Sheffield Steelers' prospect Cole Shudra will step out of his dad's shadow

At the moment, he's a chip off the old block.
Cole Shudra, Sheffield SteelersCole Shudra, Sheffield Steelers
Cole Shudra, Sheffield Steelers

But, hopefully, soon Cole Shudra will be known for what he does, not what his dear old dad did.

Cole now plays for Sheffield Steelers, where ‘Rocket’ Ron Shudra played 626 games, scoring 792 pts. Shudra Snr remains the favoured son of all long-term Steelers fans, and there are bound to be comparisons with his lad, who at 18, is on a three year full time apprentice contracts, along with Liam Kirk.

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It would be massively unfair to compare father and son - the Canadian dad arrived on our shores having played with Edmonton Oilers in the NHL.

Asked if he felt he would one day need to step out of Rocket’s shadow, Cole said he’d get his own identity probably when he’s played regularly and showed what he can do. “I have to prove myself as me. It is a tough subject. He is my dad, obviously I want to follow in his footsteps. But I have got to make my own.”

Certainly Shudra jr doesn’t seem to be under any pressure to make it in the Elite League.

“It’s a childhood dream of mine, to skate out here with the big lads” he says. Cole said it was hard to tell how far away he was from the level he’s witnessed in the games against Aalborg, last weekend.

Cole Shudra, Sheffield SteelersCole Shudra, Sheffield Steelers
Cole Shudra, Sheffield Steelers
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“I have just got to get stronger, and learn from the boys and pick my speed up. Not a lot is expected but you still want to prove yourself and try and break into the line-up.”

Steelers take on HV71 in Sweden on Thursday, their first match in this season’s Champions Hockey League.