Counting down to a new season of ice hockey

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Piece by piece, Fife Flyers roster is taking shape

A new ice hockey season is almost upon us.

The 2019-20 EIHL campaign begins in September, but most teams have challenge games scheduled for the end of August to shake the rust from skates, and run the rule over their summer signings.

For Fife Flyers’ fans, the picture is not yet complete, but enough pieces are now in place for them to make a decent assessment of how the team is shaping up.

The forwards are all signed, and a new netminder stands between the pipes - all that is missing is the final blueliners.

And those signings hold one of the keys to how the season may shape up.

There are half a dozen new players heading to Kirkcaldy to join the core of players who iced last season.

They need to gel quickly to ensure the team gets off the most positive start possible.

The forwards appear to have plenty firepower  once again, and a fair bit of size too.

General feedback to the recruitment has been positive with Tim Crowder coming on board from Coventry Blaze to hook up with his brother, Paul, James Livingston joining from play-off champs, Cardiff Devils, and newcomer Kyle Just coming with a hefty resume of north American and European hockey.

Chase Schaber returns and will be angling to hit the ice in good health after injury and concussion wrecked his season.

A fully fit, buzzing Schaber is akin to a new player - he’s a guy who  can light up the rink, and whose enthusiasm is a key motivator in the dressing-room. 

One key role was filled this week with the announcement of Adam Morrison as the starting netminder.

At 6’ 3” he’s going to be an imposing figure between the pipes, but the big question is who will stand in front of the net?

There is no doubt many fans saw the defensive unit as a weak link last season - one that wasn’t strong enough and didn;t move the puck quickly enough to unleash the forward lines.

It’s also true to say the coaches didn’t agree with that assessment, so it will be interesting to see who fills the final slots on the team.

Scott Aarssen’s return ensures huge experience on the blue line - and a key set ‘em up guy - while former Glasgow Clan skater,Michal Gutwald, should bring a grittier edge than the departed Ricards Birzins.

It’s who they are paired with that fans want to see.

A Russ Moyer-esque leader, and a quick-skating defenceman in the mould of Ian Young would go down very nicely indeed.


While the signing announcements continue, the first players should be arriving in town in the next few days with the opening challenge games against Herlev Eagles set for August 24 and 25.

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