Phillips keen to continue proving himself with Steelers

SHEFFIELD STEELERS’ captain Jonathan Phillips said he took nothing for granted about being asked back for a 15th season with the Elite League outfit.

The 37-year-old veteran forward has been captain for all but one of his previous 14 campaigns in South Yorkshire, last season helping the club end a 17-year wait for the Challenge Cup when they beat Cardiff Devils 4-3 at the Viola Arena.

Phillips joins fellow British players Rob Dowd and Davey Phillips on the roster for 2020-21 – the duo being halfway through two-year deals – with import defenceman James Bettauer already inked in for a second season in the UK.

Phillips first joined the Steelers in the summer of 2006, following former Cardiff Devils team-mate Dave Matsos, who had been given his first head coach role by the club.

He has since gone on to make a record-breaking 889 appearances for the club, winning EIHL regular season championships, three playoff trophies and, most recently, that previously elusive Challenge Cup.

“I never took anything for granted about next season,” said Phillips last night. “You’ve always got to prove yourself and I think the second you think you don’thave to do that is the time that you should wrap up.

“I don’t think about age, I don’t feel as if my body is slowing down but I know the day I’m done is the day when I wake up in the summer and can’t be bothered to work out and start getting ready for the season.

“The second that drive and motivation goes, I know I’m done – but I honestly don’t see that going anytime soon.”

EIHL bosses declared last month that the 2020-21 regular season would launch a month later than normal at the start of October although, as with everything affected by the coronavirus pandemic, that is a date that could easily shift.

Either way, Phillips will spend the off-season priming himself to be ready for whenever the Steelers’ training camp starts, even if it is later than last year’s start date of August 12. There is never, he insists any lack of motivation.

“The off-season is where all the foundations are set for the season,” added Phillips. “It is probably the most important part of the year for us as players.

“Once the season starts, it’s mainly maintenance and topping up – being on the ice playing is where all the fun is.

“In the summer all you can do is get your body ready and motivate your way through that.

“I just keep pushing myself to be better than the previous year and keep improving.”

Head coach Aaron Fox said he was delighted Phillips would be part of his line-up going forward.

“He’s the captain for a reason,” said Fox. “He puts the time in, he puts the work in – the passion is always there.

“He gives 120 per cent every shift and he brings a hard, fast, heavy game for us every time he’s out on the ice.”