In a big week for the Kirkcaldy club it confirmed Steven Lynch as the new assistant coach, filling the void left by Martin Grubb who left to take the reins at Solway Sharks.

Flyers have also confirmed what leagues they are set to play in, with a new six-team Celtic League involving two teams based in Dundalk set to give fans the chance to follow their club to Ireland.

A trimmed five-team Northern League will also be up for grabs, while the season is set to start on September 5 with the Autumn Cup.

Player-coach Todd Dutiaume revealed that the set-up for the coming season has him filled with optimism over the challenges ahead.

"The league is going to be a lot more competitive," he said. "I don't think we'll get those games where guys can take a week off and still get a point or two.

"Players are going to have to play week in, week out or they'll be sussed out by the coaches and the fans who come to watch. We're looking forward to the challenge."

In addition to the league changes, teams in the Celtic League will be permitted to ice two imports and Dutiaume is closing in on potential targets.

"Fife is ready to see a couple more imports grace the ice again," he said.

In addition to Lynch's appointment as assistant coach, Flyers have also announced the return of defenceman Willie Nicolson from Dundee Stars.

Also confirmed as signing in the past week are forwards Iain Beattie and Andy Samuel.

Lynch is looking forward to his new bench role at Fife, revealing that coaching runs in his blood.

"I coached in Edinburgh for a couple of years and grew up in a house where my father was a coach for a number of years," he said.

"I had the idea in my head from my late teens that it was something I wanted to get involved in.

"Over the last 15 years I've been studying coaches I've worked under, looked at their good points and weak points, and taken them on board.

"I've been preparing myself for coaching for the majority of my playing career so I'm happy to be given this opportunity."

Lynch is equally enthusiastic about the coming season. "Every team in the league is definitely going to be stronger," he said.

"Solway will be more competitive with 'Spud' there and Paisley have a couple of imports now, as well as players who've played Elite League hockey.

"The Irish teams are an unknown quantity but from what I believe there's one very strong team and another we don't know much about. The quality is going to be stepping up a notch."

Dutiaume is confident he has appointed the right assistant.

"Things can go stale after a while so perhaps this little shake-up can given the guys fresh motivation," he said.

"We'll get new ideas and direction from Steven and he's the kind of guy who's not afraid to tell me what's on his mind, and what direction he wants to go in.

"That's a good thing. Every coach needs a sounding board."