Tim Smith was dealt a cruel blow back in January this year. He was playing some of the best games of his career, consistent performances as ever. During a game at iceSheffield, he was injured and you knew it was a bad one with his reaction on the ice. He went for a medical assessment, had MRI scans and saw a specialist; the news was not good for #42.
‘I tore my MCL ligament and needed to have a knee brace on for 12 weeks. For the first couple of weeks they didn’t think it was a bad as it was. Once the brace came off I had another 8 weeks of physio. During this time my rehab included some exercises to complete but nothing too strenuous. After that I was given the green light to do some light running and gentle skating. Then at the start of July I was given the all clear to start skating properly so I hopped on as many sessions with the kids as I could to build up. My first real session back was in front of 700 people!’
‘It was tough mentally to deal with this, you really want to play and you think about what you’re missing out on. I really didn’t want to miss those play offs. I kept in touch with the team all the way throughout the injury. I was here for some training sessions, came down on match nights and was around the boys and of course kept in touch with our group chat. This was my first long term injury throughout the time I have been playing here. I have tended to play around 90% of the season each time I have been here. When you are injured for this length of time, you don’t really know what to do with yourself. It was a difficult time and now I’m happy to be back and I am ready to play.’
‘I’ve been having some personal training sessions with Joe Cross (former Steeldogs player) to get back into shape and I regularly visit Powers Gym. When you’ve been out so long you have to work hard to get your fitness back. I feel good, I am fit and I am ready to hit the ground running. I am excited to get going this season, it made me realise that I do miss hockey.’
‘I have high hopes for the season, we always have the expectation now that we want some silverware. We have some quality experience on our room and on our night, we can be as good as anyone. We have some new leadership and some fresh ideas, so I see no reason why we can’t be knocking on the door for some silverware by the end of the year.’
Let’s show Tim and the Bradfield Brewery Sheffield Steeldogs some support on Sunday 10th and Thursday 14th September as they take on Solway Sharks and Hull Seahawks Ice Hockey CLub Official in pre-season action.
Tickets on sale now. Head across to our website:
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Tickets priced £10/£5
The away fans block is now situated in block 10. Centre ice views are available in block 3 and block 8.