Quick return for Sheffield Steelers '˜rink rat'

Jason Hewitt has retired from his career as a trouble-stirring rink rat - but will have a new role as a friendly '˜ambassador' for Sheffield Steelers.
Jason Hewitt, a huge part of the club's historyJason Hewitt, a huge part of the club's history
Jason Hewitt, a huge part of the club's history

The 32-year-old has hung up his skates after a decade at the championship-winning club, but coach Paul Thompson says there will always be a role for him.

“We want to keep our ex-players who have done so much to build our club and get it back to where it is now.

Jason Hewitt, a huge part of the club's historyJason Hewitt, a huge part of the club's history
Jason Hewitt, a huge part of the club's history

“Keeping Hewy around, he can pass on the baton to the new players.”

Thompson said Hewitt and Jeff Legue, who is also retiring, has brought honour to the club and he had been proud to work with them.”

Thompson says he may bring in more size and grit to handle battle situations better next year.

Losing to Coventry Blaze so often, particularly at their smaller rink, suggested that his side needed more physicality in the 2016-17 line-up.

Jason Hewitt, a huge part of the club's historyJason Hewitt, a huge part of the club's history
Jason Hewitt, a huge part of the club's history

In the Play-offs, he conceded they had been fatigued and beaten by a better team.

“We have been in a dog-fight last six or seven weeks,” he said,

But the Elite League championship returned to Sheffield for a second consecutive year.

“We won the big one,” Thompson added.

RESULT

Monday 28th March

Elite League Play-Offs Quarter Final 2nd Leg

Belfast Giants 1 Nottingham Panthers 3

(Nottingham Panthers win 7-4 on aggregate)

FIXTURES

Saturday 2nd April

Elite League Play-Offs Semi-Finals

(@ NIC Nottingham)

Cardiff Devils v Coventry Blaze – 1.00pm

Nottingham Panthers v Fife Flyers – 5.00pm

Sunday 3rd April

3rd/4th Place Game – 12.00pm

Grand Final – 4.00pm