Leeds Knights: Cole Shudra loving life in the middle of import duo Grant Cooper and Zach Brooks

By Phil Harrison
Published 23rd Sep 2022, 19:30 BST
Updated 23rd Sep 2022, 23:36 BST
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SINCE first signing up as an apprentice with Sheffield Steelers back in 2016, Cole Shudra has spent hundreds of hours playing and training alongside some of the best imports to grace the Elite League.

He admits that it has, naturally, helped make him a better, all-round player, even though he perhaps didn’t get as much game-time as he would have wished over the course of what is now just over four seasons with the South Yorkshire club.

Shudra, 24, is on a two-way deal again with the Steelers this season, although it is Leeds Knights who - like for most of last season - have first call on him.

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And while Shudra will still be hoping to pick up as much top-flight ice time as he can again this season, he is more than happy with how things are progressing at Elland Road under head coach Ryan Aldridge.

GRAND START: Cole Shudra fires over during last Saturday's 7-4 win for Leeds Knights against NIHL National rivals and defending regular season league champions, Telford Tigers. Picture courtesy of Oliver Portamento.GRAND START: Cole Shudra fires over during last Saturday's 7-4 win for Leeds Knights against NIHL National rivals and defending regular season league champions, Telford Tigers. Picture courtesy of Oliver Portamento.
GRAND START: Cole Shudra fires over during last Saturday's 7-4 win for Leeds Knights against NIHL National rivals and defending regular season league champions, Telford Tigers. Picture courtesy of Oliver Portamento.

Perhaps it was his experience of the EIHL and regular contact with import players that prompted Aldridge to put Shudra in-between his two import forwards at the start of pre-season.