“I’m back home wanting to play games grab this opportunity”
“I told my Mom and Dad, I want to be a Steeler and that’s my intention today as it was back then” said Steeldogs new number one, starting goalie Alex Oldale
“This is an incredible opportunity for me, to return to my home town, to return to the rink at ICE Sheffield where I played so much as a kid, play games for the Steeldogs and show everyone I’m good enough to one day move up to Steelers”
The excitement in the voice of Alex Oldale when he talks hockey is infectious and his desire to use this move from the Manchester Storm to the Steeldogs as a stepping stone to fulfilling his hockey dreams and making them a reality.
“I found hockey a little late and started off with Roller Hockey before heading to ICE Sheffield and the juniors
“As a family we watched and cheered the Steelers, I remember being a Mascot and meeting the likes of Brad Day and Zach Fitzgerald, they both left me with incredible memories and a desire to one day be one of them
“I knew it wouldn’t fall in my lap, opportunites have to be worked for and sacrifices made, I had no issues moving to Blackburn and then to Manchester, if that is what I had to doing to come back to play for Sheffield, the Steeldogs then that’s what I would do
“The time in Manchester has been outstanding, Ryan and the whole club there have been brilliant to me. I think I showed them what I could do, played some games and won some games. I learned off some outstanding goalies they had there, learned how the proffessionals do it”
So why now, why is the time right to come home now?
“Well firstly everyone can see that the Steeldogs mean business and the change in the organisation in recent years, to bring Sheffield lads home from where they have been and to create an environment where we can win together and develop and progress up the ladder to the Steelers
“I need to play more games, I need 40, 50, 60 games so the chance to come home to the Steeldogs and get that extra ice time was the main reason for me
“The two way contract with the Steelers means being on the ice pretty much every day so the Sheffield and the Steelers lifestyle being with them in the week was also important. Being around these experienced players and following their lead, seeing their work ethic and just learning from Aaron and the whole team
“Then taking that into the Steeldogs, working with Slava and my new team mates to bring success there. I’m excited by the Steeldogs side, we have incredible experience and some great young talent, it’s going to be a fun year, but the reality is you only really have fun if you’re winning, so let’s do that as well”
