and stay very much a part of the senior team's plans.

Vallerand, who is nine years older, had to battle through the ECHL and AHL for ice time before trying his luck in Europe, where he's been hugely successful.

He advised Shudra: "Your mindset needs to be on not playing with the Steeldogs, your mindset coming in needs to be: 'I am going to stay in Sheffield and make them play me."

Referring to Shudra and teammate and other two-way Steeldog prospect Alex Graham, the Canadian added: "They want ice time and they need to show that to Aaron (Fox; Steelers coach.)

"Some advice I can give them is to put in the extra work - the thing is they already do that!

"They are important guys on our team, they are great guys in the locker room and they do their job so well."

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Fellow import Lucas Sandstrom added: "As a young player it's all about getting ice-time, it doesn't really matter where you get it as long as you get to play a lot. Be patient, practice hard and remember it's' not a sprint it's a marathon!"

The notion of a season for any of them to play in remains on hold - Glasgow Clan's chief operating officer Gareth Chalmers, for one, is dubious.

“We aim to go ahead later this year like everyone else, but I’m highly sceptical,” he told the Glasgow Herald.

“Unless we can get the green light from the government and no social distancing in the venues, that’s the only way we can start.

“It’s very high risk, even trying to play this year, no matter which way you look at it. We may end up having to hibernate and return in 2021 much bigger and stronger going forward, once we can get past the pandemic.”

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