#10 overall pick Ellerby joins Steelers

Photo: Okotoks Today

Former NHL First Round draft pick Keaton Ellerby is joining the Sheffield Steelers for 2021/22.

The 6'5" defenseman was taken #10 overall by the Florida Panthers in 2007 and went on to play over 200 games in the NHL.

Since leaving North America, the 32-year-old has played in almost every top league in Europe with spells in the KHL, Swiss National League, Liiga, SHL, DEL, and EBEL. Most recently he played for Ferencváros in Hungary and was 4+12 in 34 Erste Liga games, playing alongside Justin Hodgman who is also heading to Sheffield for the new season.

"Keaton is a big-bodied defenseman who skates extremely well for his size. He can play a physical game when needed and is extremely sound in his own end," commented Head Coach Aaron Fox. "Because he skates so well, I feel like he will bring some two-way offense to our group as well as I like our defensemen to play fast and join the play as much as possible.

“Keaton will be a guy who is capable of playing in all situations and think his experience at the highest levels of North America and Europe will be a great addition to our team on and off the ice. I’m Looking forward to getting Keaton in and getting things going."