“I think he will complement our group very well” says Foxy
Aaron Fox has completed his defensive signings after adding experienced blue-liner Jack Dougherty to the Steelers side for the 2025-26 Elite League season.
Dougherty was drafted by Nashville Predators in the 2nd round (51st overall) of the 2014 NHL draft.
After turning pro in 2015-16 with Milwaukee, Jack went on to have an outstanding North American career, playing for 8 seasons (314 regular season AHL games) with Milwaukee, Rochester and Belleville before Europe beckoned and Jack moved to Kölner at the end of 2023 in the German DEL. The following season saw a move to Nürnberg Ice Tigers before moving last season to Austria and the Vienna Capitals.
Head Coach Aaron Fox said “Jack is a versatile defenseman that does all the little things right needed to win hockey games.
“He will play physical and get stops defensively, he blocks a ton of shots and is really smart on executing his retrievals and regroups.
“Jack was a full time AHL D man with European stops in the DEL and Austria. I think he will complement our group very well and will be someone we rely heavy on for the PK.
“I’m looking forward to working with him”
For his part, Dougherty commented “Aaron Fox didn’t have to work hard on selling the Steelers to me, I had heard many great things about the club and organisation so when the chance came up I was very happy to listen to what was being said.
“Then you add to that the signing of Evan Jasper who I played with last year and I thought Sheffield was the place for my wife and I head to”.
Aaron Fox recently met up with Jack for a chat “It was good to meet the coach rather than just chat and e-mail, we discussed lots of things over coffee and I liked what I heard”.
Asked about his playing style Jack replied “I’m a two way defenseman that can play in all situations. I love killing penalties and I’m the guy you send over the boards in the last two minutes of a game to see it out, that’s my gig.
“I work hard, I’m an experienced guy and I hope that rubs off on the team, I’m here to do whatever is needed to help us win”.
Be a Jack Dougherty Kit Sponsor from 7pm Tonight
Just visit the kit sponsorship section at the Steelers online store “HERE” from 7pm tonight (Monday 21st July) and you can be associated with our latest signing in his Bio on the web site as well as in the match night programme every issue.
Also, you will be invited to the players kit sponsorship night at the Steelers Sports Bar before Christmas where you will have your own special photo take with Jack.
Will “Dougherty” be on the back of your shirt?
You can pre-order your Steelers replica shirt for next season – and guarantee its collection at the Steelers shirt launch / meet the players night on Friday 5th September at the Utilita Arena – your order must be made by midnight on Sunday 31st July to guarantee your shirt will be available that night.
Click HERE to Pre Order
