9th year defenseman Mike Ratchuk(7) splits North American hockey for a second time signing a one-year deal with Sheffield Steelers of the EIHL for 2016/2017.
He first left a few seasons ago for Erste Bank Eishockey Liga‘s Olimpija Ljubljana after winning the 2012 Kelly Cup with Florida Everblades but only last for half the year before returning to post a career high 19 assists in just 31 games.
The 5’11” 190 blue liner would next move on agreeing to a contract with Wheeling Nailers, where he played 69 ECHL games and set new bests for scoring with a league leading 15 goals by a d-man and 29 assists for 44 points, including an outstanding 183 shots on net.
He returned to the Nailers for another campaign but was injured limiting his play to 28 appearances, yet was still able to connect for a pair of goals and 9 assists.
Originally a Philadephia Flyers‘ 2nd round pick in the 2006 draft (#42 overall), he spent his rookie season with affiliate Philadephia Phantoms and would start his sophomore year in the system before being traded early on to Columbus Blue Jackets, where he took up with Syracuse Crunch.
He would start the last year of his entry level deal with new farm club Springfield Falcons but was sent further down to Fort Wayne Komets of the Central Hockey League and appeared in their playoffs.
The 28-year old has proven he can put up points and will likely do very well over in England.