Here’s an interesting question: will the Fife Flyers’ 2022-23 squad return the franchise to the playoffs? They haven’t reached the postseason since 2018-19 and are desperate to return to winning ways this time around.
Todd Dutiaume, who has been a member of the Flyers since 1999, is building a promising team as head coach-general manager. His summer business includes snatching a pair of Finns from the Coventry Blaze while retaining star netminder Shane Owen.
It remains to be seen whether Fife have acquired enough quality to secure their playoff return, but they seem to be on the right path.
Fife Flyers 2022-23 Roster:
Last updated at 09:23 on Thursday, 18 August; bookmark this page to stay up-to-date with Fife’s latest signings.
Fife Flyers Goaltenders:
Shane Owen: Despite finishing the season with a losing record behind a shaky defence, Owen recorded an impressive .913 save percentage last term. He is one of the Elite League’s best netminders and will once again play a crucial role for the Flyers.
Shane Owen, Fife Flyers (Image: Flyers Images)
- Coach’s Verdict:
- Age: 32
- Height: 6’1”
- Catches: Left
- Nation(s): Canada
Andrew Little: Born in Paisley, Little will embark upon his fifth Elite League season this autumn. He has made four appearances since 2017-18 and will again be used sparingly.
- Coach’s Verdict:
- Age: 24
- Height: 6’0”
- Catches: Left
- Nation(s): Great Britain
Fife Flyers Defencemen:
New Signings:
Reece Harsch: Split between the University of Manitoba (USports), Abbotsford Canucks (AHL), and Toledo Walleye (ECHL), Harsch recorded 15 points (two goals, 13 assists) in 27 appearances last season. The defence-minded blueliner is a former associate captain of the Winnipeg Ice (WHL) and will be an asset for Fife on the penalty kill.
Reece Harsch, formerly University of Manitoba (Image: Manitoba Athletics)
- Coach’s Verdict: “It was important that our back-end is versatile and can log healthy minutes for us. Reece not only provides that, he also brings a size and range that we have been lacking for some time.”
- Age: 23
- Height: 6’2”
- Shoots: Right
- Nation(s): Canada
Chris Hausinger: Another second-year professional, Hausinger touches down in Scotland after an impressive rookie season in the ECHL. He made 58 appearances in the North American third tier, recording 29 points (five goals, 24 assists).
- Associate Coach’s Verdict: “Christian is a smooth skating defenseman, he is coming off a strong finish in the ECHL, we are looking for him to add offence from the back while being defensively responsible.”
- Age: 25
- Height: 6’0”
- Shoots: Right
- Nation(s): USA
Brayden Sherbinin joins the Flyers following two seasons in France’s Ligue Magnus, though his résumé also includes time in the ECHL, NCAA, and USports.
- Associate Coach’s Verdict: “Brayden is a strong skater that plays a solid defensive game. He has the ability to join the rush to help create offence. He is coming off two successful seasons in France’s top league, we will be looking for him to provide leadership being an older professional.”
- Age: 29
- Height: 6’0”
- Shoots: Left
- Nation(s): Canada
Returning Players:
Reece Cochrane: Developed in Fife’s academy system, Cochrane is back for a fourth season in the Elite League. The diminutive blueliner has made 94 top-flight appearances, notching one assist from a third-pair role.
- Coach’s Verdict: “Reece joined us towards the end of last season and was thrust into the line-up. He needs a strong offseason of hard work to maximise his success against the big, strong and quick forwards in this league. We expect Reece to come into camp looking to solidify his regular position in the line-up.”
- Age: 21
- Height: 5’8”
- Shoots: Left
- Nation(s): Great Britain
Jonas Emmerdahl is a familiar figure to Flyers fans. He first joined the club in 2019-20, registering 14 points (one goal, 13 assists) in 49 appearances before returning to Sweden. He bounced back to the Elite League last term, accumulating 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in 51 outings for the Flyers.
- Associate Coach’s Verdict: “Jonas has been rock solid in his last 2 seasons in Fife and it was a top priority to have him in a Flyers Jersey once again. A quiet man who leads by example, Jonas is a presence on and off of the ice.”
- Age: 30
- Height: 6’3”
- Shoots: Left
- Nation(s): Sweden
Fife Flyers Forwards:
New Signings:
Shawn Cameron joins the Flyers from the ECHL’s Greenville Swamp Rabbits, for whom he notched 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) in 59 appearances. He will play a middle-six role in Fife.
- Role: Right Wing
- Age: 26
- Height: 5’11”
- Shoots: Right
- Nation(s): Canada
Mikael Johansson is a former Swedish Hockey League champion with a pair of point-per-game seasons in the Alps Hockey League under his belt. He will feature in Fife’s middle-six next term.
