Sheffield Steelers teenager Alex Graham loses chance to play in Czech Republic

The 17-year-old Dronfield forward, unable to play during the covid lockdown in the UK, had been selected for a trial in a Czech U20 league, his Sheffield Steelers' club announced recently.

For a player who has shown such promise, the experience of playing in a country ranked fifth in the world, would have been a step up the ladder.

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But Graham was only there a fortnight - and didn't play any games - before the threat of coronavirus meant a shutdown similar to the one in the UK.

"They cancelled the leagues there," he told The Star.

"I was with a senior team but when they cancelled the games I came home.

"I was only there a week or two and didn't get to play any games, just training sessions."

Graham said he had no other plans to play at the moment, other than waiting for Sheffield Steeldogs to ice - he is on a two-way deal with the NIHL outfit.

There is still some optimism that the NIHL will resume.

Meanwhile club official Dave Simms has said a fond farewell to winger Nikolay Lemtyugov, who has retired.

But Simms said his eventual replacement will doubtless fit into the line up just as well.

"I think we all enjoyed having Nikolay with us. Our first Russian. My understanding is that he has found work in the KHL broadcasting. Good luck to him," he said.

"He was certainly a favourite in the fan base. Fans love characters and he was one for sure.

"I’m sure when the season gets up and running our coach Aaron Fox will find a more than adequate replacement."

Former Sheffield Steeler Andre Malo on benefits of Italian spell for Marco Vallerand and Robert Dowd

*Jeremy Brodeur, the north American goaltender who fancied playing for Steelers after watching them from the sidelines last year, has now joined Knoxville Ice Bears in the American Southern Professional Hockey League.

Brodeur had been a back up to regular netminder Tomas Duba.

*Sheffield forward Robert Dowd scored on his 'loan' debut for Italian side Eppan Pirates on Saturday night.

*Ex Steelers winger Luke Ferrara 27, has left Coventry Blaze to sign a short-term contract with French side Boxers de Bordeaux.

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