Sheffield Steeler reveals why he turned down advances elsewhere to re-sign UK News

Todd had been an eye-catching quarterback for Sheffield before a break in February.

This left coach Aaron Fox with the need to find a player who could emulate Todd’s speed and quick thinking on the ice.

Schulze said there was no direct communication with the coach about expanding his role – it was not necessary.

“It was pretty obvious that Todd was out and being an attacking defender like him I needed to step up more,” he said.

“There was no outright communication about it; I just felt I had to help the team more.”

Schulze’s success in that regard – he ended up being the club’s leading points-scorer for a full-time “D” – earned him 45 points in 67 games.

And his enjoyment of the winter months in the UK encouraged him to get involved again.

He said the factors included: “Knowing the city, knowing Foxy, there are a lot of guys coming back I think and the fans are some of the best I’ve played for.

“I liked it, it was a really good team, fun bunch of guys. Although it wasn’t exactly the results we wanted, overall it was a pretty good year.”

Asked if he could explain the poor run of results that saw the team trail behind the Belfast Giants in the title chase, he replied: “I wouldn’t say I saw it. come; at the start of the year we had some rebounds and used at the start of the year because at the end of the year it looked like we weren’t getting them. That’s hockey.

Schulze, whose parents are both of German descent, said other clubs have been interested in his services.

After his 15 games with the Steelers in the 2020-21 Elite Series, the Cardiff Devils offered him a deal, I understand.

More recently, Schulze said: “There were a few teams yes, I don’t know which ones. Maybe there was potential (in the EIHL) but I decided to stay at Sheffield.”

Last year, the 29-year-old American shared club accommodation with Justin Hodgman in the city center.

“It was good there. Most of the team lived within a minute’s walk, it was nice apartments and a good location.

It was a bit loud at times on “student nights”, but never too bad or too late, he said.

Coach Fox says he’s “really happy we found a way to keep Kevin orange.

“He’s a smooth-skating attacking defender who’s logged huge minutes for us and he’s another guy who plays with a lot of pace.

“He sees the ice extremely well, has a great stick defensively and can wrap up really well,” Fox said.

“Our Power Play finished first in the league (25.67% success rate) and he topped our best unit. It’s great to see him back.”