Fife Flyers' star 'overwhelmed' by messages of support as he leaves club

Fife Flyers have lost one of their most popular players with the news that Carlo Finucci has opted to play in Romania next season.

The club’s all-time top points scorer in the EIHL confirmed his departure this weekend after four seasons in Kirkcaldy. He has joined AC Corona Brasov in the Erste Liga.

Finucci (33), is the fourth player to depart from last season’s roster, with no signings yet announced as the club faces a potential prolonged spell in limbo as the 2020-21 UK ice hockey season has yet to confirm any start date following the pandemic.

His departure will be felt in the stands where he was a hugely popular player, renowned for his commitment and work-rate - and a batch of dramatic over-time goals which lit up several match nights.

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Finucci signed off with a message of thanks to the time and the supporters.

He said the number of good luck messages which had poured into his soclal media timelines had been “overwhelming” and added: “It shows how big an honour it was to play in front of the Flyers’ fans.

“I will be forever grateful for the support I received year after year.”

Finucci came to the UK after icing with Las Vegas Wranglers in the ECHL and a season in Denmark with Rungsted.

He joined Swindon Wildcats in 2015-16, but was keen to test himself in the top flight EIHL, and that opportunity came when Flyers signed him for the 2016-17 season.

“I can’t thank Tom Muir, the Flyers’ organisation and Todd (Dutiaume) and Jeff (Hutchins) enough for the opportunity they gave me,” he wrote on social media. “So many great memories throughout my time in Fife, and becoming the club’s all-time points leader in the EIHL era is something I am very proud to have achieved.”

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Finucci is one of two Canadians who will ice with Brasov for the 2020-21 campaign - the roster already includes Cody Carlsson, who iced with Glasgow Clan.

His new team play out of a 1500-capacity rink and is a relative newcomer to the sport, having joined in 2007 - but it has won a host of silverware and figured in major finals. Brasov were runners up in the league in 2013-14.

Finucci’s departure opens up another berth in Flyers’ roster for next season, but the club has yet to make any signing announcements as they, and the EIHL, wait on clarity over when - possibly even, if - the campaign will start.

Flyers are one of several clubs to make no signing announcements, while others have forged ahead adding new players and confirming returnees.

The club has also lost promising young British defenceman Sam Jones to Sheffield Steelers - he has joined them on a two-year deal - while veter blueliner, Scott Aarssen has announced his retirement,

Kyle Just has also returned Germany after one season in Kirkcaldy.