The Get Real Guide to The Sheffield Steelers

League: Elite League

Founded: 1991

Home: Motorpoint Arena (Sheffield Arena), Sheffield

Colours: Orange, White, Teal

The Sheffield Steelers have become one of the biggest names in British ice hockey as famous on the ice as they are their antics off the ice. Take their name from the product that Sheffield exported to the world the Steelers were the first arena team in Great Britain as they moved into the new Sheffield Arena.

After entering the British league the Steelers spent big and won big by winning the last ever British League title in 1996. The season after the Steelers became founder members of the new Independent Superleague. Despite struggle somewhat in the early days of the Superleague the club set attendance records and in 1998 the Steelers played the Manchester Storm at the MEN Arena in Manchester in front of a capacity 17,500 people; the highest ever attendance in British ice hockey.

Despite struggling in the league the Steelers did win the challenge cup in 1999 and 2000 as well as the playoff title in 1997 before their first Superleague title. That title came in 2001 along with 2 cup titles although it was at a cost to side after the club were found guilty of financial misdealing’s and fined £20,000. It was a controversial decision as the Steelers were allowed to keep the titles and had reportedly won more in prize money than the fine. Before the end of the Superleague in 2003 the Steelers would add another league, playoff and cup title.

With the start of the Elite League in 2003 the Steelers became founder members and were instantly successful. The Steelers were the first Elite League winners and added the playoff title that same year.

After some lean years with silverware the Steelers bounced back. Firstly winning the back-to-back playoff titles in 2008 and 2009 and then league titles 2009 and 2011.

This season the Steelers are once again in contention for the league title but have missed out on the challenge cup semi-finals. Despite their troubles in the past with money that included 3 owners in 2 years the Steelers seem to again be on a sure footing and looking to the future.

Honours

League Championships

§  1994–95, 1995–96, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2008–09, 2010-11

Play Off Championships

§  1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2007–08, 2008–09

Autumn Cups

§  1995–96, 2000–01

Challenge Cups

§  1998–99, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2002–03

20-20 Hockeyfest Tournament

§  2009-10

Websites

Official www.sheffieldsteelersihc.com

Forum http://www.steeltalk.hockeytweets.co.uk/phpBB3/index.php

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com