Why Sheffield Steelers' Ben O'Connor won't be following his teammates abroad

The 380-game Steeler has opted to join Sheffield Steeldogs in the domestic second-flight and he doesn't regret it for a minute.

Former Sheffield GB team-mates Davey Phillips (Dunaujuarosi Acelbikak, Hungary) and Robert Dowd (Eppan, Italy) have moved on following the switch of Cole Shudra to Nittorps in Sweden.

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

The Brits have all been forced to seek a salary overseas following the freezing of EIHL hockey, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

O'Connor said: "I am very pleased Dowdy and Davey have found work, it is great for them.

"Everybody's situation is different though.

"My priority is my family and becoming a father again (December) and I would not want to play abroad.

"I still think there will be behind-closed-doors hockey in the NIHL (Steeldogs' league) and I am looking forward to that."

Davey Phillips' move had not been widely anticipated.

O'Connor said: "Davey is awesome one of my best mates, he's that player on the team that really brightens up the room, keeps everyone in check. I have played with him for a few years now and as a D partner I loved playing with him."

The GB regular added he was also looking forward to hearing where Steelers' captain Jonathan Phillips will end up.

The loss of players from Steelers' roster has been an awkward fact of life to swallow for arena fans.

But there is an acceptance that 'players must play.'

As well as the Brits, Steeler imports have moved on.

James Bettauer has gone to Ravensburg Towerstars in Germany, Josef Hrabal to HC Prerov in the Czech Republic and Brendan Connolly will ice for Greenville Swamp Rabbits in America.

Marco Vallerand is awaiting his visa clearance to play with Dowd and former Steeler Martin St Pierre at Eppan.

Sheffield Steelers forward Brendan Connolly off to America

Steelers' official Dave Simms says: "We are all delighted for our players who have found jobs elsewhere.

"Aaron Fox has been trying to find places for guys for a while now and he is using his contacts around Europe to open up opportunities for the guys.

"The more players who find work the better not only for them but for us as we want them fit and playing and hopefully ready to return to us when we are up and running."

Meanwhile, the EIHL has formally requested government funding "as part of Ice Hockey UK’s overall response to the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, which required detailed information about finances that would enable the sport to operate sustainably."

Ice hockey wants to "benefit from the same kind of support as other sports have already received from government."

Chairman Tony Smith, the owner of Steelers, commented: “When we took the decision to suspend our 2020/21 season, we were very clear that the only way we would be able to play would be if crowd numbers were increased or support was available from the government to offset the loss of income.

"We have seen other sports be awarded grants recently and we believe we have made the case for professional ice hockey in the UK.

“If sufficient funding were to be available to us, then of course we would look at every option as to how we can organise some form of season in early 2021. However, this decision now rests firmly with the government."

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