Aaron Fox: Sheffield Steelers coach hails consistency after Elite League title win

Sheffield Steelers' first Elite League title in eight years was a testament to consistency, said head coach Aaron Fox.

Fox's side ensured they could not be caught at the top to secure a second piece of silverware in 2024, after their Challenge Cup triumph.

Steelers beat Guildford Flames on home ice, just as they did to win the cup, to secure the regular season title.

"What a group of guys we have and what a hard trophy it is to win," Fox told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"The amount of consistency that's needed, the ownership group that allows you to bring in players when you've got injuries.

"There's a lot of things that go into this and I'm just happy with us being able to get it done."

One more trophy is up for grabs this season, when the top sides go into the play-offs weekend in Nottingham over 20-21 April for the final act of the season.

Only three teams have won a treble in the Elite Ice Hockey League era, Coventry, Nottingham and Belfast - the latter achieving the feat in 2023.

There is confidence within the Steelers side to make it four and back-to-back treble winning teams after the Giants' heroics last season.

"I don't see any reason why we can't," Fox added.

"We're probably going to fall off a bit for the next week, we'll get some bodies into the line-up that hasn't been in here for a while.

"Get the guys some rest, and rotate a few guys in and out and change things system wise to give some different things a look.

"Then we'll refocus and make sure we're playing our best and ready to go for the opening play-off weekend."

Having secured the title with five games to spare, Steelers can now look to enjoy their success without jeopardising their pursuit of further trophies.

It has been a special season for the players, notably the heroes of the success such as third-period scorer Mitchell Balmas, whose goal gave the hosts a crucial buffer.

"It wasn't a perfect 60 but we got it done in front of these crowds and it's unbelievable," Balmas said.

"It was a big goal in the third and I was lucky enough to get it in, but credit to these guys they've been in with me all year."