The Fife Flyers are pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen Thompson as the club’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective immediately, as part of a broader strategic move to strengthen the organisation’s off-ice structure and long-term vision.

Stephen Thompson brings extensive experience in sports management, operations, and commercial development, with a strong track record of helping professional sports organisations build effective internal systems, improve operational performance, and drive sustainable commercial growth. In his role as COO, Thompson will oversee all off-ice operations, including commercial strategy, partnerships, game-night production, fan experience, merchandise, ticketing, and community engagement.

“From the moment I began speaking with the organisation, it was clear how special this team is to its community,” said Thompson. “I’m delighted to be joining a franchise with such a rich history and eager to help honour its past while shaping its future.”

As part of this transition, Max Birbraer has made the difficult decision to step down from his day-to-day operational role of President & GM. Over the past two months, due to ongoing health/personal reasons it’s become increasingly difficult for Max to be physically present in Fife as much as he would like and as much as he believes the club deserves, and so these changes are being made at Max’s request to ensure the club continues to operate at the highest level off the ice whilst ensuring we maintain clarity and consistency in leadership going forward.

“Max was a part of the new management team which made the new Fife Flyers chapter possible and got us to where we are today” stated the ownership.  Everyone at the club, including Max, recognises that further changes are needed in order to strengthen the Flyers operationally. Max will always remain as  part of the Flyers family and will continue to support the organisation during the transition where possible and appropriate.”

From a hockey operations standpoint, Jamie Russell will take on full-time General Manager responsibilities in addition to his role as Head Coach. Jamie will oversee all hockey-related operations, including roster construction, recruitment, and player personnel decisions.

The club is already actively in the process of securing next season’s roster, with planning well underway to ensure continuity, competitiveness, and long-term stability on the ice.

“Jamie’s leadership, experience, and deep understanding of the club make him the natural choice to lead hockey operations moving forward,” ownership added. “This structure provides clarity, continuity, and a strong foundation as we plan for the future.”

In addition to these appointments, the Flyers are delighted to welcome Rebecca Thomson as Head of Social Media & Marketing.

Rebecca joins the Flyers with elite-level international experience in digital marketing and content strategy, having most recently worked with NHL International. Her background includes large-scale content production and ideation across major accounts, and delivering fan-focused digital campaigns across global audiences.

Bringing someone of Rebecca’s calibre into the organisation represents a significant step forward for the Flyers’ marketing and digital presence, reinforcing the club’s commitment to modernising how it connects with supporters, partners, and the wider hockey community.

“These leadership additions reflect a clear commitment to strengthening the Flyers both on and off the ice,” the club added. “With experienced professionals in place across operations, hockey management, and marketing, we are focused on building a stable, professional, and sustainable future for the organisation.”

Further updates on club operations, roster developments, and fan-focused initiatives will be shared in the coming weeks.