The 2026/27 Elite League season will mark Robert Dowd’s 19th campaign with the Sheffield Steelers, having first pulled on the jersey during the 2006/07 season.

The club captain committed his future to the Steelers in April 2026, signing a new two-year contract to extend his remarkable tenure in Sheffield.

Dowd’s career has been closely tied to the Steelers, with only brief spells away—one season with the Belfast Giants in 2011/12 and another in Sweden with Troja-Ljungby in 2012/13—before returning home ahead of the 2013/14 campaign.

Earlier this season, Dowd etched his name even deeper into club history by becoming the Steelers’ all-time leading goal scorer, surpassing Steve Nemeth’s long-standing record of 356 goals. The captain now stands on 383 goals for the club. He also sits second in all-time appearances with 936 games, behind only Jonathan Phillips (1,042).

Dowd famously led the Steelers to the 2024 Grand Slam, adding to an already glittering collection of silverware achieved in both Sheffield and Belfast.

On the international stage, Dowd represented England at Under-18 and Under-20 level before making his senior debut for Great Britain in 2009. Since then, he has been a mainstay of the national team, earning over 100 caps.

“Sheffield is my home now. This is where I live, where my kids were born, and where I want to help win many more trophies with the Steelers.

“I was delighted to sign this new deal with the club. I’m as committed to the Steelers and the fans as they are to me.

“Individual milestones are something I’ll reflect on when I retire, but my focus right now is on winning trophies—and I’m confident we can achieve that over the next two seasons.”