Sheffield Steelers skipper Jonathan Phillips not surprised if league uncertainly causes teammates to consider move elsewhere

The lack of precise information over any potential start for the 2020-21 Elite League campaign is putting players' income and security in jeopardy.

Sheffield currently have 15 names on their provisional roster - for a season that might never happen. Eight of them are overseas-born players.

Club owner Tony Smith has admitted some of the imports and home-grown players may be getting "twitchy" about whether or not to remain on the EIHL roster or go instead to a country where coronavirus is perceived to be more under control and therefore a league season more likely.

Sheffield Steelers captain Jonathan Phillips trying to stay optimistic after 'surreal' few months

Phillips says it will all come down to professional sportsmen having to protect their income.

"Everybody is in a different position, financially and in their lives...many have families to look after and the normal outgoings," he says.

"They have to budget for themselves and do the best for their families.

"I wouldn't be surprised if people were making calls to teams and finding out what might be available.

"But that's the other problem: there is such a big pool of players out there looking for jobs, they are difficult to come by."

Phillips, at 38, knows he, himself, simply has to play somewhere next season, if he is to maintain his on-ice performance levels.

In a worst-case scenario and the EIHL season does not go ahead, he says: "I will have to do something.

"Going abroad? Who knows? I have not thought that far.

"I definitely wouldn't want to spend a year off the ice - it would be bananas to think I could do that and then start up again the next (2021-22) season."

Asked if he'd feel a potential berth at Sheffield Steeldogs would be attractive, in a non-EIHL landscape, he replied: "To be honest anything is possible as long as the playing level is decent and you get significant training. I certainly wouldn't say no (to the prospect.)

"But it wouldn't be great for the Elite League if it got mothballed for a whole season."

Sheffield Steelers: Meeting could determine if EIHL ice hockey returns for 2020/21 season

Phillips said he did not think the pandemic situation had a bearing on the decision of Swinton-born goalie Ben Bowns to move from Cardiff Devils to Graz99ers in Austria.

"Bownsy has wanted to push himself and test himself abroad for a while. So I think the virus is just a coincidence. But there are other players (in the UK) who will think: 'Sod it' and move to a foreign league."

Elite League clubs are holding a meeting today (Wednesday) which could define whether EIHL ice hockey will return to some, if not all, arenas and ice rinks for season 2020-21.

All 10 clubs will have their say on whether they think it's viable for them to potentially take part...given the fact there seems little specific guidance coming from governmental coronavirus advisors at this stage.

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