Fife Flyers have activated the countdown to a new season of ice hockey with under 40 days to go before the puck drops.

Head coach Tim Wallace and his new-look roster are due in town mid-August to prepare for a four-game exhibition series of games before plunging into the 2026-27 Challenge Cup qualifiers.

He has recruited a mix of North American, Swedish, Finnish, Slovakian and Czech skaters,with only Garet Hunt returning from last season’s imports, and a shake-up of the British ranks too - underlining the scale of the rebuild. He still has more names to add, and his message to his new skaters is clear - if you’re in form and ready to play, then you will hit the ice.

“If they’re ready to play, they’ll play,” he said. “That’s pro hockey.

Tim Wallace is due in Kirkcaldy to lead Fife Flyers into the new ice hockey season (Pic: Dave Williams)

placeholder image — Tim Wallace is due in Kirkcaldy to lead Fife Flyers into the new ice hockey season (Pic: Dave Williams)

“The first test is to see how in shape they are after summer and how much work they have done during that time.

“We have two weeks to gel and hit the ground running with our pre-season games. We want to create some chemistry, and I know we have the depth which means players will be accountable - and you need that in this league.”

It has been a busy summer for Wallace, building his own roster, and it is one he is looking forward to unveiling in front of the fans.

“Every one who has signed wants to be here,” he said. “And they are hungry to take their game to the next level. Those are the two main things that came across from speaking to, and researching what felt like hundreds of players.

“They realise this is a better league than they have been in, and want to push himself themselves on, or they are coming out of college hockey and this is a doorway into European hockey. I am very keen to see what they can do, and I can’t wait to get to work for the fans here who have been amazing. I want to put a team on the ice that is entertaining, and wins games.”

> The puck drops on a new campaign on Friday, August 28 when Ukranian team, Kyiv Capitals come to Fife Ice Arena.

The action continues when Hull Seahawks come to Fife Ice Arena on Saturday, August 29. Flyers stage a second annual exhibition game against SNL outfit Kirkcaldy Kestrels after the success of the match last season.

The teams meet on Saturday, September 5, and they then wrap their pre-season build up with a game against Dundee Stars on Sunday 6th.