Body blow for Sheffield Steelers star Colton

Sheffield Steelers are heading into the New Year with a worrying catalogue of injuries.
Colton Fretter - Sheffield Steelers injury victimColton Fretter - Sheffield Steelers injury victim
Colton Fretter - Sheffield Steelers injury victim

Chief amongst the concerns, is import forward Colton Fretter, who missed 11 matches in October and November after undergoing surgery for a pelvic area problem.

Fretter missed the latter part of the December 27 defeat at Nottingham Panthers and The Star understands he is suffering similar symptoms.

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Doctors initially said the operation would make the area more resistant to future injuries, so his present ailment must be both confusing and distressing for the player.

Mathieu Roy missed the Panthers’ loss at the NIC and is thought to have been one of five players unavailable for training on Tuesday.

Coach Paul Thompson has the option of playing assistant coach Darrell Hay at Manchester Storm and throwing Rod Sarich up front again, on the wing.

Meanwhile, there will be no further sanction on Nottingham’s Juraj Kolnik and Miika Wiikman following a review of their conduct in the 5-3 win over Steelers.

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The Elite League Department of Player Safety said forward Kolnik was correctly awarded a 2+10 ‘Checking to the Head’ penalty - but that was all the punishment that was required.

Sheffield requested supplementary discipline on Panthers netminder Wiikman in the same game.

“We have reviewed the incident and decided no action will be taken” said DOPs.

The remaining penalties and incidents under review will be announced on Wednesday.

Steelers are at Manchester on Friday (3pm.) Storm beat Fife Flyers 5-1 last Sunday.