teelers are delighted to welcome home Marco Vallerand for a 4th season with the club
Vallerand has already played 127 games for the Steelers scoring 68 goals and a further 78 assists and was instrumental in the clubs last trophy win the Challenge Cup
Announcing the news head coach Aaron Fox said “I’m really excited to have Valley back for a full season. I expect him to come in to camp healthy, in good shape and with a bit of a chip on his shoulder
“He’s a guy that I am 100% confident about being an impact player for us as we have seen in the past. He led our team in shots per game and in expected goals for, so I know he will have a bounce back season with his shooting% getting back to his normal numbers.
“The one thing I will say on Valley is he isn’t a one way hockey player. He’s very good on the track and is responsible in his own zone. He doesn’t cheat the game looking for his offence and that is what we will need throughout our lineup next year”
Vallerand, 34, hails from Longueuil in Quebec.
British fans first saw Marco back in 2017 when he scored 65 points in 48 games with the Coventry Blaze, the following season he moved to Austria but returned two these shores for the 2019-20 season with the Steelers scoring 51 points in just 40 games
Post Covid Valley returned in 2021-22, this time scoring 59 points in 45 games. A move back to Europe beckoned and a season with his old club in Ljubana, however this was an injury hit season and Marco returned to Sheffield at the turn of the year, playing just 19 games in Orange (6+6 – 12)
Vallerand said “I’m delighted to be back, as many people know Sheffield is my second home and I love playing there in front of the incredible fans
“I’m delighted to be back, as many people know Sheffield is my second home and the Steelers organisation feels like a family now. I love playing there in front of the incredible fans
“I did take my time making my decision to return because last season as a rollercoaster ride personally. I wanted to take a break and re-set, refresh the body and mind
“There’s no doubt I’ve made the right decision to return, we have unfinished business and we all need to win again, Steelers management, coaching staff and fans are too good and too much dedicated not to win silverware.
It’s been too long already we’re gonna come with the right mindset to be champions again.
“I’m back in the gym and working hard to ensure i’m in the best shape come the start of the year, it’s going really well so far and i’m excited and ready and can’t wait to see everyone again” 🍊.
