Steelers preparing for NFC return

If all goes according to plan, the Sault Steelers will return to the Northern Football Conference for the 2018 season.

As the NFC shifted into playoff mode over the weekend, the Steelers organization has begun recruiting players ahead of next season and a return to action on the field.

In May, the Steelers program was forced to take a leave of absence from the league due to small player numbers out for pre-season practice.

Tom Peer, who suited up in the NFC as a member of the Sudbury Spartans last season, is among a group looking to make sure that the Steelers have enough players interested in playing next season ahead of league meetings in November. Peer is one of a number of players already committed for next season and wants to make sure the team returns.

Peer said that, as of Sunday evening, seven players had signed a letter of commitment to be a part of the team next year while other players have said they intend to sign with the team as well and will do so in the coming weeks.

Among the players committed were perennial league all-star Brandon Lewis, Alonzo Clarke and Jesse Hill, all players who have worn the Steeler uniform in the past.

Peer said the hope is to have 20 to 25 players committed to playing next season by November’s league meeting.

The team pulled out of NFC action just a week before the season was scheduled to begin and Peer would say that having up to 25 players committed by the league meeting would go a long way in showing NFC officials that the team is serious about being a part of the league next season.

Peer did say that players he has spoken to are excited about the team returning next summer.

“Guys are pumped up,” Peer said, adding that some former players have reached out to be involved in different capacities when the team returns. Some have inquired about the possibility of helping in other capacities if the time commitment of playing isn’t possible.

“That’s really promising,” Peer said.

The hope would also be to have a strong relationship with the Ontario Football Conference’s Sault Sabercats as well as Sault Minor Football when the Steelers return, something that’s key for the Steelers.

Going forward, as player commitments continue to come in, the team has made an effort to get involved in the community. The team participated in the Relay for Life earlier this summer and has also participated in other charity events and will continue to do so as players continue to join the team.