Nick Seitz signed a one-year contract with the Sheffield Steelers on Sunday [12 June], with the American the latest star forward to depart the Coventry Blaze.
The 25-year-old produced a stunning rookie campaign last term, finishing third in Elite League scoring with 59 points (30 goals, 29 assists) in 54 regular-season games.
“Nick was a 30-goal guy last year and his 200-foot game is really impressive,” said Steelers head coach Aaron Fox.
“His skating is a huge strength and I think he will fit in really well with a couple of our other forwards. Nick obviously has a great scoring touch, but it’s the spots [on the ice] he finds that will set him apart for us.
“Sometimes you worry about recruiting guys who play in those small barns, but Nick actually scored more goals on the road than at home and a good chunk of them were against the top teams.”
Seitz joined the Blaze following four seasons of NCAA action with Princeton University.
The New York-born forward finished his collegiate career with 49 points (17 goals, 32 assists) in 114 games played, including a 23-point campaign inn his senior year.
Analysis: Nick Seitz joins Sheffield Steelers from Coventry Blaze
Nick Seitz ticks every box for the Sheffield Steelers.
Nick Seitz, Coventry Blaze (Image: Scott Wiggins)
Proven in the Elite League, the 6-foot-1 sniper can play in any forward position and is a lock for a role in Aaron Fox’s top-six and primary powerplay.
Seitz exploded in his first season as a professional, taking another major forward step after years of incremental growth.
In his first season in the NCAA, the left-shot forward tallied two assists in 25 appearances for Princeton. He didn’t score.
Seitz tallied nine points (three goals, six assists) in 31 games as a sophomore, before signing off with 38 points (14 goals, 24 assists) in 58 games through his final two seasons of eligibility.
Suffice to say, ending his rookie season as a league-leading scorer wasn’t exactly on the cards.
But he flourished in Coventry, playing a chippy and aggressive two-way style that endeared him to Blaze fans and made him a must-get man for Fox.
“The opportunity to join the Steelers was just too good to pass up,” Seitz explained.
“When I spoke with Aaron, he made the point that the club had years of success and expected to win. I like the way the Steelers play with skill and pace — and I think I can fit into that system well.”
Seitz has the edgework and hand-speed to double-down on his dominant debut Elite League season — and projects as a top-six winger in Sheffield.
While Fox has a wealth of line combinations to choose from, a ‘Seitz — Cliff Pu — Mitchell Balmas’ first line certainly catches the eye.
Finishing last season without a trophy hurt the Steelers.
Signing Seitz greatly reduces the odds of another season of sadness in Sheffield.
It’s a home-run addition by Fox & Co.
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