Lavigne heads to Sheffield in week of goalie changes

Photo: Mark Ferris

As the IIHF transfer deadline in February draws ever closer, teams have been making roster moves throughout Week 20 in this season's Viaplay Elite League.

On Friday morning, Sheffield Steelers confirmed the departure of Swedish netminder Oscar Östlund. After picking up an injury in pre-season, Östlund was placed in injured reserve and did not ice in a competitive EIHL fixture. 

“Oskar is due to come off the IR (injury reserve) this week and we had a chat about our current situation, he understood that Greener (Matt Greenfield) is our guy here moving forward and that I could not promise him a string of games to get him into form," explained Head Coach Aaron Fox.

“After the conversation, he has asked for his release to pursue an option to play more games in Europe. If this was most any other league with a long play-off format things would likely have been different but with the situation we are currently in and the League being so tight our plan is to ride Greener here.  

“With Osty not playing much last year and how things have gone this year he really wants and needs to play and we weren’t going to hold him back from that so have agreed to release him effective immediately. He’s worked hard in this process and unfortunately things didn’t work out here as I believe he’s a quality goalie and wish him well."

The Steelers strengthened with the signing of Hayden Lavigne, who was released by Manchester Storm earlier in the week. Lavigne was not the only goalie moving - Peyton Jones was released by Belfast Giants and immediately picked up by Nottingham Panthers - he could start against his former team on Saturday. The Panthers let Jack Berry go as part of the moves.

Elsewhere around the league, Dundee released defenseman Colin Joe while Storm picked up forward Tyler Barrow from the SPHL. Cardiff released Rory Herrman to Telford in the NIHL as he searches for greater ice time.