The Sheffield Steelers are locked in for 2025-26.
Aaron Fox announced his final import signing of the summer on Monday [18 August], with centre Stephen Harper inking a one-year contract at the Utilita Arena.
Harper arrives in the Elite League with five seasons of professional experience, including spells in the ECHL, American Hockey League, and four top-level European competitions.
“Stephen is a big power forward who skates well for his size and should bring us a quality 200-foot game,” Fox said of the Canadian.
“He’s played really well and put up some good numbers in some premium leagues and can play all three forward positions.
“I think Stephen will be great on draws so will start him out as a centre and already have some line combos that I think will be effective.
“Watching him play, I think he will really be hard to handle around the net and should be able to play in all situations.”
Who is Sheffield Steelers forward Stephen Harper?
Harper is a product of the Ontario Hockey League, in which he played five seasons for four teams.
His journey started with the Erie Otters, scoring 35 points (24 goals, 11 assists) in 63 appearances as a major junior rookie, before trades saw him suit up for the Belleville Bulls, Hamilton Bulldogs and Niagara IceDogs.
Harper tallied 228 points (96 goals, 132 assists) in 324 OHL appearances, before stepping up into the collegiate ranks at Acadia University.
The Hamilton native graduated from USports with 130 points (46 goals, 84 assists) in 109 games, with his form attracting the attention of the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets.
Harper signed his first professional deal with the Komets in 2020-21, registering 31 points (11 goals, 20 assists) in 43 appearances as a rookie.
He split the following season between the ECHL and AHL, recording 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in 15 third-tier appearances and six points (three goals, three assists) in 40 outings in step-two.
Stephen Harper, Sheffield Steelers (Image: Graz99ers)
Harper has plied his trade in Europe since 2022, starting with a 31-point season for Dusseldorfer EG in Germany’s DEL.
He split the 2023-24 campaign between Czechia and Slovakia, scoring three points (two goals, one assist) in four Sparta Prague appearances and 30 points (14 goals, 16 assists) in 28 games for HK Nitra.
Harper returned to the Slovak Extraliga last term, recording 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 14 games for HK Spisska Nova Ves.
He also enjoyed a brief stint with the ICE Hockey League’s Graz99ers.
Where will Stephen Harper fit in the Sheffield Steelers’ line-up?
Harper projects as a top-six centreman for the Steelers, who have built a strong spine this term.
While the Canadian is comfortable in all three forward positions (and has also filled in on defence in the past), he looks the part of an Elite League centreman.
At 6-foot-2, he boasts a built-in size advantage, which he weaponizes expertly in the face-off circle.
Harper is a net-front expert, making his presence known in and around the blue paint.
In addition to his power forward prowess, his gloves are finessed. Fox will expect him to feast in the low slot.
“This is a great fit for both me and the club,” said Harper.
“I started getting interested in the Steelers at the time of the Champions Hockey League; like many others, I was surprised at just how well Sheffield did in the company they were drawn against.
“I was skating with Mitch Balmas and from there the interest became more serious. It was good to get an insight from Mitch from the inside and the information he provided went a long way.”
Fox has built an impressive offence this offseason.
The Steelers had already made landmark additions in Cliff Pu, Ryan Tait, and Nick Seitz.
Harper only enhances Sheffield’s strength in depth.
There is no downside to this deal. Harper will thrive in Sheffield.
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