Sheffield Steeldogs have added netminder Brandon Stones to their roster.

Stones has spent the last three seasons in NIHL North with Sheffield Spartans and iced for the Steeldogs last season in their War of the Roses games against Manchester Phoenix.

Player/Coach Greg Wood said: “Brandon stepped up last year when he was called upon and did a fantastic job – we ended up winning both games.

“He’s a player who is really keen – all through last year he was asking if he could skate with us, looking to get any extra ice time as he was looking to improve.

“His kind of mentality is the kind I want from the guys in the locker room. He is fighting for a spot – we brought (James) Hadfield in as number one, but I see Brandon pushing him and competing for the slot – a great competitive edge between the goalies will help the club.”

Stones added: “I’m ecstatic to be joining the Steeldogs for this season. I’ve played in the league before and I really enjoyed my time.

“I dropped down into the NIHL to become a starter – to get some more ice time and game experience.

“I’m relishing the challenge of moving back up and supporting James throughout the season. I’ll be there when I’m called upon and hopefully I’ll get a few games here and there.

“I really enjoyed my time with the Steeldogs last year. It was a brilliant, yet nerve-racking experience travelling up to Deeside on the bus knowing I was the only goalie that night, so if anything went wrong it did make me a little nervous.

“But luckily everything paid off and we got the win there. It gave me a good starting point with the team.

“I wanted to get some more ice time under my belt and show some progression. I was hoping to get a move back up to the EPL and Greg has given me the opportunity to do this.

“This is the level I see myself at – this is where I want to be for the future.

“I want to get established at EPL level and I’d like to see myself as a number one goalie at some stage.”

(Image permission: Dean Reeve)