- Role: Centre / Left Wing
- Age: 27
- Height: 6’3”
- Shoots: Left
- Nation(s): Sweden
Janne Kivilahti: Snatched from the Coventry Blaze, Kivilahti scored 33 points (16 goals, 17 assists) in 43 Elite League appearances last time out. He is a savvy signing for the Flyers.
- Role:
- Age: Left Wing / Right Wing
- Height: 5’10”
- Shoots: Left
- Nation(s): Finland
Janne Laakkonen is proof that age is just a number. The 40-year-old played in Finland, Sweden, Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Poland, Austria, and Norway before landing in the Elite League in 2019-20. He registered 101 points (22 goals, 79 assists) in 94 appearances for Coventry and remains a top-end playmaker at this level.
Janne Laakkonen, formerly Coventry Blaze (Image: Scott Wiggins)
- Player’s Verdict: “After I spoke with coach and GM Todd I was impressed that the club really wants to be better this year and fight for better results in the standings. For this reason, I chose Fife and really want to bring my experience and offensive skills to the team and help the team win a lot of games and to return as a playoff team.”
- Role: Left Wing
- Age: 40
- Height: 5’10”
- Shoots: Left
- Nation(s): Finland
Dillon Lawrence is on a mission to play for every Elite League club, having already dressed for the Edinburgh Capitals, Coventry Blaze, and Dundee Stars. A capable penalty-killer, he registered 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) last season.
- Associate Coach’s Verdict: “Two of the areas we struggled with last year were face-offs and penalty killing, Dillon will certainly help in those areas whilst contributing on the offensive side of things.”
- Role: Centre
- Age: 27
- Height: 6’3”
- Shoots: Left
- Nation(s): Canada / Great Britain
Zack Phillips: It isn’t often that an Elite League club recruits from Germany’s third division, but that’s the case with Phillips. He potted 39 points (22 goals, 17 assists) in 34 appearances for Starbulls Rosenheim last season, adding to his experience in the AHL, ECHL, Allsvenskan, EBEBL, Polish League, and EIHL.
He last appeared on these shores in 2017-18, hitting 46 points (15 goals, 31 assists) for the Nottingham Panthers. He’s been there, seen it, and done it.
- Associate Coach’s Verdict: “Zack is an experienced player that has played at the highest level. He has produced offence throughout his career and we expect him to come here and do the same.”
- Role: Centre / Right Wing
- Age: 29
- Height: 6’0”
- Shoots: Right
- Nation(s): Canada
Returning Players:
Scott Jamieson will once again fulfil an important role on Fife’s fourth line. He registered three points (one goal, two assists) in a 50-appearance campaign last term.
- Coach’s Verdict: “It is important for many Flyers fans to see local players getting an opportunity to play for the club. Over the years we have been blessed with many such players and Scott has the tools to follow on a long line of local players who have been regulars for the Flyers.”
- Role: Left Wing
- Age: 21
- Height: 6’0”
- Shoots: Left
- Nation(s): Great Britain
Chris Lawrence is a popular power-forward in Fife. He joined the team mid-season in 2021-22, contributing five points (three goals, two assists) and an eye-watering 72 penalty minutes in 15 appearances.
- Coach’s Verdict: “When Chris arrived in January there was a shift in the team both on and off the ice. On ice, he became crucial in draws and the team played more confidently with his physicality and leadership.”
- Role: Right Wing / Centre
- Age: 35
- Height: 6’3”
- Shoots: Right
- Nation(s): Canada
Bari McKenzie: Similarly to Dillon Lawrence, McKenzie played for his fair share of Elite League clubs (Coventry Blaze, Basingstoke Bison, Belfast Giants, Edinburgh Capitals, Dundee Stars, Glasgow Clan) before joining the Flyers in 2018-19. He made 51 appearances last term, registering five points (three goals, two assists) from the fourth line.
Bari McKenzi, Fife Flyers (Image: Flyers Images)
- Coach’s Verdict: “What you see is what you get with Bari, he leaves absolutely everything on the ice and gives his all on every shift.”
- Role: Right Wing
- Age: 35
- Height: 6’1”
- Shoots: Right
- Nation(s): Great Britain
James Spence made his Elite League debut last season, accumulating 35 appearances and one assist for the Flyers.
- Coach’s Verdict: “Hungry to secure a regular spot in the line-up, Spence has already started his off-ice training that is crucial to realising his goals. I feel this young man has a bright future in a Flyers uniform.”
- Role: Right Wing
- Age: 20
- Height: 6’0”
- Shoots: Right
- Nation(s): Great Britain
Stay across the latest developments in the Elite League by bookmarking Luke James’ squad review thread:
I've spent the afternoon updating British Ice Hockey's squad trackers, here's a quick thread linking to each of them 🧵
** I'll have Guildford, Dundee, Glasgow, and Fife online within the next 1-3 days 🔜
— Luke James (@LukeJames_32) August 7, 2022
