2026/27 Season Preview

Dundee Stars

DT Rating

Predicted Finish

Quick Facts

Head Coach

Scott Dutertre

Captain

Arena

Dundee Ice Arena

2025/26 Finish

9th

Power Play

21.49%

Penalty Kill

69.48%

DT Ratings

Our editorial assessment of each team's fantasy potential heading into the new EIHL season.

Attack
3.5
Defence
3.0
Goaltending
3.0
Depth
3.0
DT Value
3.0

Club Overview

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. Replacing that trio 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. While 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, Evan Brand headline the blue-line additions alongside Zack Hoffman and Duggie Lagrone return to the EIHL. While Carl Stankowski and Kazakh international Vladislav Pestov form Dundee's 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 LeFebvre can quickly establish his system and the imports settle into the Elite League, Dundee have every chance of competing for a playoff place.

Summer Arrivals

Sebastian Bengtsson

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.

Zack Hoffman

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.

Maxim Eliseev

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.

Josh Nelson

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.

Carl Stankowski

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.

Matt DeBoer

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.

Summer Departures

Spencer Naas

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.

Drydn Dow

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.

Jarrett Fiske

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.

Kameron Kielly

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.

Projected Line-up

With a new head coach and over a dozen 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 & Maxim Eliseev

Second Line: Josh Nelson, Matt DeBoer & Brodi Stuart

Third Line: Gary Haden, Keaton Jameson & Tyson Laventure

Fourth Line: Ben Brown, Jonathan McBean & Rasmus Nousiainen

First Pairing: Evan Brand & Zack Hoffman

Second Pairing: Sean Strange & Duggie Lagrone

Third Pairing: Kris Inglis & Craig Moore

Netminders: Carl Stankowski, Vladislav Pestov

Players To Watch

DT Star

Sebastian Bengtsson

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

Matt DeBoer

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

Brodi Stuart

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

Zack Hoffman

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

Carl Stankowski

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.

Fantasy Outlook

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

Season Prediction

9th

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.

Editors Note

This preview reflects confirmed signings and departures at the time of publication. 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.