With Deadline Day upon us and the transfer window slamming shut who’s been moving where?
There have been a few confirmed moves so far so let’s run through them now.
The Steelers announced the loan signing of Nico Feldner from HC Innsbruck in Austria.
The 23-year-old has spent his entire career in his home country so far making appearances for RB Hockey Juniors, EC Salzburg and Innsbruck.
The young right-winger has also iced 10 times for Austria U20s in the Junior World Championships.
In the 44 appearances he’s made for Innsbruck this season he has amassed 24 points, scoring 10 and assisting 14.
Feldner will remain on loan until the end of the season.
Head Coach Aaron Fox had this to say about the talented youngster:
“Nico is a big-bodied forward who had a breakout year in Austria this year. At 23 years old he played big minutes and also contributed on their Powerplay.
“He finished the year with 24 points in 44 games. He’s looking forward to extending his season and come in to help us achieve our goals.”
Fox managed to secure another move from HC Innsbruck adding D-man Antonin Boruta to the roster.
Boruta is an experienced blueliner having played 18 seasons in his native Czech Republic.
He moved to Innsbruck this term and has now signed for the Steelers until the end of the season.
In his best year for former side Orli Znojmo Boruta scored 28 points in 46 appearances showing he can add in attack as well as defence.
At 6ft 1in he’s a big guy as well adding physicality to the Sheffield D-line.
Fox said of the signing:
“Antonin is a solid 2 Way Czech D who skates well and will give us some much-needed depth during the run in.
“He can play both sides and plays a very solid Defensive game. He’s put up some good numbers everywhere he’s been and should be a great fit.”
Both Boruta and Feldner will make their debuts against Dundee Stars this weekend.
There was only one other signing across the Elite League in the shape of Brayden Brown to Coventry Blaze.
Brown joins from Trinity Western University (TWU) where he’s skated for the last five seasons in a row.
Before then he iced for a variety of teams, most notably Calgary Hitmen, Calgary Canucks and Edmonton Oil Kings.
His best season to date was his first with Trinity Western where he notched up 30 points in 25 games.
In his 60 BCIHL games for TWU Brown scored 31 goals and assisted 23 others.
He was also named Rookie of the Year for the side and made the second All-Star team in his first year there.
The Calgary native also helped the team win back-to-back BCIHL Championships and scored two goals in the winning game in 2018/19.
Brown now makes the step-up from USports level to the Elite League as he joins the Blaze.
Coventry Head Coach Danny Stewart said of the signing:
“Brayden is young and hungry and provides us with depth going down the stretch. He’s a two-way forward with a good release that can eat up some minutes for us.
“It was important for us to bring in a body for the stretch as it’s a very busy finish.”
Departures
There have been two confirmed departures currently:
Austin Albrecht has left the Manchester Storm and Fife Flyers said goodbye to Colton Waltz.
Colton Waltz was announced as joining the Glasgow Clan recently.
For your say on these signings Tweet us @BritIceHockey.
