Fife Flyers: fresh turmoil as head coach quits with immediate effect

The shock news came this morning after he said he could not “in good conscience” continue in his role.

Russell leaves with immediate effect - and the club has to decide who runs the bench this weekend with a road trip to Cardiff Devils on Saturday, followed by a home game against Belfast Giants on Sunday.

The coach informed the team and Stephen Thompson, chief operating officer, of his decision and flies out with the aim of watching his son play college hockey in Boston this weekend.

Russell’s departure comes less than one month after he took on the additional role of general manager and had started talks with players to build next year’s team. Since then the club has been engulfed in turmoil as financial problems which led to co-owner Tom Avery being ousted and a new management team taking over.

Russell was the first appointment of the club’s new ownership, and, working with former president/GM Max Birbraer, had limited time to build a whole new team.

Announcing his departure, he said: “Effective immediately, I am resigning from the Fife Flyers, In good conscience I cannot continue in my role as head coach/GM. It has been an honour to work with these players and this staff. I adore Scotland, Kirkcaldy and the Kingdom of Fife, The community and fans have been amazing.”

The coach admitted this season has been the most testing he has ever experienced - there is no doubt he was left to handle the impact of decisions taken outwith the dressing-room - but he was deep into planning for next season.

“I have a good reputation and went about things with integrity,” he said. “This was a full rebuild starting from scratch, from the ground up this season. Results did not go as we wanted or hoped, but I had perhaps half the team set up for next season in terms of contracts, returning players and new signings I’d been recruiting,. That will not happen now.”

In a short statement, the club confirmed is departure, and added: “We would like to thank Jamie for his time with the club and wish him all the best for the future. We will update in due course on coaching staff updates.”