Play-Off hero says goodbye
Steelers netminder Jody Lehman has confirmed he will be leaving the Elite league champions and Play-Off winners in the summer.
By Joe Drabble
Last Updated: 07/04/09 2:51pm
Sheffield Steelers netminder Jody Lehman has confirmed he will be leaving the Elite league champions and Play-Off winners in the summer.
The Steelers stopped ensured he will leave the club in a blaze of glory after recording a priceless shut-out in his side's 2-0 Play-Off final victory over Nottingham Panthers on Sunday.
Lehman, who will make his Great Britain debut in the World Championships in Poland next week, repelled 36 shots against Panthers before becoming the first goalie to post two successive Play-Off final shut-outs.
However, after being named man of the match, Lehman confirmed that he will be one of several departures from Steelers this summer with some players set to earn lucrative contracts in Europe.
Lehman, believed to be heading to Denmark to play for Aalborg, said: "The whole organisation has been great to me and I was nearly in tears in the last two minutes.
Positive
"Everything came into play, especially the friendships. It's something that just doesn't go away. It's huge.
"We are a tight-knit group and every single guy gets along. It's been a great ride, I have been in England for seven years.
"I am not getting any younger and I have to go and give things a try. It's a great opportunity for me and it's another challenge for me."
Double-winning Steelers coach Dave Matsos added: "Guys are going to go but they are going to go for the right reasons. This is a good thing Sheffield is building and it's early days.
"But if guys are going to go to bigger, better, higher-paying leagues then that only reflects in a positive way on us. If they go, they have earned it."
