Debut for Fife Flyers’ Swedish forward as coach guards against ‘saviour’ complex
Fife Flyers will have new Swedish forward Anton Karlsson in the line-up this weekend after international clearance delayed his debut.
The former third round draft pick for the Phoenix Coyotes was in Kirkcaldy in time to ice in last weekend’s games, only to be left on the sidelines while his paperwork was processed.
Now, head coach Jamie Russell is looking forward to seeing him in action as he takes his team to Altrincham to face Manchester Storm on Friday night with a rare Saturday off before Sunday’s home game against Cardiff Devils.
It gives him one new option up front as he looks to solve the club’s prolonged goal drought.
But the coach - and fans - will have to wait a bit longer for former NHLer, David Booth, to touch down in Scotland. He is not due in until next week.
At 41 he will be the oldest player in the EIHL this season, but brings a wealth of experience, accrued over 535 games in the world’s top league.
A second round draft pick for Florida Panthers, he also iced for Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings across 10 seasons. He spent three seasons in the KHL, iced in the AHL, and had three seasons in Norway’s top flight and a campaign in Germany’s DEL2.
He comes to Fife after a short summer spell Down Under where he rattled off 69 points (36+33) in 16 games with Melbourne Ice, helping the team to a championship double.
On Karlsson’s arrival, Russell said: “He brings good experience and size, and a good reputation for working hard. He has good hockey sense and will chip in offensively for us.”
But he warned: “We have to be wary of the ‘saviour’ complex of expecting one guy to come in and make all the difference. It will take time to get used to hockey here, the schedule, travel and systems, but I am looking forward to getting Anton and David both in. With them here and guys coming back from injury, we have a chance to start slotting players into roles where they should be. - not a fourth line guy playing in the second, or a guy who usually handles one or two shifts doing one in every three.”
The prospect of Booth adding more NHL experience to the roster - it already has defenceman Simon Despres who iced with Pitttsburgh Penguins and Anaheim Duck has excited the club.
Max Birbraer, Flyers’ GM and president, said: “What seemed like a crazy idea not long ago has now become reality.
"Arguably, one of the biggest pedigree players to join the club, David’s resume speaks for itself, but what impressed us the most is that he is regarded as an extreme professional who takes pride in his on and off the ice performance and all-in attitude.”