This week Sheffield Steelers announced that young Brit Cole Shudra had signed an extension to his apprentice contract, but would spend the 2018-19 season out on loan to fellow Milton Keynes Lightning. Is this a good move, let's have a little discussion about it.
In my eyes, and most others too, this is an excellent move for Cole. If he had not chosen to make the move to Buckinghamshire for the new season then he would have been more than likely been the 13th forward on the Steelers roster when all the spots have been filled up. This would mean his ice time would be very neglibible to say the least. He would have been lucky to ice in double figure games for the Steelers unless there is a massive injury crisis.
Someone said on social media that this was a "strange decision". To be honest I couldn't see where he thought that, it is the best decision especially when you take the above into account and what else I am about to state.
Cole will get regular ice-time during his spell with the Lightning, and I fully expect him to come back to the Steelers a much better player and more effective afterwards. Players sometimes need a change of scenery to improve on their game, and usually reap the benefits from it. You have to look no further than two other Brits on the 2017-18 Steelers roster who moved away to enhance and improve their game; for the untrained eyes those players are GB internationalists Robert Dowd; who had spells at Belfast and Troja-Ljungby; and Ben O'Connor who has recently agreed a deal to play in the KHL with Barys Astana.
Steelers and their supporters haven't seen the last of Cole, and I am sure he took the advice from his illustrious father before agreeing on this move. He is sure to get a warm welcome back into the Steel City when he ices against the Steelers with his new club. Lightning fans will be excited to see him play, he's certainly got the tools and ability to impress them and his new head coach Doug McKay. I'm confident this move will be a smart one for all parties.
Good luck in Milton Keynes Cole; you'll be a hit for them!
@hockeybhoy
@hockeyblogger71
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