Danny Stewart Back At Fife Despite Other Offers

Danny Stewart has turned down a number of clubs to stay at Fife Flyers, according to the Kirkcaldy club.

The 30 year old will return to the Old Barn for a fifth season, having spoken to other franchises in the division with head coaching roles sitting vacant.

He'll be a player and associate coach again, and says his "first class" treatment in Fife played a big part in the decision.

Stewart, from Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada said he was "thrilled" to be back:

He said: “I think it was important for us as individuals and as an organization, to take some time and consider where we need to go and where we need to get better.

“Personally I needed some time to also consider the options which were coming my way. After a lot of consideration, I chose to return to Fife because I believe in where this team is headed and I’ve seen and been a part of how this team has progressed over the past few years.

“I have been treated first class since the day I arrived in Fife and that played a big part in my decision to return. 

Stewart said "nobody was more disappointed" than him and returning coach Todd Dutiaume, but "sport is not black and white, nor is it an automatic progression."

"Dutes and I recognise that we need to work even harder to put a team together that we can all be proud of. A team that's going to compete every night for each other, and a team that will conduct themselves as professionals on and off the ice for this storied franchise. he added.

“We are already working on recruitment for next season, which involves finding players, speaking to players, working out where they fit into the team etc. It’s not as simple as looking at a resume and just signing a guy. We have to make sure that the player will fit in with the team we are trying to build. It’s like a jigsaw and if it takes us the full summer to get the right guys, then so be it.

"We will have a team on the ice, who will play their hearts out every game.”