Sheffield Steelers

Sheffield Steelers Season 2025-26

A New Season Dawns in Sheffield: Steelers Gear Up for Title Push

The Sheffield Steelers head into the 2025–26 season under the continued leadership of Head Coach and GM Aaron Fox, looking to reclaim domestic dominance and build on international progress. After a trophyless 2024–25 campaign that followed their Grand Slam season, Sheffield return with renewed drive, experienced leadership, and one of the most complete rosters in the EIHL.

While last season’s CHL knockout-stage qualification and a historic win in Sweden were highlights (Get it on the Stick of #88!)…, the lack of silverware at home left unfinished business. With a strong British core, savvy imports, and key upgrades across all areas, the Steelers are primed for another serious title run.

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Roster and New Signings Overview: Balance, Depth, and Ambition

Sheffield’s roster blends cohesion with calculated change. Key returnees keep the team’s identity intact, while new arrivals add experience, skill, and a fresh competitive edge.

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Goaltending

Verdict: Arguably the best goalie pairing in the league. Greenfield and McAdam offer reliability and flexibility across all competitions.

Departed:

• Marco De Filippo – Stepped in during injury cover last season before suffering one himself.

Returning:

• Matthew Greenfield – The All-Star netminder is back on a multi-year deal. His calm under pressure and CHL form make him arguably the top goaltender in the league.
• Alex Oldale – Young British prospect joins on a two-way with the Steeldogs.
• Curtis Warburton – British netminder is back, ready to back up the imports and give the outfield quota a helping hand.

New Signing:

• Eamon McAdam – Arrives from Guildford to form an elite tandem. Three strong seasons with the Flames show he’s more than just a backup but knows his role with Greenfield in his pomp.

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Defence

Verdict: Strong top-to-bottom, with size, mobility, and leadership. Built to hold leads and break up transitions.

Departed:

• Sacha Guimond – the offensive defenceman never really showed the productivity like his previous seasons. He’s moved to the Alps league in Gherdeina a club of former Steelers player Anthony DeLuca.
• Veeti Vainio – The Finn came in and provided injury cover but then also got injured. Still awaiting a new club.
• Colton Saucerman – A grand slam winner in 23-24 was a fan favourite, but Sauce has now moved to play at the SkyDome in Coventry.

Returning:

• Kevin Tansey – Physical, dependable, and still a fan favourite.
• Brien Diffley – Steady and intelligent, entering year three in Sheffield while completing his MBA.
• Dominic Cormier – A smooth-skating, offensive weapon from the blue line, now on a two-year deal.
• Joona Huttula – Quietly effective, poised for an even better second year.
• Reece Kelly – Young Brit with growth potential, needs to get minutes logged to develop.

New Signings:

• Jordon Southorn – Veteran with championship pedigree from France. Physical, experienced, and reliable.
• Jack Dougherty – Brings NHL experience and size, should provide all-situations stability.

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Forwards

Verdict: Despite some key exits, the new look forward group has dynamism and offensive upside across all lines.

Departed:

• Marco Vallerand – The highly popular goal scorer and fan favourite departs to Hannover in Germany after 5 stints with the Steelers and will be missed both on and off the ice. Vallytown… Merci, it was a pleasure!
• Patrick Watling – after waving bye to the Glasgow Clan in the playoff quarter finals, the action returned against by fellow retiree Sam Herr of the Panthers in OT winner in the Semis. He has now hung up his skates but was an absolute joy to watch during his 2 years in Sheffield.
• Daniel Leavens – Another player that is retiring after looking promising in the CHL at the start of the year, Leavens failed to bring that through into the domestic season.
• Joel Janatuinen – Injury setbacks limited his influence. The gamble to get a player of his resume and caliber didn’t pay off due to his injury the season prior.
• Brandon Whistle – A huge loss for the Steelers with Whistle going to title rivals Belfast and the Steelers losing a high quality Brit.
• Finlay Ulrick – Two key Brit departures that leave depth holes.

Returning:

• Robert Dowd – Captain, record-holder, and emotional leader. His on-ice IQ remains a major asset.
• Mitchell Balmas – The elite level forward will be relied upon once again for primary scoring
• Mikko Juusola – Someone order ‘Juus’? The Finn is back to once again be a top line winger in the EIHL.
• Cole Shudra – Shudra returns to provide British depth
• Sam Tremblay – All return after solid contributions, forming the backbone of the Steelers’ offensive consistency.

New Signings:

• Ryan Tait – Also joins McAdam from Guildford, he’s one of the league’s most efficient forwards in recent years. Bringing instant offense, elite speed and EIHL experience.
• Cliff Pu – Former AHL standout with serious upside. Creative, pace in bunches, and a potential game-breaker.
• Evan Jasper – A proven performer in the ICEHL. His combination of pace, skill, and hockey sense could make him one of the league’s most dangerous wingers. Evan has signed a two year deal.
• Derek Gentile – Overall #1 in the Canadian USports league last year at Saint Mary’s University and good mates with Mitchell Balmas.
• Nick Seitz – Arrives from Coventry with a season of EIHL hockey under him and was 3rd overall in points last year.
• Logan Neilson – Young and hungry talent looking to make his mark, Logan joins from Nottingham and a GB international. A rarity being a right handed shot right winger.
• Stephen Harper – Physical forward with net-front presence and positional versatility, offering consistent secondary scoring and defensive reliability. He’s exactly the type of complementary piece a senior squad would prize in high-intensity matchups.

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One to Watch: Evan Jasper

Jasper arrives with top-line experience in one of Europe’s stronger leagues and looks perfectly suited to Fox’s aggressive transition system. He’s fast, reads the game well, and has a proven scoring touch. If he finds chemistry early, he could emerge as one of the EIHL’s elite forwards and a potential difference-maker in tight games.

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Final Verdict and EIHL Dream Team Prediction –

Sheffield enter 2025–26 with purpose. They’ve built a roster capable of winning now, experienced, physical, and explosive. With an elite goalie tandem, a deep blue line, and forwards who can hurt teams in multiple ways, the Steelers have everything in place to challenge for the league title and beyond.

League Prediction: 1st place – Champions-in-waiting if they stay healthy and find the right line balance early.