The Sheffield Steelers have confirmed the signing of forward Samual Tremblay from the Sheffield Steeldogs for the remainder of the season.
Tremblay played for the Steelers at the start of the year in our successful Champions Hockey League campaign before returning to the Steeldogs, helping them climb the table and have a much more settled and successful year.
The excellent news for the Steeldogs is that Sam has already put pen to paper on a new contract for next season where he will once again line up at ICE Sheffield in the National League.
Steelers head coach Aaron Fox said “Trembs played an important role in our CHL success and plays the game with high compete level and will bring an important two way game to our group.
“He can play multiple positions and be slotted up and down our lineup. With our current situation and the deadline looming we needed to add someone that we know will help us. The player market is as thin as I’ve ever seen so I felt like this was a decision we needed to make and the best addition out there was someone right across the road who knows our systems and played really well with us.
“When I spoke about this opportunity with Trembs this summer I knew his schooling wouldn’t allow him to be with us for a full season but with only a couple months left both sides wanted to make this work.
“I do understand that this will affect the Steeldogs which I can understand will leave some of their fans upset as he’s a key guy for them. What I think they will be happy to hear is Trembs is signed back to the Steeldogs for next year as well and is committed to help build something special there.
“This will also allow a couple of the Brits to step up with some more ice time as well. It’s been a great first year relationship with the two way options and we plan to build off this year’s success and continue to close that gap with those teams at the top.
“I also believe this shows how strong this relationship is between both organisations. From a recruiting angle when you can show this potential pathway for players it will only open up higher quality imports that may look at this situation differently now as well. I do appreciate the ownership along with Jamie and Morgs for getting on board as I know it’s not an easy one for them in this”.
Club owner Tony Smith said “this is an unusual situation but one I believe will help both sides moving forward. It will of course be tough one for some Steeldogs fans but I would ask that they trust the process here, this is part of the building blocks as we build a new and exciting Steeldogs club that can attract the best players from abroad and here in the UK
“Players will see that there is a pathway when joining the Steeldogs should they perform well where they can move forward with their careers, Sam will be assisting us in that process next season when back with us at ICE Sheffield”