Introduction
Matt Greenfield has re-signed with the Sheffield Steelers for a third season after a successful 2023/2024 campaign which saw the American backstop a grand slam. Greenfield, who is still only 29 years old, will be looking to add to his accolades in Sheffield as the two time EIHL Netminder Of The Year adds much needed stability at the back for Aaron Fox and the Steelers. Greenfield is a good locker room guy who is loved by fans and teammates for his pre match rituals and impressive saves. During the 2022/2023 season, Greenfield was brought in to play a 1b role behind Swedish netminder Oskar Ostlund. However, things changed for the better as Aaron Fox ended up having to rely on Greenfield for all but two of the Steelers 70 games that season.
2023/2024 - A season to remember
During the 2023/2024 season, Matt Greenfield became a grand slam champion and won multiple personal awards too. After being crowned Challenge Cup champions in March, the awards didn’t stop flooding in as Greenfield went on to win EIHL Netminder of the year and EIHL Most Valuable Player. Greenfield also recorded 8 shutouts during the 54 game league season making it the most of any other netminder across the league. The American shot stopper played behind a formidable defence throughout the season with the likes of Kevin Tansey and Niklas Nevalainen helping to boost Greenfield’s stats. Across 47 league games, Greenfield registered a .930% save percentage and conceded just 1.93 goals against on average. These stats are very impressive and were the best in the Elite League last season. During the Challenge Cup, Greenfields stats were also unbeatable as he and Tony Morrone led the Steelers to a perfect cup record. In 4 games, Greenfield conceded just 0.51 goals against on average and held a save percentage of. .982%.
Continuing the legacy
Matt Greenfield will be coming home to a familiar defence as key defenseman Kevin Tansey, Dominic Cormier, Brien Diffley and Colton Saucerman will also return to Yorkshire for successive seasons. This will be crucial for Aaron Fox as he looks to retain as much of his grand slam team as possible. Greenfield is well on course to become one of it not the greatest Steelers netminder of all time. With the American not being far off Ervins Mustukovs’ shutout record, Greenfield will be hoping to perform just as well as in previous seasons, and with added European games it will no doubt be a test the netminder is willing to take.
Conclusion
Overall, the Steelers and Aaron Fox will be looking to rely on Matt Greenfield heavily throughout the season with the record breaking shot stopper being one of the most crucial re-signings the Steelers will make this off season. Fox himself has endorsed this with him claiming that Greenfield was, “the best netminder in the league last season.” The heavy fixture congestion next season will be at the front of Aaron Fox’s mind as he looks to add an import partner for Matt Greenfield to play alongside. With Anthony Morrone confirmed as leaving the Steelers, Fox will no doubt turn to Greenfield to help recruit his partner for the 2024/2025 season.
Author of Article: Will Harris
Editor: Will Harris & Calan Yule
Proofread By: Calan Yule
© EIHL News Central
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