Details of a new development to the West of the South Wales region, which will include a state-of-the-art Arena, are soon to be available. Early indications are that the facility will be ready for Superleague Ice Hockey for the start of the 2003/04 season and is likely to produce a capacity of 5,000-6,000 seats.

The club told the BBC they could not put out the whole game against London Knights and could broadcast short bulletins. "We have never allowed Radio Sheffield to broadcast live in midweek, only for big games," said Steelers general manager Dave Simms. Radio Sheffield programme editor Emma Gilliam said: "We believe we reached an agreement in the summer that would allow us to provide any coverage of any game. We will be contacting the ISL today to seek clarification of our position."

Mr Gutteridge, claims the statement was a personal attack, and Mr Storey moved to clarify certain issues. Mr Gutteridge said: *Despite the ISL statement that the Eye Group was the owner of the Jesters, it is European Sports Holdings, a subsidiary of Fablon, which owns Newcastle. Mr Storey insists it is the Eye Group, which the Jesters chief claims has only taken licence to manage and exploit the club�s commercial rights. *Mr Gutteridge was never required to attend Tuesday�s meeting.

Mr Storey said: *Despite claims to the contrary, he knows of no clause in the contract for the NTL coverage of the ISL that requires the league to have eight clubs, as has been claimed. Therefore, there is less incentive than previously believed for the league to keep the Jesters going. *An extraordinary general meeting of the ISL board on October 24 will further review the Jesters situation, should the team have failed to ice by then.

Metcalfe has played the last three seasons overseas. He spent the 1998-99 and 1999-00 seasons with the Hannover Scorpions of the German Elite League. Last season, he played for the British Superleague champion Sheffield Steelers, which compiled a regular season record of 35-9-4.

Referring to the club's pillar-to-post ownership changes since the end of the Durham Wasps era, he said: "Too often this club has fallen foul of short term, quick fix solutions. "We are fully aware of our responsibilities towards the players, but we want to do things correctly for the good of the Jesters, after all, there are only two options available regarding the future of this club�either it stays under the guidance of the of the current regime or the franchise will revert to the ISL."

Thunder expect the pair to transform the team's prospects and make their mark on the British National League. Trumbley and Roberts will be teaming up again with Thunder player coach Mike Bishop, who played alongside the duo in the Superleague. Bishop said: "Steve and Rob were both waiting to see if jobs were available in Newcastle, but we've been able to snatch them up. However, Stories coming from Newcastle say that Roberts and Trumbley have joined Hull on loan for this weekend and that they will play for the Jesters, once their season is under way.

The 27-year-old Boh already has played for 15 pro teams in six different leagues after spending time with four different squads in his three years as a junior in the Western Hockey League. He split time in Finland, Britain, and the Central Hockey League last year, finishing with combined totals of four goals, seven assists, and 81 penalty minutes in only 41 games. Boh was awarded second team all-ECHL honors in 1996 after scoring a career-high 22 goals in 54 games with Columbus and Louisiana. Upon returning to Bayou country in 1997, he led the IceGators to the ECHL Finals with 21 points (4g-17a) in 17 games.

The Players to join are:
(F) Peter Leboutillier
(NM) Ryan Bach
(D) Jeff Brown
(C) Kevin Miehm

Sunday 23rd September 2001 - Newcastle Jesters v Manchester Storm
Thursday 20th September 2001 - Newcastle Jesters v Bracknell Bees.

"The reason we are here is that I am going to take a break from hockey for a while and just get my body back in the shape I want it to be in, to be able to play at the level I want to play," Forsberg said. "I feel I'm not ready to go out and do the things I want to do on the ice and I don't think it's fair to anyone in my organization to go out and play if I can't play at the level I want to play at.

ELORANTA JOINS VIRTA
Former London Knight Jussi Eloranta has joined Jaa Kookat Uusikaupunki of Finland, Home to Ex-Panthers Pekka Virta.

STEELERS SIGN KRUSE
Sheffield Steelers today announced the signing of NHL star Paul Kruse. The 31 year-old left winger joins the Steelers after a glittering NHL career which spanned 451 League and Stanley Cup Play Off Games, in which time he scored 43 goals, 35 assists and amassed 1,110 penalty minutes.

