The Sheffield Steeldogs are delighted to announce the re-signing of forward Nathan Ripley for the 2026/27 NIHL National season.
Nathan will enter his fifth season in Steeldogs colours, continuing his long-standing association with the club and adding another familiar face to the roster for the upcoming campaign.
A hardworking and committed member of the squad, Ripley has always given his all whenever he pulls on the jersey and remains an important part of the Steeldogs group.
His return adds further continuity to a roster that is continuing to take shape ahead of the new season.
Everyone at the Sheffield Steeldogs would like to welcome Nathan back to the club and we look forward to seeing him back on the ice in 2026/27.
Steeldogs General Manager Jamie McIlroy said:
“Rips is the type of player that every team wants on their side but absolutely hates playing against. He plays the game hard, he’s never afraid to mix it up when the situation calls for it, and he brings an edge and competitiveness that makes him a difficult player to play against every single night.
Over the last couple of seasons, we’ve seen him make the transition from being one of the younger players in the dressing room to becoming an experienced and battle-hardened member of the group, despite still only being 24 years old. He’s played a lot of hockey, been through some big games, and those experiences have helped shape him into the player he is today.
Slava and I know exactly what Rips is capable of and we’ve seen the levels of performance he can produce when he’s at his best. He’s going to play a big role for us this season, and we expect him to take another step forward in his development. We want him to be one of the players that we can rely on in key moments and establish himself as one of our go-to guys when the team needs him most. He’s a player who embodies the character and mentality we’re looking for throughout our lineup, and we’re delighted to have him back in orange for another season.”
