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Sheffield Steelers fans are overjoyed that Robert Dowd is announced as replacement for Jonathan Phillips.
The Sheffield Steelers are national legends in the world of ice hockey, they have won countless challenge cups and won the league many times, they have also recently celebrated 30 years since their formation in 1991. There is no doubt that the Steelers are an amazing team who look to dominate every opponent in ice hockey especially their main rivals the Nottingham Panthers.
They have been under the influence of Jonathan Phillips, their captain of 16 years. However to many Steelers fans it came as a shock when he announced his retirement from the sport at 41 years old. Phillips has led the Steelers through thick and thin and has left an everlasting legacy as the captain of the Club.
Despite this, fresh blood has been drawn. Nicknamed the ‘Golden Child’, number 75 Robert Dowd has been announced to be the new captain for the 23/24 season and he is looking to overcome all odds and follow in the footsteps of other great Steelers captains. Robert Dowd has played for the Steelers for 16 years and has subsequently only known Phillips as his captain. Dowd has become a legendary player and has quickly become the fans favorite player.
Archie Spiby is a former Academy hockey player and has followed the sport for many years he believes that “ Dowdy already has a great legacy for the club, him and Cole Shudra are the only two that remain from the 2017 playoff final and moving into the captains role will be tough”.
Robert Dowd in comparison to Phillips deserves to be captain. Firstly he has scored 164 goals and assisted 158 plays which have led to a goal compared to Phillips who has scored 68 goals and had 85 assists, proving that Dowd is a more than suitable candidate for the role. The rise to becoming the Steelers captain is a hard challenge but being the player he is Robert will rise to the challenge, Archie Spiby says “He will feel the pressure. A captain can make or break a team as they all look up to him for advice”.
Credit.. Yorkshire Post
Despite the challenges, Dowd looks forward to taking a fresh team forward and is looking towards making the best team possible and with being top 3 of the Elite League already there are high hopes to where the Steelers may finish.
Robert Dowd has 357 games for the Steelers and the only person to have more was Jonathan Phillips who makes his debut for the Steel Dogs. Aaron Fox, the Steelers head coach believes that he can lead the Steelers to many victories and even become more successful than Phillips, he is honoured to wear the C upon his jersey.
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