Verner will make his Steelers debut against Coventry Blaze

Sheffield Steelers have signed veteran former Newcastle Vipers netminder Andrew Verner as cover for the injured Kevin Reiter.

Reiter faces two months on the sidelines with a groin injury.

Canadian Verner, 37, is expected to make his debut against the Coventry Blaze on Saturday night at the Arena.

Head coach Dave Matsos told BBC Radio Sheffield: "He's top pedigree however you cut it. I think it is huge to have Andrew on board."

"But if it wasn't for the injury to Kevin Reiter then I would not be shopping around for another goalie," he continued.

It is a life-altering decision to make on the back of a five-minute conversation Sheffield Steelers new-boy Andrew Verner

"I was faced with the situation that Reiter was going to be out for several months and so I repaired it the best I could. With the way we started the league season we needed something special and Andrew Verner is something special."

Verner spent last season with the Newcastle Vipers, but because of the current financial climate he decided not to return for a second season in the North East.

He said: "With my good friend Rob Wilson being in Newcastle we thought it would be a good move to go there for two or three years and get the kids settled, but it didn't turn out that way. It wasn't Rob's fault - it was just the financial situation.

"It's always been in the back of my mind that I might end up in Sheffield and I always thought that if I was going to play in England then it would be in Sheffield because of their winning tradition and the fact it is a well-run organisation.

"It has been a big rush to get over here. They were rushed as well trying to get me in. It is a life-altering decision to make on the back of a five-minute conversation.

"I expected I would have a week or so get my family settled, but it's hockey and so you have to go when you get the call."

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