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No shock at Simon leaving
One day there will be a summer in which everything will be just the way you planned it. Your Coach will stay put, most players will think ‘I like it here’ and sign on straight away and you won’t go hilariously close to running the club into the ground.
Not in Sheffield though.
As of almost a week ago Ben Simon decided not seek another year in the company of the Sheffield Steelers, despite being offered a new (and rumoured) healthy contract. If you were to believe the fan forums of the Steelers, the sky was falling. Fans demanded that Paul Ragan should bring him back (How? Hold him hostage?) regardless of cost.
But honestly, was anybody really shocked that he left.
Ben Simon is one of the most stand-out characters that has very graced this league, hard-working, professional and very approachable. He was also very smart. He knew how hockey worked and figured out that him remaining coach would severely hurt recruitment for next season. With the Steelers finally following the wage cap (and in the process pressuring Nottingham and other clubs to follow suit). Arguing that the Steelers following the wage cap will hurt the club are just ludicrous. What part of we have been technically cheating do fans not get? The only way this league survives is if we create a level playing field – or did we all enjoy us thrashing Edinburgh? I didn’t.
Ben Simon is far too good for this league.
Fans screaming from the rooftops that he stays have to accept the EIHL is a minor league not just in the world of Professional ice Hockey but even in Europe. In terms of ranking you would could possibly argue its the 10th tier of Pro Hockey in the world. Ben Simon came over here to get some coaching experience, to beef up a CV and then move to better pastures. In his maiden season he wins the league and has desirable numbers to go along with it (the Steelers defensive stats will make any club think he’s worth something). What more could of he achieved next season? Fans will argue the Playoffs but in their current format they are just not the attraction they are to players to stick around.
Ben found the League to be frustrating and at times very unprofessional. He’s a simply a player who asks more from this sport than this level could ever give him. He can find that back at home in North-America where he has friends and family.
In Ryan Finnerty Sheffield have taken another coaching gamble, but the logic is all there. He knows the League, he knows Sheffield and its fans (who still sing his name fondly) and crucially his style is very similar to Simon’s. He may not tactically get it spot on but each player will empty their tanks for him every night. Guys like Hewitt and Tait work well in this system and it’s no surprise to see them re-sign for next year.
One more thing. Steelers have announced that they have already sold 800 season tickets. This is in-spite of a price hike. Now I know people are saying we are going to lose walk-ups etc. But simply cant have it both ways. You cant have high quality hockey, tv/video replays, great match night entertainment at low low prices. Bob Phillips tried that and it got him nowhere, What you have to do as a business is be worth the price you charge. The Panthers get a crazy amount of walk-ups for their games because their match night package is outstanding. Its only right that the Steelers should seek to emulate this, and it will mean costs will rise. Arguments that fans are not being listened to are just daft. The club needs to make money. If everybody demanded that Sainsbury’s charged 20p for a loaf of bread would they do it? No, they would lose money hand over fist, and whilst you would have some cheap bread for a bit, the company would eventually fold. If you want the best then you have to pay for it. That’s just good business.
Next week will be my end of season (joke) awards,
But as always leave any feedback and stay safe.
Dows
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-3 |
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
4-5 |
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
1-4 |
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
4-4 |
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| 11th March 2006 19:00 | ||
2-4 |
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| 11th March 2006 19:00 | ||
| Club | GP | W | L | OL | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|
5-8 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
4-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-2 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
3-7 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
1-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
| Club | GP | W | L | OL | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|
- Adam Walker
- Alex Birch
- Andy Pierce
- Chris Gent
- Christopher Beal
- Craig Simpson
- Dave Simms
- Elliott Stanley
- Gareth Chalmers
- James Broughton
- James Gordon
- Katy Madgwick
- Luke Catterson
- Mark Briggs
- Mark Duell
- Mat Young
- Patrick Smyth
- Promotion
- Russ Morrell
- Seanna Murdock
- Stephen Dowson
- Stewart Roberts
- Tom Forster
- Vicki Smart
- William Lyon
