The Fife Flyers’ first signing of the offseason is a reassertion of the club’s ethos.
Announced on Monday [13 April], Garet Hunt will return for a second season in blue, taking on additional responsibilities as a player and assistant coach.
The 38-year-old captained the Flyers in 2025-26, recording 18 points (three goals, 15 assists) and 174 penalty minutes in 55 appearances.
Hunt was suspended for nine games and fined three times by the Elite League Department of Player Safety, headlined by a six-game ban for a “sucker punch” on 4 January.
But those facts only tell part of the story.
The Canadian is a fan-favourite in Fife, credited for playing a crucial role in holding the room together as the Flyers ran into trouble under new ownership.
Hunt plays on the edge, and often crosses the line, but his style of hockey resonates with supporters at the Fife Ice Arena.
Aggressive. Uncompromising. Dogged.
Hunt plays bigger than his 5-foot-9 frame and is regarded as a true leader on and off the ice, a key attribute given his changing role next term.
Who is Fife Flyers forward and assistant coach Garet Hunt?
Garet Hunt, Fife Flyers (Image: Derek Young)
Hunt started his professional career in 2008, signing with the ECHL’s Stockton Thunder.
He spent the next seven seasons in Stockton, including four as captain, before completing his 13-year third-tier career with the Alaska Aces, Jacksonville IceMen, Wheeling Nailers, and South Carolina Stingrays.
Hunt made 776 ECHL appearances, recording 261 points (106 goals, 155 assists) and 2,807 penalty minutes.
He took his talents overseas for the first time in 2019, signing for the Kunlun Red Star. Across two spells with the KHL side, he notched three points in 68 games.
Before signing with the Flyers, he scored 43 points (14 goals, 29 assists) in 54 Erste Liga appearances for CSM Corona Brasov and DVTK Jegesmedvek.
What does Garet Hunt’s re-signing say about the Fife Flyers’ plans?
Retaining Hunt is a statement of intent from Fife.
Firstly, it signals that the Flyers will continue to place a premium on grit and physicality when building their roster.
Hunt’s appointment as assistant coach also suggests that a new bench boss is coming down the track.
The Flyers have been without a permanent head coach since Jamie Russell walked in February, but that vacancy will soon be filled.
“I can’t thank the entire community of Fife and the Flyers organisation enough for all the support, it’s made my experience in the Kingdom this past season amazing,” Hunt said upon inking his extension.
“There’s so much potential here in this organisation that made it an easy decision on wanting to come back. I’m excited for the opportunity to return and look forward to seeing everyone next season.”