Curtis Warburton: Sheffield Steelers announce new signing as goaltender returns home

Curtis Warburton is heading back to Sheffield ice hockey to resume his hopes of a pathway to the top league.

The young goaltender, who was on Steelers and Hull Stingrays' books between 2020-23, left his home area last summer to get more ice time with Scottish side Solway Sharks.

He played around half of their NIHL games.

Recently the Dumfries club announced they were recruiting Scottish netminder Jordan Marr.

And that was a forerunner to today's announcement that 6ft6 2ins Warburton had inked a new two-way contract with EIHL Steelers and Steeldogs.

The 22-year-old, who played his junior career in Sheffield, said: "It’s good to be back home.

"This is the place where I started playing hockey and I’m excited to further my development in Sheffield. The aim, of course, is to be a Steeler but to do that I know my performances for the Dogs have to be of the highest quality.

"I'm already focused on next season and working hard in the gym, so I am ready to help bring success to Sheffield."

Steelers' coach Aaron Fox added: "Curtis coming back to the club was an obvious choice.

"I fully understood him leaving last year to get some proper game time and now with the Steeler/Dogs relationship, this is a great opportunity to get him back home and develop with both clubs.

"He’s a great kid who I’m happy to have back with us".

Steeldogs have lost both Steelers' veteran Jason Hewitt and goalie Dmitri Zimozdra to Hull, for 2024-25.

But their coach Ben Morgan is happy to see the iceSheffield goaltending situation strengthened.

"We’re delighted to bring Curtis back to the club" he commented.

"We said from day one that there was a lot of Sheffield talent around the league playing for different clubs and that we wanted to bring it back home, today is another step.

"Curtis has gained some valuable experience in recent years since the last time we saw him in a Steeldogs jersey.

"Daily training with the Steelers, alongside a starting position last season in the NIHL has done Curtis the world of good and we look forward to seeing his game mature with us next season.

"Like all players in next season’s team, Curtis will be in direct healthy competition for a spot.

"Knowing Curtis and his nature, this will be a challenge which I’m sure he will relish."