Sheffield Steelers have strengthened their ties with Sheffield Ice Hockey Club (SIHC), which runs local lower league and youth teams, creating a 400-strong ice hockey 'academy.'

The new set-up, finalised last week, will see the Elite League side involved closely with developing talent from the 12 teams that play out of Ice Sheffield, a facility based just a couple of hundred yards from the Hallam FM Arena, home of the Steelers.

Steelers spokesman David Simms said: "Sheffield Steelers and Sheffield Ice Hockey Club have always been run as seperate entities. Two years ago, Sheffield Ice Hockey Club moved into Ice Sheffield next door to the arena, from where they run twelve teams, going from under-10s to the Scimitars, who play in the English Premier League.

"After discussions, last week a plan was ratified to bring the two organisations closer together, so elements such as coaching and group purchasing will now be done under the one umbrella."

Mr Simms added that another, obvious advantage would be that Steelers would have the pick of new emerging talent.

"There are a lot of players in Sheffield, and of course they all want to be Steelers. This will ensure that any promising youngsters get the exposure they need to develop into Elite League players."

Mr Simms added that that as well as the Steelers benefiting from the juniors coming through, there would be a short term benefit to those current juniors who will have present day Steelers on the ice with them during practice.

"That will make the kids feel part of the Steelers family. Also, all junior teams will now have the name Steelers in their team, for example Sheffield Lazers now become Sheffield Steeler Lazers."