New coach, new captain question, and a rebuilt roster after losing their top three
DT Rating
★★★
Predicted Finish
9th
Head Coach
Scott Dutertre
Captain
Arena
Dundee Ice Arena
2025/26 Finish
9th
Power Play
21.49%
Penalty Kill
69.48%
Our editorial assessment of each team's fantasy potential heading into the new EIHL season.
Dundee head into the 2026/27 Elite League season under new leadership, with Scott Dutertre taking over behind the bench for his first campaign in charge. The Stars have undergone one of the biggest overhauls in the league this summer, with several key departures giving Dutertre the opportunity to put his own stamp on the roster.
The biggest losses come in the departures of leading scorer Spencer Naas, captain Drydn Dow and netminder Jarrett Fiske. The turnover goes well beyond that trio, though: Kameron Kielly, Morten Jürgens, Keanu Yamamoto, Otto Nieminen and Craig Garrigan have all departed up front, while Jackson Desouza and Justin Bean also move on from the blue line. Replacing that much production will be no easy task, meaning Dundee's new arrivals will be expected to make an immediate impact if the Stars are to remain competitive.
Despite the changes, Dundee have retained an experienced British core. Craig Moore, Kris Inglis and Jonathan McBean all return to providing continuity and leadership for a squad that will feature plenty of new faces.
Up front, there's a huge balance of youth and experience. Gary Haden and Keaton Jameson both make the inter-league move to Dundee, joining from Manchester and Fife respectively. Sebastian Bengtsson returns to Tayside after a few years away with an impressive scoring pedigree from Europe. Josh Nelson, Travis Ewanyk, Brodi Stuart and Rasmus Nousiainen all add fresh options to the forward group. Young Finnish forward Maxim Eliseev also joins the club, after a high scoring in the Alps league.
The defence has also received a fresh look. Sean Strange and Evan Brand headline the blue-line additions, while Zack Hoffman and Duggie Lagrone also return to the EIHL. Powell Connor also joins the blue line after his move from Kalamazoo Wings, adding further depth to a largely rebuilt defensive corps. Carl Stankowski and Kazakh international Vladislav Pestov form Dundee' new goaltending partnership heading into the season.
With so many new arrivals, it may take time for the Stars to find consistency, but there is plenty of intrigue surrounding this group. If Dutertre can quickly establish his system and the imports settle into the Elite League, Dundee have every chance of competing for a playoff place.
Forward • EC Bad Nauheim (DEL2)
The experienced Swedish winger arrives after several productive seasons in Germany and Sweden. Bengtsson is expected to replace some of the offensive production lost over the summer and should feature prominently in Dundee's top six.
Defence • GKS Katowice
A reliable two-way defenceman with experience across North America and Europe. Hoffman is expected to play significant minutes in all situations and could quickly become the cornerstone of Dundee's rebuilt blue line.
Forward • RB Hockey Juniors
One of Dundee's most intriguing additions. Eliseev brings a wealth of experience from the KHL, Belarus and Kazakhstan, adding leadership and proven professionalism to a largely new-look forward group.
Forward • Tulsa Oilers (ECHL)
Nelson arrives from the ECHL after establishing himself as a dependable two-way forward. His work rate and versatility should make him an important contributor throughout the lineup.
Netminder • University of Calgary
Replacing Jarrett Fiske is no small task, but Stankowski arrives with a strong collegiate reputation and will be looking to establish himself as Dundee's first-choice netminder.
Forward • College of the Holy Cross
The American rookie joins after an impressive NCAA career. If he adapts quickly to the professional game, DeBoer has the potential to become one of Dundee's most exciting new forwards.
Defence • Kalamazoo Wings (ECHL)
Adds further depth to Dundee's rebuilt blue line, arriving from Kalamazoo Wings.
Defence • Rapid City Rush (ECHL)
Headlines the blue-line additions, arriving from the ECHL to add further depth and experience.
Defence • Toronto Metro Univ. (Canada)
Joins after his time in Canadian university hockey, adding further depth to a largely rebuilt blue line.
Defence • Tulsa Oilers (ECHL)
Returns to the Elite League after ECHL experience, adding further depth on the blue line.
Netminder • Torpedo Ust-Kamenogorsk (Kazakhstan)
The Kazakh international forms a new goaltending partnership with Carl Stankowski.
Forward • Meran/Merano (Italy)
Adds a fresh option to the forward group, arriving from Italy's Alps Hockey League.
Forward • DVTK Jegesmedvék (Hungary)
A young forward still early in his professional career, adding further depth up front.
Forward • Manchester Storm
Makes the inter-league move to Dundee after his time with Manchester.
Forward • Fife Flyers
Joins from Fife as part of the wider forward-group turnover.
Forward • Univ. of Alberta (Canada)
Joins after his time in Canadian university hockey, adding further forward depth.
Forward • EHC Freiburg (Germany)
Adds further forward depth, arriving from Germany's third tier.
Forward • Fife Flyers
Joins fellow new arrival Keaton Jameson in making the move from Fife.
Forward • Nottingham Panthers
Naas was Dundee's leading offensive threat last season and his departure leaves a sizeable hole in the Stars' top six. Replacing his goals and creativity will be one of the club's biggest challenges.
Defence • Manchester Storm
Dow departs after captaining the Stars and becoming one of the club's most influential players. His leadership, experience and all-round contribution will be difficult to replace.
