Sheffield Steelers' Robert Dowd on how lockdown has been a positive time

But Sheffield Steelers have a player who has managed to turn such a huge negative into a personal positive.

Robert Dowd's heart goes out to all those families affected by coronavirus.

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The fact that the EIHL has been closed for so long because of the pandemic, though, has aided his recovery after rupturing his AC joint, last year.

"I know it has been horrible, but it has worked out good for me," said Dowd, of the lockdown.

"It has given me nothing but time to work on myself and get completely fit, in aerobics and strength, instead of having to rush back.

"During the lockdown I converted my garage into a gym. At home you are limited with equipment so once the gyms opened up I could lift bigger and heavier weights and have a better training regime. I've packed plenty of muscle mass on."

Dowd hurt his shoulder against Glasgow Clan last December.

That ended his domestic season, but he'd been hopeful that he could ice for Britain in the World Championships in May. That tournament was axed.

"It was touch-and-go whether I'd be ready for GB, then it got cancelled off, so it's given me time to rehab properly.

"Normally we only get a limited amount of time to lift weights before you have to do the other aspects of your training before the hockey starts. The other day I was lifting Personal Bests!"

The forward had been a spectator at March's Challenge Cup final, when Sheffield beat Cardiff Devils.

"At that time we thought it (pandemic) would bring a month or two of change. No one could have predicted what impact it would have.

"We live in a completely changed time -if we do get back to normal, how normal is normal going to be? Will masks be a thing from now on, you don't know."

Dowd hopes that European countries who are organising games with 75-80% capacity crowds - all spectators wearing masks - sends a promising signal to the UK.

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He remains optimistic the EIHL will stage some form of competition, whether it starts in December or in the new year.

"Obviously Sheffield is my preferred place to play and I'm under contract there," said Dowd.

"But if it comes to a point where they say there's going to be no hockey then I am obviously going to have to look to play somewhere.

"Now, where I am in my career, I don't think I'd be able to go a year and a half without hockey and then expect to play at top calibre in September 2021 if the season doesn't start until then.

"I'd have to look at my options, whether it is Europe or whatever.

"If Foxy (coach Aaron Fox) says: 'I'd like you to go out on loan to stay in shape' then I'd be more than happy to.

"The club has been nothing but great and fair to me over the years.

"So I wouldn't want to jump ship. Sheffield's my home; I don't want to play anywhere else. But if needs must in the coming months then that's the way is it.

"Right now I have everything crossed there will be a league - I am hopeful. I am raring to go and ready - more than ready."

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