Steelers' coach Mike Blaisdell said. "I think this signing shows that we mean business. We may have started behind the eight ball but Paul Kruse will assist us in getting back to where we belong."

RUSSELL SIGNS FOR JESTERS
NETMINDER Bill Russell is back on Tyneside as part of Glenn Mulvenna�s Newcastle Jesters squad rebuild. The youngster who provided back-up for Tommi Satosaari at the end of last season, following Jimmy Hibbert�s injury nightmare, is one of three squad members already on Tyneside. He has been joined by another former Newcastle player, Mikko Koivunoro and fellow Finn Roland Carlsson.

Mulvenna�s other six signings, who will likely include Rob Trumbley, first choice netminder Derek Wilkinson, Troy Neumeier and possibly Eric Lavigne, are expected to be officially unveiled soon.

Nottingham Panthers v Sheffield Steelers has been postponed and rearranged for Wednesday October 3rd.

This game has been replaced by Nottingham Panthers v Ayr Scottish Eagles, face-off 7.00pm. This game has been moved from October 20th. The Panthers will now face the London Knights on October 20th instead of Ayr, This game against London has been brought forward by a day.

Two Kings scouts aboard downed flight
Garnet "Ace" Bailey, director of pro scouting for the Los Angeles Kings, was one of 65 passengers aboard one of the flights that crashed into the World Trade Center on Tuesday.

Team spokesman Mike Altieri said Mark Bavis, an amateur scout for the Kings, also was aboard United Airlines Flight 175 - the second plane to hit the skyscrapers in New York. The Boeing 767 was scheduled to fly from Boston to Los Angeles, where the Kings open training camp Wednesday. "We've received confirmation from both of their families that they were on Flight 175," Altieri said.

STEELERS SIGN TWO MORE
The Sheffield Steelers have today announced two new signings, The new signings are defenseman Cal Benazic and right winger Chris Lipsett.

Benazic is a 6'3 195lb defenseman who played his junior hockey in the Western Hockey League, he has European hockey experience in the German 1st Division but joins the Steelers after splitting last year between time in the East Coast League with Augusta and the IHL with Manitoba.

Chris Lipsett has also signed a one year contract after completing a successful two year stint in Kentucky (AHL) where he had back to back 20+ goal seasons (21+34=55 in 99/00 and 25+23=48 in 00/01). The 6'1 right winger is seen as a perfect line mate for Steelers player assistant coach Rick Brebant.

ALL STAR GAME
This season, the Ice Hockey Superleague has introduced an exciting new twist to its annual All Star Challenge. The very best of the Superleague will take on Continental opposition in the form of the Amsterdam Tijgers and their special guests on Friday 14th December 2001 at the National Ice Centre, Nottingham, in what promises to be a fabulous festive evening of family entertainment.

Due to security measures in this country, and especially in the Capital, it is not yet known if the Panthers will make the journey to London on Thursday, however, moves are being made for the Panthers to play the Knights, in place of the Steelers, in Nottingham on Saturday.

Panthers will be working with the NIC staff in the morning to determine how the ticket changes will be made. Full details will be announced here as soon as possible.

The 6'1" defenceman, a 3rd round draft pick for the NHL's New Jersey Devils, played his junior hockey in Oshawa before turning pro. In a 9 year North American career Laniel played 518 games before leaving for the lure of Germany.

The Nottingham Panthers chief received 52 per cent of votes on a month-long poll on the This Is The North-East website, which asked who the supporters would like to see replace Paul Smith. Ironically, the result comes a day after Smith�s resignation, for which he blamed other work commitments. Second favourite, with 18 per cent of the vote was Darlington Football Club�s multi-millionaire chairman, George Reynolds.

MAUDIE JOINS STEELERS
New York Rangers draft pick Bob Maudie has become the latest Mike Blaisdell signing for season 2001-2002. The 6' centre has signed an initial one year contract with the club and is due to fly in to Sheffield on Wednesday.

