Todd Dutiaume wants to add some toughness to his Fife Flyers roster as the club bids for further improvement in the Elite League.

Flyers finished sixth during the regular season in 2015/16, before progressing to the play-off semi-final where they were defeated by Nottingham Panthers.

With Ryan Dingle and Shayne Stockton already confirmed as returnees, Dutiaume has identified the main areas he is looking to strengthen ahead of the new season.

“The core I have identified and started signing is going to give us an excellent group to build around,” said Dutiaume.

“Last season we were exciting and dynamic, but I feel we lacked a bit of size and grittiness.

“That is an area that we will be looking to improve upon as well as finding that level of consistency immediately as we know how crucial that is to league success.”

The 2016/17 season sees another increase in imports from 13 to 14, with 11 non EU work permit holders and 3 EU work permit holders.

Dutiaume confirmed he intends to start the season with a full quota of 14.

“Over the past five seasons we’ve seen how important it is to be at full strength at all times,” he said.

“I really enjoyed the dynamic of our dual nationals and the interaction in the dressing room – it is a way I’d like to continue.

“I would not however rule out the use of the highly talented European players we have right on our doorstep.

“I commend the directors’ commitment in allowing us to run with an extra through the crucial closing months of last season.

“That being said, with numbers always increasing it stretches many clubs including ourselves to a breaking point.

“Being a gate based club forces a number of us to draw a line in the sand.

“Where that line is I’m not entirely sure, but I know we are approaching it quickly.”

(Image permission: Fife Flyers)