We would like to say a huge congratulations to Tate Shudra, who has just linked a two way deal with Sheffield Steeldogs and Sheffield Steelers. This shows the work and dedication to the development of our players in Blackburn.
Tate is the 3rd player in two years that iced with the Hawks end of the 22-23 season and continuing into the beginning of the 23-24 season before signing a full time deal with the Sheffield Steeldogs in the national league. In that time he has continued to develop into a player who now has a chance at the top flight league in the U.K. joining Brodie Kay (Fife Flyers) and Alex Oldale (Manchester Storm).

Head coach Dominic Osman on development.

These guys have showed tremendous ability to invest in their development. We always said we would pride ourselves on competing within the league and helping players achieve their hockey goals whatever they may be. Creating a professional atmosphere where players can come to learn and prepare to move to the next level is an important one. We have managed to secure players that help these guys so a lot of the credit needs to go to our current players who put in a shift to guide these guys and help teach them the ropes. Players will not develop by playing two shifts a period and it is important to establish yourself at a level that will keep them off the bench on and on the ice.

I feel we have created a great balance for younger players to strive and get the game time needed at the level that best suites them.

I think we also proved the last two years that no matter where the player plays if your good enough your good enough. We don’t have the luxury of having a national league team above us to help recruit players. The bottom line is if you’re good enough and out compete the guy next you, you will play at the national level even if the other guy played in the their system.

National level teams want to win. The best players will play no matter where they played their division 1 hockey. We will continue to teach and supply players with the tools to outplay the next guy in line. It’s up to them to use these tools and what they learned to get there. Huge congratulations to Tate as well as Oldale and Brodie. They won’t be the last from us!