Simon Despres could face a baptism of fire for Fife Flyers if the the former National Hockey League (NHL) defenceman Simon Després is listed for the trip to Sheffield Steelers on Saturday and the home clash with Cardiff Devils on Sunday.
The 34-year-old player, who has previously iced for Nottingham Panthers and Glasgow Clan, arrives at a club who have failed to win in 14 games.
The newcomer has a strong CV and is up for the challenge to turn rock-bottom Fife’s fortunes around starting this weekend if the Fife coaching staff feel he is fit enough to play.
Despres was a former Round One, 30th overall, round draft pick with Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009 before making 222 appearances in the NHL with Penguins and Anaheim Ducks.
The 6ft 4in, Canadian-born player registered 50 points from seven goals and 43 assists in the world’s top league and Fife bosses describe Despres as “a highly-experienced player”.
Quebec-born Despres has also iced in the American Hockey League (AHL) for San Diego Gulls and Laval Rockets as well as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, as he is well travelled with experience in numerous top leagues.
Spells with HC Slovan Bratislava in the Kontinental Hockey League, which includes teams from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and China, plus playing for IK Oskarshamn in the Swedish Hockey League form part of his profile.
So do games with Villacher SV in the ICEHL, which includes teams in central Europe, and a back-to-back championship winning stint with Eisbarën Berlin in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga in Germany.
Despres’ first taste of the Elite League came in the Lace City where he played 44 games for Panthers in season 2023-24, scoring two goals and assisting in ten other strikes.
He then moved to Braehead for the 2024-25 season and he made 52 appearances for Clan, scoring six goals and assisting on 23 other occasions.
Despres arrives in the Kingdom after playing nine games with Saint-Hyacinthe Batallion in the Ligue Nord-Americaine de Hockey, a semi-professional league in Quebec.
The ambitious player stressed he had signed to help win games and lift the Kirkcaldy combine off the bottom of the ten-strong Elite League and, eventually, make the play-offs.
Currently, Fife have one point from ten games. To make the play-offs the Fife side have to at least make the top eight in the division and Guildford Flames occupy that position meantime with eight points from nine starts.
Despres declared: “I’m a very competitive guy and I’m embracing the challenge presented in front of me of turning this boat around and bringing it to the final four weekend in Nottingham.”
Jamie Russell, Fife’s head coach, said: “Simon will step in and give us a veteran presence and will add experience to our back end.
“He knows the league and should have a seamless transition.”
Max Birbraer, Flyers’ president and general manager, who on Monday promised reinforcements in a plea with fans to stick with the club, said: “As we look to strengthen all areas of the line up, we are pleased to secure Simon’s services.
“He brings experience and much-needed play-making ability to our line up as we look toward to get back on track.”
EYES DOWN: Ethan Somoza challenges for the puck v Sheffield in the recent clash at Kirkcaldy. Picture courtesy of the Elite League and taken by Jillian McFarlane
