The Ultimate Honour For the Messiah and The Great One
The Steelers to Retire #9 and #16
The Sheffield Steelers today confirmed that in special recognition of their outstanding achievements to both the Steelers and Ice Hockey in general that the club would honour the two players by retiring their shirt numbers on Tuesday 21st January when the Steelers play Dundee Stars in the BNL Challenge series.
Steelers owner Norton Lea said "Both of these players were well before my time with the Steelers but I have heard nothing but amazing stories about them both, when the idea of retiring the shirt came up I had no question in confirming that this was something the club had to do"
David Simms "As well as being mighty fine hockey players Tony and Kenny are also mighty fine people who were both outstanding ambassadors to the Steelers on and off the ice. As part of the 1996 Grand Slam team they brought the club huge glory with many thousands of supporters watching their skills all over the Country"
"On Tuesday 21st January we will ensure that the Ceremony before the game with Dundee truly honours these two players, their shirts will then be retired and banners raised to the rafters of the Sheffield Arena for all time"
Tickets have been reduced for this special event, both the Shirt retirement ceremony and the game with Dundee is included for just £10.00 (adults) and £5.00 (all concessions)
four years and five years respectively - not sufficient IMO to warrant a shirt retirement.
There are other forms of recognition - name an award after one of them, testimonial game or whatever - but for these two shirts to be retired before the likes of Tommy and the Rocket... nope, I can't agree with that.
Ron 'Rocket' Shudra Should have his shirt retired. cannot think of a more fitting player. but maybe this is because ron is going to make ANOTHER return to play??? (ok maybe not)
The only thing preventing Ron's shirt from being retired is the fact that he himself hasn't retired... and you don't retire a shirt until the player ain't playing. Ah, erm, wait a minute...
The more I think about this one, the more I think it's a publicity stunt to get a big crowd... pity it's a Tuesday night.
Ron Shudra will have his shirt retired, however Ron has always said that he didnt want this done until after he had retired, and anyway there is always a chance that Ron might play again for the club (for example if it went BNL) Thats the reason, some of you lot always start off by thinking conspiricy theory
Tommy was a loyal player, he didnt leave the club when the opportunity arose, as some others have done in the past. Yes he was never one of the best players at the club but who can forget the Plommer,Millie,Cranston line?? One of the best we have ever had and most entertaining IMO!
A player does not have to have been a top scorer to have been a loyal and memorable steeler!
As far as i'm aware, Tommy didn't want a testimonial or his shirt retired, which is his own personal choice. I for one am glad to see preiestlay's shirt been retired now, i'd rather have him here for the occasion than it not been done because he's back home in canada.
