The Sheffield Steelers and Sheffield Steeldogs, in collaboration with the Sheffield Ice Hockey Academy, have announced a landmark partnership designed to build the most comprehensive player development pathway in the UK.
This pioneering alliance for the 2025 season will establish Sheffield as the first UK city offering an unbroken progression through every level of the sport from youth hockey through to the elite level, empowering young talent to pursue their dreams in the sport.
The partnership includes a transformative investment in the Sheffield Scimitars NIHL team, setting the stage for a seamless player journey from Under 10s all the way to the pros.
The Steelers, a long-standing and dominant force in the Elite League and current treble trophy champions, have already made strides in enhancing player development since acquiring the Steeldogs in 2023.
“An unrivalled pathway for hockey in the UK”
Photo credit: Sheffield Ice Hockey Academy
Sheffield Steelers owner Tony Smith said: “This partnership creates an unrivalled pathway for hockey in the UK, underscoring our commitment to nurturing talent and building Sheffield into a hub for player development.”
Steelers head coach Aaron Fox was also delighted with the agreement, adding: “Having a pathway from the grassroots can only assist the professional game in the years to come.
“We have already found the collaboration with the Steeldogs most useful, being able to use the likes of Finlay Ulrick, Nathan Ripley and Ivan Bjorkly Nordstrom has assisted both our club and their development greatly.
“There seems a great appetite from all involved to increase this chain effect all the way through the academy to the Steelers.
“This is exactly how it should be, and I am proud to be at a club that is encouraging this pathway. Every youngster starting out on their hockey journey in Sheffield now knows there is a route to the professional game with the Steelers.”
The Sheffield legacy
Photo credit: Sheffield Steelers
The Sheffield Ice Hockey Academy, the UK’s largest hockey academy with 190 registered players, boasts an impressive legacy, producing stars like Liam Kirk, Ben O’Connor, Ben Bowns and the Steeldogs’ own Ben Morgan, who now serves as head coach of the Steeldogs.
“Having come through this academy myself, I know how crucial it is to have solid development,” Morgan said.
“This collaboration will give young players the support and resources they need to reach their highest potential.”
Recent appointments within the academy’s coaching leadership team, including Mark Illingworth, Martin White, and the Steeldogs’ head of development Steve Weeks, will drive a cohesive coaching approach, integrating training programs across all levels to ensure a smooth transition for players as they advance.
Abi White, chair of Sheffield Ice Hockey Academy, said: “We’re building a future where Sheffield is the go-to destination for aspiring hockey players. This partnership is a significant step toward making that vision a reality.”
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