The splitting ways of between Sheffield Steelers and former Head Coach Paul Thompson split the British hockey community.

Some doubting his acquisitions from the past two seasons, the lack of positive results and a perceived attitude that it was someone else’s fault – especially prevalent with the release of the Rupert twins, a summer addition which spectacularly failed to work.

His supporters however cited Thompson’s excellent work in bringing the youngsters through at Sheffield, notably Liam Kirk who recently made history as the first English born and trained hockey player to be selected in the NHL entry draft.

The hiring of Tom Barrasso is certainly newsworthy and a big name to bring into a club where there is a climate of uneasiness right now.

Barrasso’s playing resume is second to none.
He was the only goaltender to ever play in the NHL directly from high school, without having played major junior, college, or some other form of professional hockey first, after being drafted 5th overall by Buffalo Sabres in 1983.
During his rookie year, Barraso won the Calder Memorial Trophy (Top rookie in NHL) and Vezina Trophy (Top goaltender in NHL).
The Boston native would win back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991 and 1992 and represented that franchise for a decade.

Achievements:

• Most NHL assists by a goaltender (career) – 48
• Most NHL points by a goaltender (career) – 48
• Most consecutive NHL playoff wins – 14 (May 9, 1992 to April 22, 1993)
• Shares record for most consecutive wins in one NHL playoff season – 11 in 1992
• Shares record for most wins in one NHL playoff season – 16 (1992)
• Second most wins by a US born Goaltender (369)
• Inducted as a member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009.

Having retired in 2003, Barrasso didn’t enter the coaching ranks until 2007 with Carolina Hurricanes.
After two years as a goaltending coach and three more as Assistant Coach, the American headed to Europe taking on roles with KHL teams Metallurg Magnitogorsk (Asst. Coach) and HC Slovan Bratislava (Goaltending Coach).
A move to Italy followed whereupon Barraso has enjoyed Italian Cup success with Valpellice and most recently a league championship at Asagiao, whom he’s left to join Sheffield after three seasons at the helm.

The 53 year old might only be taking on the Head Coaching role at Sheffield (Thompson was also GM) but faces a huge challenge with Sheffield currently rooted to the foot of the league standings with just one regulation win to their name.
Barraso’s first game in charge will be a baptism of fire as the Steelers travel to league leaders Nottingham Panthers this Saturday.