Todd is sidelined after being forced to undergo surgery to repair a broken tibia on Monday. The 35-year-old Canadian was forced off the ice in Sunday’s 5-3 home win over Coventry Blaze and has been added to the team’s injured reserve list.
As a result and as the Steelers head into their Elite League title race with rivals Belfast Giants and Cardiff Devil hot on their heels, head coach Aaron Fox felt it was crucial to bolster his ranks on the blue line. The signing comes less than 24 hours after snapping up Austrian striker Nico Feldner from HC Innsbruck.
And it was Fox’s close relationship with Innsbruck’s management team that saw him return there for Czech-born Antonin Boruta, who joins the Steelers roster for the remainder of the 2021-22 campaign. .
“With Daine out of training, our transfer timing needs have changed,” Fox explained. “We have agreed a second loan deal with HC Innsbruck for Antonin.
“It’s a solid two-way ‘D’ that skates well and will give us much-needed depth in the break-in. He can play both sides and plays a very solid defensive game. He’s put up good numbers everywhere he’s been and should be a good pick.
“Daine has had a great year. He played in all of our key situations and was definitely one of the best D-man in this league. We are all very disappointed for him and wish him a speedy recovery.
