As reported by @UKHockeyRumours on X (formerly twitter) on Sunday, The Sheffield Steelers have been linked to Canadian forward Daniel Leavens. As the Sheffield side aim to defend their Grand Slam, Aaron Fox will be looking to improve on his already impressive squad. With the likes of Brett Neumann confirmed as moving on from the treble champions, a scoring presence will be needed if the Steelers are to win big again.
During the 2023/2024 season, Leavens played in Hungary for Fehervar AV19 where the side came second in the ICEHL. Leavens contributed 35 points to his team's title push in 42 games. Scoring 11 goals and 24 assists, the 6’2” winger massively helped his side reach 95 points in the league. In the past, the 30 year old has played on the HC Innsbruck team of 2021-2022 which is a team all Steelers fans will admit have homed some of the great Steelers of the past. During that season, Leavens scored 41 points in 47 games putting him inside the top 3 producers on the roster. Over his career, Leavens has played 192 games in the East Coast Hockey League where he scored 161 points. During his time in the ECHL, Leavens played alongside Kevin Schulze of the Wheeling Nailers. Schulze later went on to play 3 seasons for Aaron Fox in Yorkshire being a key part of the squad. Over his career, Leavens has proved he can score well and he has done so across most of the leagues he has played in. In particular, he scored 30 points in 24 games during his time in the Norwegian league which is of a very high standard.
If the Steelers have signed the top 6 forward for the 2024/2025 season, Aaron Fox will be able to get the best of Leavens’ ability. Leavens plays a skilful game where he can also turn on the physical aspect of his game especially on the power play. Having been used as a screen on the power play in the ECHL, Leavens could play a similar role we saw Josh Nicholls play in the Play Off Finals Weekend. Using his size to disrupt in front of the net, Leavens would suit a Steelers power play which could see the likes of Patrick Watling, Dominic Cormier and Robert Dowd if they are to have re-signed for the 2024/2025 season. Leavens can also play a very skilled game, with his soft and silky handling.
Wrote by Will Harris
Proofread by Calan Yule
Edited by Will Harris
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EIHL News Central is a news page on social media which follows the EIHL closely and updates the fans on any news circulating the league.
Rumour is from UK Hockey Rumours on X (formally Twitter)
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