Sheffield Steelers: Tanner Eberle's plus points make him vital asset

But the 'plus-minus' system in ice hockey often opens a window on a specific player's value to the team.

Take Tanner Eberle...any team in the EIHL probably would right now.

The Sheffield Steelers' winger may be perceived as down the pecking order when it comes the firepower-forwards who dominate the scoring table.

But Eberle tops the whole League in the player plus-minus column - the data which tells you if a skater is on the ice when his team scores, or is scored upon.

The forward is +17 after 20 League games, which reveals how reliable an asset he is.

When he's out there, good things generally happen.

While his figures are the best in the division, there are Sheffield team-mates close to him...again players who don't always court the headlines.

Eric Meland is second in the EIHL ratings with +13 and Aaron Brocklehurst is fourth with +10.

Coach Aaron Fox commended Eberle for elevating the team's emotions at Coventry Blaze, last Sunday, suggesting his all-or-nothing style was a contagious influence to the others.

Referring to his EIHL-leading figures, he said: "It is a huge stat. Tanner has moved up and down our line up all year long and arguably one of our most important players for what he brings in a two-way game.

"He is one of a few guys who you know exactly what you are going to get every single night with him on the ice and you love that as a coach."

Eberle will be in the side on Wednesday night for Sheffield's first clash of the season against Belfast Giants.

Fox knows the season can hinge on results against fellow-title contenders.

"If Belfast and Cardiff (Devils) aren't somewhere near the top at the end of the year I would be very surprised so those are the two teams we kind of looked at and tried to find a way to close the gap on.

"They got off to a good start, maybe a little inconsistent, I watched their Champions Hockey League games and they played fast, physical and heavy game and I know that we are a good hockey team and it will be another good tapemark game for us."

Fox said his team would "play our style of hockey and hopefully make them adapt to how we want to play and the style of our game and we will see what the night brings."