Netminder • Sterzing Broncos
Fiske established himself as one of the Elite League's busiest and most reliable goaltenders. Dundee now enter the season with an entirely new goaltending partnership.
Forward • IceFighters Leipzig
Kielly's energy and versatility made him a valuable part of Dundee's forward group. His departure removes another experienced option from a team that has undergone significant change this summer.
Defence • Indy Fuel (ECHL)
The most recent departure, returning to North America ahead of the new season.
Defence • South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL)
Another departure from a heavily rebuilt blue line.
Forward • HC Tigers (Germany)
Moves on to Germany after his time with the Stars.
Forward • Briançon (France)
Departs for France as the forward group turns over.
Forward • Unia Oswiecim (Poland)
Moves on to Poland after last season with the Stars.
Forward • Dundee Rockets
Drops down to local senior hockey after his time with the Stars.
With a new head coach and nearly twenty new arrivals, Dundee are one of the Elite League's hardest teams to predict heading into the new season. Scott Dutertre has plenty of flexibility throughout the lineup and combinations are likely to evolve during pre-season, but this is how the Stars could line up on opening weekend.
First Line: Sebastian Bengtsson, Travis Ewanyk and Maxim Eliseev
Second Line: Josh Nelson, Matt DeBoer and Brodi Stuart
Third Line: Gary Haden, Keaton Jameson and Tyson Laventure
Fourth Line: Ben Brown, Jonathan McBean and Rasmus Nousiainen
First Pairing: Evan Brand and Zack Hoffman
Second Pairing: Sean Strange and Duggie Lagrone
Third Pairing: Kris Inglis and Craig Moore
Also in the mix: Powell Connor
Netminders: Carl Stankowski, Vladislav Pestov and Dominick Jaglar
DT Star
The Swedish winger arrives with a proven scoring record in Europe and is expected to become Dundee's primary offensive threat. If he adapts quickly to the Elite League, he could be one of the Stars' standout fantasy performers.
Sleeper Pick
After an impressive NCAA career, DeBoer arrives as one of Dundee's most intriguing newcomers. He may fly under the radar on draft day but has the potential to become an excellent value pick if he earns consistent top-six minutes.
Breakout Candidate
Still only in the early stages of his professional career, Stuart has already shown encouraging signs in Europe. A full season in Dundee could see him establish himself as one of the league's most exciting young forwards.
Top Defenceman
Expected to lead Dundee's blue line, Hoffman should play in every key situation. His ability to contribute offensively while logging heavy minutes makes him the Stars' standout fantasy defenceman.
Starting Netminder
Replacing Jarrett Fiske is no easy task, but Stankowski has the opportunity to establish himself as Dundee's undisputed number one. If the Stars remain competitive, he could become a reliable fantasy option.
DT Verdict
Dundee may not possess the proven fantasy stars of some of the Elite League's leading contenders, but there is still value to be found throughout the roster. Sebastian Bengtsson looks the safest attacking option, while Zack Hoffman and Carl Stankowski should see plenty of ice time. Several of the club's new imports also have the potential to outperform expectations, making the Stars an interesting team for fantasy managers looking for differentials.
Season Prediction
Best Case
Challenge for a playoff finish and hopefully a playoff place.
Worst Case
Finish towards the foot of the table if the new-look roster takes time to settle.
Confidence
Medium
Dundee enter the season with a new head coach, a rebuilt roster and plenty of unanswered questions. There is enough quality within the squad to compete on most nights, but the Stars' success is likely to depend on how quickly the new arrivals adapt to the Elite League and develop chemistry under Scott Dutertre.
Bold Prediction
Losing that much production in one summer usually means a long season, but nearly twenty new arrivals also means nobody has any real idea what this team looks like yet, least of all the teams above them in the table. A new coach with a completely blank canvas is either a disaster or the best-case scenario in disguise — bet on Dutertre finding the right combinations faster than expected.
22 players named for 2026/27 — 18 new since last season.
Vladislav Pestov
from Torpedo Ust-Kamenogorsk (Kazakhstan)
Carl Stankowski
from Univ. of Calgary (USports)
Dominick Jaglar
Zack Hoffman
from GKS Katowice (Polska Hokej Liga)
Sean Strange
from Rapid City Rush (ECHL)
Duggie Lagrone
from Tulsa Oilers (ECHL)
Kris Inglis
Evan Brand
from Toronto Metro Univ. (USports)
Craig Moore
Powell Connor
from Kalamazoo Wings (ECHL)
Matt DeBoer
from Holy Cross (NCAA)
Jonathan McBean
Brodi Stuart
from DVTK Jegesmedvék (Erste Liga)
Keaton Jameson
from Fife Flyers (EIHL)
Sebastian Bengtsson
from EC Bad Nauheim (DEL2)
Travis Ewanyk
from EHC Freiburg (DEL2)
Gary Haden
from Manchester Storm (EIHL)
Josh Nelson
from Tulsa Oilers (ECHL)
Rasmus Nousiainen
from Meran/Merano (AlpsHL)
Maxim Eliseev
from RB Hockey Juniors (AlpsHL)
Tyson Laventure
from Univ. of Alberta (USports)
Ben Brown
from Fife Flyers (EIHL)
Editors Note
This preview reflects confirmed signings and departures as of early September 2026, cross-checked against EliteProspects' transaction log. With several new arrivals and a new coaching staff, projected line combinations are likely to evolve throughout pre-season as Scott Dutertre settles on his preferred lineup.
