Fife Flyers alternate captain Danny Stewart last week took time out to share how he is settling in to life in the Kingdom of Fife, and how things are different for him this season compared to that of his time with Newcastle Vipers, where he endured a tough season just trying to help keep Newcastle afloat.
“I think the main difference is obviously the fact that last season I was the coach and assisted Jamie Longmuir with the daily running of the club as well. This season in Fife I have been brought in solely as a player, so I guess I have way less on my plate than last year.”
With having some extra free time between training, gym sessions and games, Danny has been spending a lot of that time trying to nurse an early season injury that has been troubling him.
“We have been treated well here off the ice and hopefully us older guys can get better on the ice and influence the younger guys as well. As for my daily schedule, I would say that a lot of my free time is involved.” Danny laughs.
“I have been spending a lot of the time at the gym, with my hot water bottle trying to sort out an early season injury that just doesn’t seem to want go away. Other then that I take in a few movies here and there at the cinema, the odd pint with the boys and just try to keep myself prepared daily leading up to the weekend."
For a dedicated professional like Danny, losing is hard, and this has had a bit of an impact on how he has enjoyed his experience with Fife.
“I have enjoyed parts of my experience so far. This part of the world is a nice area, and we are close to so many things. The on-ice part has been a bit unpleasant in the sense that we have struggled from the start, but we knew it would be a month or two of growing pains until the team and organization caught up to speed with the demands of the Elite League.”
Despite a difficult start to his on-ice life in Fife, Danny has shared that the team spirit is still very much positive that’s despite having problems understanding the local accent.
“The guys seem to get along great so far. It took us imports a while to figure out the local accent, some longer then others. But we are all getting along. We try to help out with pointers as much as possible as we are all trying to improve our games everyday. The more knowledge everyone gets the better off we will be.”
“I think, being an older guy that’s been around this league a while, I bring a bit of experience and leadership to the locker room. We have a very young team and we are still working out the kinks and trying to limit our mistakes weekly.
“I think it’s important as a whole for us older guys to be accountable with our play, as it rubs off on the younger guys. We have made just as many mistakes as anybody, and whether it’s due to fatigue, forcing the play due to frustration, or just a mental lapse we can’t keep making the same mistakes.
“I personally have cost us a couple goals in the last couple weeks with uncharacteristic mistakes by turning the puck over and trying to create something out of nothing.
“We are a bit behind the rest of the teams now, so it’s even more important to simplify our game and limit mistakes, and that has to start with the experienced guys and filter down. I also bring a lot of banter which I love, although I do have the knack to cross the line sometimes, but hey, we’re all grown men and if you would rather been treated like a lady maybe hockey isn’t the right sport. We have a great bunch of guys and I think we will become a very tight knit group when it is all said and done.”
Last season, Scottish rivals Dundee Stars made the step up to the Elite Ice Hockey League finishing 8th and qualified for the end of season play-offs ultimately going down 8-5 over a 2 leg quarter final match with league champions, Sheffield Steelers. Another Scottish team making their EIHL debut last season, were the Braehead Clan, who surprised all finishing 5th and 9 points ahead of 4 time Elite League champions Coventry Blaze. So what does Danny think would constitute a successful season for Fife?
“I think with this being our first year in the league, we have to be realistic, but we are a competitive bunch and we will continue to battle and try to focus on the things that are within our control rather then things that are not.”
“We would obviously like to make the playoffs which I believe is very possible as we continue to grow. And after that we just need to focus on going out and competing every night and getting better every weekend.”
“Sure we will have our ups and downs this season but it’s how we react to them and move on that will be important.”
Fife Flyers are on the road this weekend with Flyers visiting Braehead Clan on Saturday (7pm face-off) and visit Edinburgh Capitals on Sunday (6pm face-off).
