Earlier this week, we issued our first set of Elite League Questions to the Belfast Giants, Cardiff Devils, and Coventry Blaze. Today, we shift our attention to Scotland’s top-flight franchises: the Dundee Stars, Fife Flyers, and Glasgow Clan.
Related: 2022-23 Elite League Fan Survey: Have Your Say Before Puck Drop
It has been a busy summer in the Elite League, with a constant stream of players joining and leaving clubs across the land. With that said, British Ice Hockey has one burning question for each team before the puck drops on 2022-23. Let’s dig in.
Dundee Stars: What is Jeff Mason’s Long-Term Plan?
In the final throes of Omar Pacha’s time behind the bench in Dundee, the Stars emerged as the story of the playoffs by eliminating the Sheffield Steelers in the quarter-finals.
But plenty has happened since then. Pacha left to become CEO of the Nottingham Panthers, with former Belfast Giants assistant coach Jeff Mason hired as his replacement.
“We are delighted to have Jeff join our club as both our head coach and general manager,” said club director Steve Ward. “A lot of work has been done both on and off the ice over the past five years to develop the organisation and we believe Jeff is the ideal candidate to continue this.”
Elite League Questions: How will Jeff Mason adapt as Dundee head coach? (Image: Dundee Stars)
Mason added: “I am extremely excited to become part of the Stars family. I am grateful to the Ward family for the opportunity they have given to me to continue the great work that has been done within the club over the past five years.”
It will be fascinating to see how Mason adapts to his new role, especially considering the high level of turnover in Dundee’s roster.
Also of note: the Stars enter 2022-23 with one of the youngest squads in the Elite League (average age: 25.52 years) and several rookies from the collegiate level.
Mason is held in high esteem following his time as a member of Adam Keefe’s supporting cast in Belfast, but he faces a testing start to his head coaching career in Dundee. Will he sink or swim?
Fife Flyers: Is Playoff Return on the Cards?
It has been a while since Fife enjoyed postseason success. They have not qualified for the playoffs since 2018-19, with their last Finals Weekend appearance arriving a year earlier.
But could the Flyers’ dry spell end this term? Quite possibly.
Todd Dutiaume made several impressive moves this offseason, starting with the retention of star netminder Shane Owen. Despite playing behind a leaky blueline, the 32-year-old upheld a .913 save percentage last term and remains one of the Elite League’s top puck stoppers. He is always a player to watch.
Elite League Question: Will Shane Owen lead the Flyers back to the playoffs? (Image: William Cherry)
Fife also added Finnish-ing quality to their top-six with the acquisition of Janne Laakkonen and Janne Kivilahti from Coventry. Lucas Sandström, a recent arrival from the Sheffield Steelers, is another interesting hire.
In defence, 23-year-old Reece Harsch offers plenty of upside. He is young, hungry, and enjoyed an impressive career in junior and collegiate hockey. If the Canadian adapts quickly, he could prove to be one of the shrewdest signings of the summer.
In other words, the Flyers look much improve on paper. But what about on the ice?
Glasgow Clan: Will Ty Taylor or Zach Driscoll Claim the Crease?
For the first time since 2015-16, the Clan are rolling with two import netminders.
Shane Starrett, the starting goaltender in Glasgow last season, is out, with Zach Driscoll and Ty Taylor replacing him in the blue paint. But who will claim the crease?
“Zach’s our number one,” said head coach Malcolm Cameron, “I’ve spoken to Ty and the situation with 54 Elite League games, plus the Challenge Cup games, means there will be times when Zach will need to rest.
“Goaltenders in North America are used to playing 60-plus games per season, so that’s not a concern for me at all. We wanted to have someone who is ready to step in, in the event of an injury situation. It was nice to have that option certainly and a big guy hungry to come in, but Zach is clearly our number one guy and will get the majority of the starts.”
Elite League Questions: How will Zach Driscoll fare as Glasgow’s starting goalie? (Image: ECHL)
Driscoll, 25, arrives in the Elite League with three appearances in the professional ranks, upholding a .913 save percentage for the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye. He also has an impressive record in the NCAA, recording a .917 save percentage through 136 appearances for Bemidji State and North Dakota.
Taylor, 23, was selected in the seventh round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning and departs USports with an 8.90 save percentage through 13 appearances last term.
“I’m really excited about our goaltending,” Cameron explained. “Zach came highly recommended from University of North Dakota and NHL scouts… I’m not worried about experience: the guys are good and they’ll just get better.
“Unless there’s an injury, illness or a suspension situation, we’ll run with the typical import goalie and the Brit as the back-up, but that may change over the course of the season.”
It is Driscoll’s net to lose. Let’s see what he has to offer.
2022-23 Elite League Roster Pages
Throughout the offseason, BIH has been curating squad summary articles for each of the Elite League’s clubs. You can find them below:
