Why Cole Shudra will be playing against Sheffield this season
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
and live on Freeview channel 276
The 6ft 2ins skater appeared 49 times on Sheffield Steelers' roster last year as well as icing a couple of games for Steeldogs.
When the 2020-21 EIHL season failed to face off because of the coronavirus lockdown, Shudra tried his luck at Nittorps IK, in Sweden, until the virus poleaxed that league too.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdSome Sheffield hockey fans had expected his name to crop up on the Steeldogs' roster again, when the NIHL Spring Cup tournament was sanctioned here, by the authorities.
But Shudra, who was farmed out to Milton Keynes Lightning after signing a two year deal with Steelers in the summer of 2018, didn't get a deal back at iceSheffield.
Instead, Telford Tigers nipped in to snap him up and the player makes his debut for Tom Watkins' team this weekend.
Shudra, 22, explained: "I was enjoying playing in Sweden until the Government there was forced to clampdown with more Covid restrictions.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"There had been an outbreak in the league and some of the teams had a lot of cases so we weren't able to play," said the son of Steelers' legend 'Rocket Ron.'
"We had two or three guys on our team who caught it but we were tested regularly so we were able to get the guys isolated away from the others.
"The games were postponed and eventually it was decided to just cancel the season. That was a shame but I appreciated my time there."
When the Spring Cup was announced, Shudra re-ignited his hopes of playing in England again.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"I had a couple of talks with Steeldogs but they wanted to keep most of their core group and keep them happy so it was a case of they were full so I had a look elsewhere.
"I messaged some coaches to see if they had got some spots and Tom in Telford said he had one for me. That was great and we play our first game on Saturday against London (Raiders.)"
Shudra, who will doubtless be keen to face Steeldogs on March 13, in the cup series, says he is in decent shape despite playing only four games since March.
"I have managed to skate quite a lot, especially when restrictions were eased a little bit. I don't feel rusty at all, I feel fine, it all comes back pretty quick."