The Sheffield Steelers will start the 2022-23 Elite League season with new signing Mason Mitchell on the injury reserve list, the South Yorkshire club has announced.
“Mason called about a week ago told us he suffered a lower-body injury while training on the ice,” head coach Aaron Fox explained. “He went to get an MRI and, after seeing the results, the doctors agree it’s likely a six- to eight-week injury before being able to take any contact.”
“He will start the season on IR and rehab at home until he is closer to being able to train with the team; then he will fly over.”
Related: Sheffield Steelers 2022-23 Roster: Signings, Quotes & More
Mitchell’s injury is a significant blow to the Steelers, who enter the new campaign hoping to return to the Elite League’s summit. The 28-year-old registered 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists) in 46 ECHL appearances last season and was expected to play a physical, middle-six role in Sheffield.
However, the Steelers have ventured back into free agency, signing 32-year-old forward Tomáš Pitule to a two-month contract.
“Starting [with a] full [squad] is very important, so we have signed Tomáš Pitule to a two-month deal with a team option to stay the whole year,” said Fox. “He’s a big, two-way forward who skates extremely well and plays a very responsible game.”
Aaron Fox: ‘Tomáš Pitule is very excited to be here competing’
Pitule is on the cusp of his 14th season as a professional and boasts a resume spanning the Czech Extraliga, Slovak Extraliga, France’s Ligue Magnus, and the Belarusian Extraleague.
He made 21 appearances in Czechia2 last season, scoring 11 points (three goals, eight assists) while on loan from Extraliga outfit Rytíři Kladno.
“Tomáš averaged a point per game in Czechia2 in 2020-21, proving he can produce offensively as well. He played half the year in Czech Extraliga last year in a checking line role, making him a guy we can count on in those situations too.
“I believe he’s a natural centre who can play wing as well and is very excited to be here competing for a full-year contract”.
The Steelers return to the ice on Saturday [27 August] for their first exhibition match of preseason, travelling to the Motorpoint Arena for a 19:00 start against the Nottingham Panthers.
