He’s played a lot of NHL, AHL and KHL games including some DEL, Liiga and ICEHL.
So definitely experienced.
Steelers signings and departures
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steeler pete
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Jayboy
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Welcome to our new forward Sean Collins:
Collins arrives in Sheffield boasting one of the most impressive résumés in European hockey, having played more than 900 professional games across the NHL, AHL, KHL, Liiga, DEL and IceHL during a distinguished 16-year professional career. The Canadian forward brings a wealth of experience, leadership and versatility to Aaron Fox’s roster and is excited about the next chapter of his career in South Yorkshire.
https://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/exp ... -steelers/
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/1 ... an-collins
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Coll ... born_1988)
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/o ... ds-8691660
Collins arrives in Sheffield boasting one of the most impressive résumés in European hockey, having played more than 900 professional games across the NHL, AHL, KHL, Liiga, DEL and IceHL during a distinguished 16-year professional career. The Canadian forward brings a wealth of experience, leadership and versatility to Aaron Fox’s roster and is excited about the next chapter of his career in South Yorkshire.
Known for his all-round game and ability to contribute in every situation, Collins believes his experience will help him make an immediate impact with the Steelers.I had really good conversations with Aaron Fox and had an immediate good feeling about him, the club, the organisation and the city. I think the Steelers are a really good hockey club and I’m excited to be joining them. The timing felt right for me. I think it’s been around ten years since I last sat in an English-speaking locker room, so that will be a nice change.
Aaron Fox:I’d like to think of myself as a strong two-way player. I can play in all situations and against any line. I love taking big face-offs, that’s something I take a lot of pride in. I’ve gained a lot of experience throughout my career and I’ve always taken great care of myself. My family and I are excited about the opportunity in Sheffield and we’re hoping this is the start of a lengthy period of time with the club.
With experience gained at some of the highest levels of the game and a reputation as a dependable two-way centre, Collins adds size, leadership and proven quality to the Steelers roster as preparations continue for the 2026-27 season.Sean is a veteran centre who has played at the highest levels in North America and Europe.
He’s a big, competitive centreman who still skates extremely well for his size. He brings a strong two-way game and high-end leadership qualities every night. Sean has always been a top face-off guy and uses his size and skating ability effectively in all three zones. He played on both the power play and penalty kill last season and will be someone who can finish games for us and play up and down the line-up. I believe he’ll be a great leader on and off the ice. His work ethic and professionalism have allowed him to continue performing at such a high level this late into his career.
I’m really looking forward to having him in our line-up.
https://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/exp ... -steelers/
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/1 ... an-collins
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Coll ... born_1988)
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/o ... ds-8691660
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ginger
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Teissala - those Liiga stats are very good for a young Finn coming here. Fox's interview with Pete Spencer was interesting - asked for a player comparison and the answer was probably closest was Golod. So I'm expecting skill and creativity. Apparently will drop the gloves as well without being a heavyweight (I'm expecting similar to Dowd in this respect) which is more unusual for Finns (though not unheard of)
Collins - screams 3rd line centre. Bags of experience and excellent on draws. Good size too. Age/PTS don't worry me too much if he's coming in to a bottom 6 role similar to when Mark Simpson signed. Love the fact he prides himself on taking big draws - something we've missed for a while
2 top 6 centres to sign plus another bottom 6 forward. Get the 2 centres right, and I think we look pretty solid up front. On paper of course but where I'd expect us to be.
Sounds like Teissala is bringing a mate with him on D - not sure who but suspect will have Liiga experience too.
Collins - screams 3rd line centre. Bags of experience and excellent on draws. Good size too. Age/PTS don't worry me too much if he's coming in to a bottom 6 role similar to when Mark Simpson signed. Love the fact he prides himself on taking big draws - something we've missed for a while
2 top 6 centres to sign plus another bottom 6 forward. Get the 2 centres right, and I think we look pretty solid up front. On paper of course but where I'd expect us to be.
Sounds like Teissala is bringing a mate with him on D - not sure who but suspect will have Liiga experience too.
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Doom
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How best to put this.
Belfast sign Bates and that concerns me. A top end ECHL player joining an already established top end group of forwards.
Had Belfast signed Teissala and Collins i wouldn't have been too concerned.
Obviously it depends where our new guys fit in the lineup and the quality of our remaining forwards, so there is hope, but I think we need two top end centres.
