Young winger Joe Lynch made his Elite League debut on Boxing Day, becoming the third Lynch to take to the ice for Fife Flyers.
The 18-year-old, who came through the Kirkcaldy Ice Hockey Club junior development programme, was drafted in from Scottish National League side Edinburgh Capitals on a two-way deal for their recent home game against Dundee Stars.
Lynch scored 20 goals and provided six assists in 26 games last season, as well as a further 11 goal contributions so far during the current campaign – also icing for Solway Sharks in the Planet Ice NIHL National Division.
Later this month, international honours will also be forthcoming for Lynch, who has been selected as one of five Scottish-born players to play for Great Britain’s U20 team in Croatia at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship Division IIA.
Despite his Elite League debut ending in defeat, Lynch added to an already-impressive family history with the Flyers over the Christmas period.
Not the first Lynch to feature for Fife
Photo credit: Solway Sharks
Debuting for Fife at a young age runs in the Lynch family as Steven Lynch, Joe’s father, broke into the Flyers team at just 15 years of age during the 1991/92 season.
Over three seasons with the Flyers, Steven made over 100 appearances, registering over 40 goal involvements in the process.
Steven also made his Great Britain debut whilst playing for Fife, appearing at two U18 European Championships, leading the team for points in the 1993/94 edition.
Now, Steven is the head coach of his son’s parent club – Edinburgh Capitals.
Origins of the Lynch-Flyers legacy
The Lynch legacy all stems from Jim Lynch, however, who debuted for the Flyers back in September 1980.
Lynch made his British debut in Scotland, having spent his junior career in Toronto.
He enjoyed a successful spell for Fife, scoring over two points per game in 150 appearances, including over 100 points in 30 appearances during his rookie season.
Jim’s career with the Flyers didn’t just stop on the ice though, with Lynch later taking up a coaching role once he hung up his skates.
In fact, he momentarily came out of retirement to lace up for the Flyers once again in 1994, during a time of emergency.
There, he and his stepson Steven made Flyers history as the only father and son to have appeared together in a competitive game for the club.
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