Rod Sarich will be a part of the Sheffield Steelers’ pre-season training camp and Champions Hockey League (CHL) campaign.

Sarich announced his retirement at the end of last season, but has now decided to join the Steelers’ bid to make an impact in the CHL.

Steelers’ boss Paul Thompson said: “I’m delighted Roddy will be joining us for the period. Going into the CHL it is crucial that we have the depth, especially on the back end.

“Rod and I spoke at the end of the year and he was happy with his decision to retire. He had just had his first child and his life was full of non-hockey things.

“We spoke again in the summer and he was still of the same opinion. Then out of the blue he called me – I think the thought of it all ending might have been eating away at him.

“So we agreed this initial short term deal where he will be with us throughout the CHL period.

“I want him with us and he knows that. I want his presence, his knowledge and his experience. After that who knows?

“Maybe he stays, maybe he decides retirement is for him and then we can give him the proper send off he deserves.

“Maybe there is a chance he remains in another capacity. He is Rod Sarich, the door is never closed to someone like him.”

(Image permission: Dean Woolley)