Sheffield Steelers add to defensive corps.

Thirty-three-year-old Finnish defenceman, Mikko Kuukka, will be joining the Sheffield Steelers to add injury cover over the busy period ahead for the club.

Aaron Brocklehurst, Aaron Johnson and Jonas Liwing, all on long term injuries,  have all been missing in recent weeks.

This was after they brought in Czech defenceman Marek Troncinsky last week.

“Mikko is a big steady stay at home d-man” said head coach Aaron Fox.

“He skates very well for a big guy and plays a heavy game. He has been a guy known for playing against other teams top players in a shutdown role and keeps the game simple and is a real team guy.  He will bring a defense first mentality to our group and is excellent in PK/box play.

“With the amount of games coming up over the next five weeks and long term injuries to AJ and Jonas still a long ways out, we felt it was important to be proactive and make sure we are in a position to have success, especially if we lost anyone else”.

Born in Hameenkyro, Finland, but it was in Red Deer Alberta that Kuukka played his major junior hockey in the WHL.

Kuukka made his Liiga debut in 2005 with IIves, he would go on to play 695 league and play off games in Finland’s top division.

“Marek Troncinsky is a D who has played well at the highest levels in Europe and felt like it was an easy decision once conversations started with his representation,” said Fox.

“He can play a physical gritty defensive game and also skates well and has some offensive upside as he led all D-men in scoring in the Czech Extraliga in 17-18.

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