'Warrior' Eric Meland will be missed when he leaves Steelers, coach Aaron Fox says

Eric Meland is chaired off the ice in his last game: Pic by Dean Woolley

But the unexpected move from the skater at least prevented, or delayed, the necessity to fire any other import, as the club conforms to requirements for the number of overseas-players on the ice.

Aaron Johnson and James Bettauer should be back from injury this week. Johnson might play in Wednesday's Challenge Cup semi final.

Meland's decision to return to America to train to be a dentist will also trim the wage bill, without Fox having to sacrifice anybody.

The 30-year-old only broke the news to the coach 24 hours before Sunday's win over Glasgow Clan.

He had been playing through wrist, knee and shoulder injuries. But, more pertinently, had been been offered a place in dental college, something that had previously not been available to him.

Asked if he tried to dissuade Meland from leaving, Fox replied: "Yeah, these weren't easy conversations. I don't like losing players.

"I know where he is coming from though. He has got medical (career) plans in his future.

"I have not seen him in two months without an ice bag on some part of his body. He has been a warrior and is going through a lot of pain and problems. I am not going to hold guys back from things they aspire or dream for."

The coach added: "If I kept everybody there would be three healthy bodies sitting in the stands. He (Meland) says: 'I don't need this job I am going into dental school and if it saves one of my team-mates getting fired I can move forward and do some other things.' "

Meland will remain, technically, on the roster, and promises to return if further injuries crop up, Fox said, describing that as an after-transfer deadline (Feb 15) bonus.

"His character is going to be missed, he is a really good person. He gets along with the group. Do I want to see him go? No. Was I shocked to have that conversation with him? I absolutely was. For me the silver lining is I don't have to fire somebody right now."

Meland gets a farewell hug from Anthony DeLuca

Fox said the decision coaches had to make when they have too many players is always based on form.

"There are some forwards playing some pretty good hockey right now. Find me three names that you want to sit in the stands right now...it wouldn't be easy."

Bettauer had played 20 games in Germany's DEL last year and he would become the new versatile option.

"He is very capable of playing some forward if we need him."