Fife Flyers have parted ways with head coach Tom Coolen after a difficult start to the season.
The decision comes just 24 hours ahead of the first game of their double-header against Elite League high-flyers Belfast Giants.
Fife have endured a tough start to the campaign, winning just two of their opening 19 games.
They find themselves seven points adrift of their nearest rivals, Dundee Stars, at the foot of the table, and have scored the fewest goals and conceded the most of any side in the division.
Coolen pays price for difficult run
The decision to part ways with Coolen was announced after a meeting with club director Tom Muir on Friday.
It is the first time the club’s owners have sacked any coach since taking charge in 1996.
Coolen, who returned for his second spell at the helm ahead of the 2023/24 season, has been criticised by some for his unorthodox recruitment policy over the summer.
Amongst their new signings were four players from Kazakhstan who impressed with their performances at the World Championships in May.
Maxim Musorov, Artur Gatiyatov, Madi Dikhanbek and Nikolai Shulga have all since left the club.
Following the departure of their Kazakh quartet, the Flyers made an ‘extraordinary circumstances’ roster request to the Elite League, in relation to the limit cap for non-homegrown players.
The request was approved, meaning they are able to sign more non-homegrown players to replace those who have recently left.
Talented Canadian forward Kieran Craig has since arrived at the Fife Ice Arena and will be available to make his debut this weekend.
“We’d like to place on record our thanks and best wishes to Coach Coolen for the future,” a Fife Flyers club statement read.
“To you, the fans, we thank you for your continued patience and support during this tumultuous time.”
Who will be next head coach?
While the search for Coolen’s permanent begins, the club have confirmed that Johnny Curran will take charge on an interim basis.
Curran, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament earlier in the season, has been working alongside Coolen in capacity of assistant since October.
He will be joined by Todd Dutiaume, who has agreed to lead training sessions with Curran unable to step onto the ice.
Dutiaume has enjoyed a 25-year-long association with the club as both a player and coach.
Alongside fellow coach Jeff Hutchins, Dutiame stepped down from his role as Flyers head coach in June 2023, with Coolen appointed as his replacement later that month.
“We ask that you give interim coach Curran time to adjust to his new role within the club and to be loud and proud for the players on the ice,” the Flyers’ statement concluded.
READ MORE:
