Club News
The Sheffield Steelers summer recruiting hit new heights today when the club confirmed that former NHL'er Steven Goertzen had signed a two year contract.
Goertzen's illustrious past includes 68 NHL games with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Phoenix Coyotes and the Carolina Hurricanes. In addition the 6'1 220lb winger has over 400 American league games under his belt.
"I couldn't be happier" said head coach Ryan Finnerty "this has been a hard long slog but at the end of the day we got our man. We have signed quality here, quality and leadership and a player still with a career ahead of him. The guy is still only 28 years of age.
"What I liked about him from the first moment we spoke was that he isn't coming here to be any different from the player he has been over in North America. We haven't signed this guy to be our top scorer, we have signed this guy to be a big power forward who fore checks hard and plays with an edge. You don't play where Steve has played for as long as he has played there if your not something pretty special"
It won't be Goertzen's first year out of North America, last season he played in the Czech leagues with BK Mlada Boleslav
"This is a new challenge and one I'm excited about" said Goertzen "I spoke long and hard with Ryan Finnerty and he made me feel very comfortable with the league and the team in Sheffield. I've heard a lot of good things about the Steelers and Sheffield as a City. I'm excited about the two years and the education with the University of Sheffield"
Goertzen confirmed Finnerty's thoughts on the power forwards style of play "I'm a hard nosed forward, I earn respect by being a hard working player for my team. I pride my self on my all around play, whilst I'm not know for being an overly offensive player I'm comfortable contributing points on the board
"I've been a leader wherever I have played, its a role I enjoy and I'm comfortable with. I've heard nothing but good things about the club and the guys I will be joining, we are all the same, we all want to win and be part of something special going forward. I can't wait to arrive"
Career Stats: http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10320
