The one-time apprentices to go at it once again at the Arena.
It was in March 2016 that Cole Shudra and Liam Kirk signed up as the club’s first two apprentices, under then head coach Paul Thompson.
Young Cole, son of Steelers legend Rocket Ron, and Liam, touted as the brightest talent of his generation would skate daily with the Steelers, train as professionals in the hope their progression would lead the way for others (like Kieron Brown and Alex Graham) to follow suit.
It wasn’t just a day for the two Steelers starlets, it was also a day for the families as they joined the two young lads at the arena as they started their professional journey
Liam (16) and Cole (12) would dress and experience the Steelers in the 2016-17 season that would follow before a more full time role the following season.
Cole would make 54 appearances scoring 5 goals and 9 points whilst Liam was attracting the NHL scouts scoring 9 goals and 17 points in 52 games
As we all know, having followed his career closely, Liam would then leave and head to North America after being drafted to the NHL by Phoenix, he would go and play Major Junior with former Steelers captain Rob Wilson for the Petes in the OHL.
Liam would play two years in Peterborough, the second as an assistant captain, scoring 47 goals in 110 games for the Petes.
Cole also would leave the Steelers to explore more ice time with his journey heading to Milton Keynes to play for the Lightning
Young Shudra impressed in a difficult season for his new side, scoring 6 goals, 9 points in 52 games.
Cole returned to the Steelers for the 2020 season under Aaron Fox
Alongside his great friend Alex Graham the pair realised a dream of lifting a trophy as Steelers when the team won the 2020 Challenge Cup final down in Cardiff against the Devils.
Cole and Liam would face each other the following year, as COVID hit, Liam would return home to the Steelers whilst Cole would play for Danny Stewart in Coventry.
Cole would then head to NIHL where he would star for the Leeds Knights.
In two seasons with the Knights Cole scored 72 goals and 156 points with all-star performances
Kirky would continue his development both in North America and some of the best leagues in Europe.
Signed to the AHL by Phoenix, injury hit Liam and the best part of a year lost.
A loan move to Jukurit saw an impressive return of 7 goals and 19 points in 25 games
Next stop was Czechia and a season with HC Litvínov
19 goals and 30 points later and Litvínov were in the play offs. Kirk excelled in the post season posting 9 goals and 13 points in just 13 games
His spell at Leeds had convinced the Steelers that it was time to bring Cole home, so young Shudra returned as a full time professional and didn’t disappoint.
In 52 games Cole returned numbers of 8 goals and 20 points in the league season and a further two strikes in the play offs.
Cole emulated his old man and became a Grand Slam Steelers, just as Ron did in 1996, also becoming the first Father and Son to achieve this feat.
Both Cole and Liam have also progressed to represent the mens senior national side of Great Britain
Liam made his debut in 2021 scoring 9 points (7+2) and leading the scoring at the World Championships
Cole represented GB in the 2024 World Championships having been selected in Pete Russell’s side
In the summer of 2024 Liam signed a contract to play in the German DEL with Berlin
In his first 11 games he has registered 5 goals and 11 points and has become an instant hit with his new team and team mates.
Cole has been once again outstanding for the Steelers this season and has helped his team through the qualification stages of this years Champions Hockey League
Into the round of 16 and those two young pups meet again on Wednesday 13th November at the Utilita Arena …
Face Off 7.00pm with all tickets just £13 … “HERE”