Maudie played 25 games last season in Bracknell racking up 4+8 for 12 points, prior to that he had experience in Austria for League Champions Vienna where he totalled 28 points in 30 games.

JESTERS CANCEL AGAIN
The following Sekonda Superleague fixture has been postponed:
Thursday 13th September Newcastle Jesters v Ayr Scottish Eagles

Paul Smith announced his decision this afternoon adding to fans' already deep fears over the team's participation in this season's Ice Hockey Superleague campaign. It is understood director of ice hockey Glenn Mulvenna will continue the day-to-day running of the side, which has already had to postpone its first four games because of the �150,000 dispute.

SHEFFIELD TAKE ROSTER TO 7 - Brebant & Mansoff = 7
Steelers are delighted to announce the return of Rick Brebant as player assistant coach for a second year. He will be joined by former Nottingham and Bracknell defenseman Jason Mansoff as Mike Blaisdell's squad starts to build in defence of their Grand Slam crown.

Coach Blaisdell today confirmed the agreements by saying. "Rick Brebant is so important to me and this hockey club, it is no coincidence that this man has won 18 championships in his time in Britain. He is a winner, a proven competitor whose knowledge and respect for the game surpasses anyone I have come in to contact with.

Jason Mansoff has that experience of playing in the ISL which I like. He has had a good career in North America playing in the AHL (for Maine and Portland), IHL (Detroit and Las Vegas) and East Coast League (Hampton Road). I built my Grand Slam team last year on the defence and it's where I have started this year, Jason Mansoff will be a very good signing for this hockey club.

FIXTURE CHANGES
Following the postponement of the Ayr v Newcastle game on Saturday 8th September 2001, the Eagles will now be playing the LONDON KNIGHTS on that day, with the later face-off time of 7.00pm. The following changes have also been made:

Belfast v Sheffield From 20th December 2001 to Friday 4th January 2002
Belfast v London From 4th January 2002 to Saturday 12th January 2002
Belfast v Ayr From TBA to 20th December 2001

STEELERS SIGN EOIN
Sheffield Steelers have signed their first of two goalies for season 2001-2002 with the acquisition of former Nottingham Panthers star Eoin McInerney.

Steelers Coach Mike Blaisdell moved quickly to sign the 24 year-old last week and said today. "Eoin has experience in the ISL and that will be important as it is more than likely our other goalie won't have. Eoin played against us on several occasions last year and seemed to be getting the start in many of the Panthers' big games.

VIAL SIGN FOR ECHL TEAM
Ex Sheffield Steelers Captain Dennis Vial has signed for Columbia Inferno of the East Coast Hockey League

STRUCH LIKELY TO BE OUT FOR 3-4 WEEKS
London Knights forward Dave Struch is likely to be out of action for 3-4 weeks after collecting a knee injury during the 9-3 win at the Belfast Giants.

Lauer was signed after Blaisdell held final talks with the player last Thursday. Lauer graced the ice for 323 NHL games scoring 44 NHL goals and 67 NHL assists predominantly with the New York Islanders (as well as the Chicago Blackhawks, Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins).

Brent Bobyck rejoins the Steelers after a short spell with the club as injury cover last year in which he helped the team win the Benson & Hedges Cup. Bobyck also rejoins coach Blaisdell having spent over 5 years with him in the Nottingham Panthers organisation.

Blaisdell said "I know we are under pressure to sign a team quickly, however its no use signing the wrong team and we are all confident here that we have some exciting players lined up to come in and help us continue our wining tradition. I hope to make new signings almost on a daily basis"

SHEFFIELD WEEKEND GAMES POSTPONED
The Sheffield Steelers have announced the postponement of their next two games.
The Games which have been postponed are:
Saturday 8th September, Sheffield Steelers Vs. Bracknell Bees
Sunday 9th September, Sheffield Steelers Vs. Belfast Giants

Their first game will be against their arch rivals the Nottingham Panthers at the National Ice Centre on Saturday 15th September.

He did this during Belfast 4-0 win at the Ayr Scottish Eagles, The shutout came the night after conceding nine against the London Knights on his home debut.

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