Patrick Guay
Forward • Västerås IK (HockeyAllsvenskan)
Joins Belfast alongside brother Nicolas after recording 21 points in 45 games in Sweden's second tier. He brings pace, creativity and should strengthen an already dangerous forward group.
2026/27 Season Preview
Sheffield Steelers
DT Rating
Predicted Finish
Quick Facts
Head Coach
Aaron Fox
Captain
Robert Dowd
Arena
Utilita Arena Sheffield
2025/26 Finish
4th
Power Play
24.59%
Penalty Kill
86.24%
DT Ratings
Our editorial assessment of each team's fantasy potential heading into the new EIHL season.
Attack
★★★★★
4.5Defence
★★★★★
4.0Goaltending
★★★★★
4.5Depth
★★★★★
4.0DT Value
★★★★★
4.5Club Overview
Belfast head into the 2026/27 Elite League season as defending league champions after another outstanding campaign under Adam Keefe. Continuity has become one of the Giants' greatest strengths in recent years and, once again, the majority of the title-winning core returns for another campaign.
Nicolas Guay is back after a sensational debut season in Belfast, collecting the Coaches' Player of the Year award after recording 64 points. On the blue line, reigning EIHL Defenceman of the Year Mike Lee returns after establishing himself as one of the league's elite two-way defencemen and will once again be expected to play a leading role.
Belfast's forward group remains one of the deepest in the Elite League. Jordan Kawaguchi, Jake Gaudet, Scott Conway, David Goodwin and J.J. Piccinich all return, while Ciaran Long is joined by former Sheffield Steeler Cole Shudra to strengthen the club's British contingent.
Between the pipes, Jackson Whistle, Jake Kupsky and Andrew Dickson provide Belfast with arguably the strongest goaltending group in the league. That stability, combined with an experienced defensive core, gives the Giants another excellent platform heading into the new season.
Rather than standing still, Belfast have strengthened again over the summer. Patrick Guay joins his brother after arriving from Sweden, while Peter Bates, Logan Cockerill and Kaleb Pearson bring further quality and competition to an already talented forward group.
On the blue line, Jaeden Martin, Christian Berger and Ty Prefontaine provide additional depth and reinforce a defensive unit that should once again rank among the Elite League's strongest.
There have been notable departures, with Karl Boudrias joining Guildford, while Bo Hanson, Gabe Bast and long-serving forward Ben Lake have all brought their playing careers to a close.
Even so, Belfast appear to have recruited well enough to offset those losses and begin the new campaign with another roster capable of challenging for silverware on multiple fronts. With experience, continuity and impressive depth throughout the lineup, the Giants once again look set to be among the teams to beat.
Summer Arrivals
Jaeden Martin
Defence • Odense Bulldogs / Frederikshavn White Hawks
An experienced two-way defenceman who produced consistently across four seasons in Denmark. Martin should add stability while also contributing offensively from the blue line.
Christian Berger
Defence • Indy Fuel (ECHL)
The former Penn State captain arrives with an excellent reputation as a mobile defenceman capable of playing in all situations.
Peter Bates
Forward • Wichita Thunder (ECHL)
Bates arrives after producing 236 points across 269 ECHL appearances and has the pedigree to become an important contributor in Belfast's top six.
Logan Cockerill
Forward • Jacksonville Icemen (ECHL)
A former Boston University captain, Cockerill combines speed with offensive instincts and could quickly become one of Belfast's most exciting new additions.
Kaleb Pearson
Forward • Idaho Steelheads (ECHL)
Pearson provides further forward depth and increases the competition for places throughout Belfast's lineup.
Ty Prefontaine
Defence • Allen Americans (ECHL)
Prefontaine strengthens the defensive unit and gives Adam Keefe another reliable option on the blue line.
Summer Departures
Karl Boudrias
Defence • Guildford Flames
Boudrias was a dependable presence throughout Belfast's championship-winning campaign. His departure removes experience from the blue line, although the Giants appear to have recruited well enough to soften that loss.
Bo Hanson
Defence • Retired
Hanson brings his playing career to a close after helping Belfast secure another Elite League title, ending a successful spell with the Giants.
Gabe Bast
Defence • Retired
A respected figure in the dressing room, Bast's retirement leaves behind valuable experience and leadership that Belfast will look to replace internally.
Ben Lake
Forward • Retired
One of the club's longest-serving players, Lake's retirement marks the end of an excellent career in Belfast where his work ethic, versatility and leadership made him a fan favourite.
Projected Line-up
Sheffield have the potential to have one of the deepest rosters in the Elite League, with Fox to have constant competition through his lineup. Chemistry was seemingly hardly to come by last season. So this pre-season, is crucial for the Orange Army to get gelled quickly. This would be our 'ideal' projected lines which reflects how deep the Steelers could be.
First Line: Olivier Archambault, TBC and Mitchell Balmas
Second Line: Mikko Juusola, TBC and Leevi Teissala
Third Line: Evan Jasper, Sean Collins and Ryan Tait
Fourth Line: Robert Dowd, Brandon Whistle and Ivan Bjorkly-Nordstrom
First Pairing: Dominic Cormier & Macoy Erkamps
Second Pairing: Logan Roe & Brien Diffley
Third Pairing: Aatu Aarnio & Liam Steele
Netminders: Matt Greenfield, Lucas Brine and Curtis Warburton
Players To Watch
DT Star
Mitchell Balmas
The reigning Dream Team MVP remains one of the Elite League's most explosive forwards and should once again be among the first names selected by fantasy managers.
Sleeper Pick
Olivier Archambault
If Archambault gets off to a hot start, look for Dream Team coaches to get him moved into their teams pretty sharpish.
Breakout Candidate
Ryan Tait
Tait has the opportunity to establish himself as an important contributor in Sheffield's forward group, his pace is a huge asset.
Top Defenceman
Dominic Cormier
One of the league's premier offensive defencemen, Cormier should once again quarterback the powerplay and rank among the EIHL's highest-scoring blueliners.
Starting Netminder
Matt Greenfield
Widely regarded as one of the Elite League's elite goaltenders, Greenfield's consistency gives Sheffield a chance to win every night.
Fantasy Outlook
DT Verdict
Sheffield once again look equipped to challenge for every major honour. Chemistry will be the key for the Steelers if they are to succeed.
Season Prediction
Season Prediction
1st–2nd
Best Case
Winning the Elite League title and reach final for every trophy.
Worst Case
Anything before a 3rd place finish before falling short in the finals.
Confidence
High
Sheffield enter the new campaign with one of the league's deepest and most balanced rosters. Continuity, proven leadership and another summer of exciting recruitment make Sheffield once again genuine favourites to challenge for silverware.
Editors Note
This preview reflects confirmed signings and departures at the time of publication. Projected line combinations will be updated during pre-season as Sheffield's roster and deployment become clearer.