Fife Flyers dominated the signing news over the last week by bringing in five to complete their roster and round off a busy August for transactions.
The arrival of defenceman Jonas Emmerdahl, announced on Monday morning, takes it to nine players signed this month as they now start to look ahead to their pre-season games this weekend.
The 27-year-old makes his first move away from his native Sweden, coming in from IF Björklöven in the Allsvenskan, a league where he has over 350 appearances to his name.
Flyers coach Todd Dutiaume spoke of his new signings and what he’ll bring to his team.
He told the Flyers website: “Jonas completes our line up and solidifies the defence we will have playing in front of Adam this season.
“He moves well for a big man and adds to the size we have put in place this season. One of our latest ever signings but I’m sure people will feel it was worth the wait and help me welcome Jonas to Fife.”
✍️ SIGNING | Dutiaume Gets his Starting Netminderhttps://t.co/5cZLvcjHlG#WeAreFife | #BringTheNoise | #Fife pic.twitter.com/uNInL2SDLX
— Fife Flyers (@FifeFlyers) August 14, 2019
The ‘Adam’ Dutiaume referred to in his quotes was new netminder Adam Morrison, who comes in as the long awaited replacement for Belfast-bound Shane Owen.
Morrison played with South Carolina Stingrays last season and makes his first move away from North America, linking up with the Kirkcaldy side.
Flyers also added two new faces in Kyle Just, a left winger who can play in the centre, signing from Finnish second tier side RoKi.
Plus experienced defence man Dylan Quaile agreed to return to the Elite League to reunite with former coach Jeff Hutchins, Fife’s number two who worked with him at Dundee Stars in 2014.
Quaile also reunites with Tim and Paul Crowder in Kirkcaldy, who all played together in Australia with Sydney Ice Dogs during the summer.
Flyers also confirmed the return of backup netminder Andy Little, who will work with Morrison this season.
Staying in Scotland, Omar Pacha’s Dundee Stars completed their line-up for the new season with a new netminder and new forward.
Kevin Dufour was the last skater to be added to Dundee Stars this summer (PHOTO: Manchester Monarchs)
Canadian Kevin Dufour joined the Tayside club to complete the skating group and arrives from Manchester Monarchs, where he worked under former Belfast Giants coach Doug Christiansen last season.
Welsh netminder Brython Preece was the man to complete the set as he arrives to resurrect his career after taking a year out last season.
Preece previously played for Coventry Blaze and replaces Craig Holland, the long-serving backup, who has decided to move on.
One of Pacha’s Stars side from last season was confirmed as staying in the Elite League as Charles Corcoran was snapped by Danny Stewart’s Blaze.
The 24-year-old picked up 54 points in 68 games for the side after making a good account of himself in his first season as a pro.
Joining him on the roster is experienced Finn, Janne Laakkonen, who arrives from Katowice and was part of the team who played Belfast Giants twice in the Continental Cup last season.
The 37-year-old has also plied his trade in his native Finland, France, Belarus, Sweden, Kazakhstan and Russia before coming to the UK.
