Fife Flyers have lost another key forward to injury.

Centreman Gio Finoro has been released and returned home to have surgery on a pre-existing condition.

The 27-year old skater departed before this weekend’s matches, with Flyers already struggling for firepower with Josh Winquist injured and former NHLer David Booth’s season over through injury.

The club confirmed his departure shortly before face-off with a short statement which simply said: “Fife Flyers have agreed to release Giordano Finoro to return home for surgery for a pre-existing condition he has. We would like to thank Gio for his time with the club and wish him all the best with his recovery.” There was no indication whether placing him on Injury Reserve (IR) for a mandatory 42 days was considered an option.

Gio Finoro has left Fife Flyers (Pic: Derek Young)

placeholder image — Gio Finoro has left Fife Flyers (Pic: Derek Young)

The two-way centreman joined the club from IF Troja-Ljungby in the Swedish second tier.

Following a junior career that saw Finoro cross paths with a few former Flyers, he joined the University of Guelph where he picked up the USports (OUA) Championship during a successful first season in which he returned 31 points (16+15) in 35 games.

From there he headed to Italy icing with Asiago firstly in the Alps Hockey League and then in the Austrian top tier, ICE Hockey League (ICEHL). During his time with Asiago, Giordano recorded 114 points (59+55) across 131 games in all competitions.

In his 32 Elite League games, Finoro logged nine goals and seven assists.