At least Fox is trying to address our faceoff issue which cost us last season at crucial times.
If Collins is 3rd/4th line then that's not so bad, although Jasper (34)/Collins (37)/Dowd (38) would have to be the oldest line ever in the EIHL.
Regards
Doom
Belfast sign Bates and that concerns me. A top end ECHL player joining an already established top end group of forwards.
Had Belfast signed Teissala and Collins i wouldn't have been too concerned.
Obviously it depends where our new guys fit in the lineup and the quality of our remaining forwards, so there is hope, but I think we need two top end centres.
At least Fox is trying to address our faceoff issue which cost us last season at crucial times.
If Collins is 3rd/4th line then that's not so bad, although Jasper (34)/Collins (37)/Dowd (38) would have to be the oldest line ever in the EIHL.
Regards
Doom
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MLL79
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Looks good, I’m expecting a Scott Alan/Mark Simpson - esque guy, which would be great. As others have said this will go some way to address the bane of last year. Along with Whistle, who I also remember being good at it, we will hopefully be stronger on average at face off wins this year.
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ginger
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Fox's interview with Pete Spencer suggests Collins is pencilled in as 3C, but could in theory move up if chemistry etc works better. Sounds like he's a natural centre, who was top 5 in face-offs last year in ICEHL. PK guy who also good net front on the PP.
Interview also suggests after 2 more centres so seems to alleviate concerns on depth. The 2 final centres are key but don't sleep on Teissala. Better Liiga stats than Juusola, can fight and skilled looking at his highlights.
Also worth adding Dowd is somehow still producing at roughly a PPG from the 3rd line. Belfast might have the edge in top 9, but I think our 4th will be stronger.
A lot depends on final 2 centres and getting another offensive D
Interview also suggests after 2 more centres so seems to alleviate concerns on depth. The 2 final centres are key but don't sleep on Teissala. Better Liiga stats than Juusola, can fight and skilled looking at his highlights.
Also worth adding Dowd is somehow still producing at roughly a PPG from the 3rd line. Belfast might have the edge in top 9, but I think our 4th will be stronger.
A lot depends on final 2 centres and getting another offensive D
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paul johnston
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Are these two signings a Fox masterclass and break his mould or are they going to be more of the same? A 3/4th line winger from a better league and hoping he will do a top two line role for us and a very aged guy on a Uni deal who despite reassurances given may struggle with our schedule.
I do hope Jeevi can light the lamp and Sean lasts the distance. At least Sean is a natural centre that is historically good in the face off circle
I do hope Jeevi can light the lamp and Sean lasts the distance. At least Sean is a natural centre that is historically good in the face off circle
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Doom
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Certainly some concerns Paul.
Before passing final comment though, I need to see remaining forwards.
If we do sign 2 genuine top line centres (I'm not thinking someone 35 with a rapidly declining CV), then I think we could be OK.
I don't see either of the new guys scoring more than mid teens.....hopefully I'm wrong.
Regards
Doom
Before passing final comment though, I need to see remaining forwards.
If we do sign 2 genuine top line centres (I'm not thinking someone 35 with a rapidly declining CV), then I think we could be OK.
I don't see either of the new guys scoring more than mid teens.....hopefully I'm wrong.
Regards
Doom
For me this is why belfast are going to always be ahead of us, foxy is happy to take a chance on unearthing a gem from a European league or hoping an ex top player has still got a year in him whereas keefe goes for a tried and trusted signing (bates) amongst other returning top players. Maybe it's financial and foxy has to do things this way or belfast have a better set of agents,Im sure once again we will be competitive but probably not have enough proven quality to overturn them.
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Brian
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What worries me is we seem to be doing the same with recruiting as we did for the last two years and expecting different results. Richie was a much vaunted NHL player too but didn't make the team that much better and Pu and Gentile were maybe players who turned out to be never rather than maybe.
Perhaps the budget isn't there to compete with Belfast. Perhaps Tony is happy to produce a popular Saturday night of entertainment every week which as we have seen gives full houses without necessarily winning trophies. Perhaps being able to compete is enough .
Maybe we are expecting too much. I don't know.
Perhaps the budget isn't there to compete with Belfast. Perhaps Tony is happy to produce a popular Saturday night of entertainment every week which as we have seen gives full houses without necessarily winning trophies. Perhaps being able to compete is enough .
Maybe we are expecting too much. I don't know.