You may recognize the title of this article as a line from actor Daniel von Bargen as Chief Grady in the smash 2001 comedy film Supertroopers. That’s him pictured on the left in a GIF where he delivers the line, and it seems like the most appropriate line for what’s happening in the EIHL with the Fife Flyers. They have been routinely one of the worst teams in the EIHL since 2019-2020, and they are on track to miss the playoffs for the third straight season. So it is incomprehensible why they went and did what they did today.In twenty games this season, Fife have just seven points on a 1-16-2-1 record, and they are six points behind last place in the play-offs. It’s very clear that they haven’t found the right players or enough talent to turn their fortunes around yet, so they’ve started looking elsewhere for help. There aren’t many players sitting at home right now wanting to join a last-place team, but they did find someone who would. And it ultimately cost them good people.
Rumors swirled for days that the Flyers were in negotiations with former NHLer Milan Lucic about potentially joining the team. Today they have removed any doubt that this would happen Lucic sign a contract for what appears to be the rest of the season. After failing to secure a roster spot in the AHL with the Springfield Thunderbirds, Lucic will now look to extend his career in the EIHL.
Lucic is hardly the player I expect to change Fife’s season in any meaningful way, but as the title says, desperation is a stinking odor. That stink has already cost the Flyers two front office people Chief Operating Officer Gareth Chalmers And Media Coordinator Craig Anderson both resigned from the club ahead of today’s signing. Although neither man said it in their statement, both resignations come after rumors began that Lucic would join the Flyers. That’s more than just a coincidence.
If that wasn’t bad enough for the Flyers, Scottish Women’s AidScotland’s leading charity working to prevent domestic violence criticized the Fife Flyers for “sending the wrong message” when it comes to having someone who was allegedly involved in domestic violence on their roster. Fans have blasted the Flyers on social media over Lucic’s signing, while others are urging the EIHL to prevent Lucic from playing in the United Kingdom. In short, this was a catastrophic signing for the Fife supporters.
Some may say, “What about second chances, Teebz?” and my answer to that is, “We’re not in Kansas anymore.” The UK has a very different view of domestic abuse and violence than North America, and it is telling that their 2020 bill “[r]Raising awareness and understanding of the devastating effects of domestic violence is more about protecting and helping victims than ensuring that the perpetrator’s rights are respected. As the bill’s summary reads: “There are approximately 2.3 million victims of domestic violence aged 16 to 74 (two-thirds of whom are women) and more than one in ten of all crimes recorded by police are related to domestic violence,” so something had to change in Britain.
With the laws changing and the public’s feelings towards domestic violence and abuse already outspoken against those who allegedly committed these crimes, Fife’s signing of Lucic is baffling to say the least. Once again, Lucic has done his best and it seems like he and his wife are in a better place, but the people from Kirkcaldy, Scotland who support the Flyers are already turning on the team with Lucic’s presence on the roster. Are wins really that important when you’re alienating a fan base?
What makes matters worse is that this is all happening while the Sheffield Steelers are dealing with a major problem of their own: releasing forward Cliff Pu after he “admitted two charges of assault by beating during a hearing at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on Monday” after attacking a woman twice between November 17 and December 11. Now that people are shocked and shocked by that revelation, the Flyers are going to sign a man who only plays hockey because his wife dropped the charges. Maybe read the room, Flyers management?
If Fife’s management feel Milan Lucic is a game-changer for them on the ice, then so be it. I’m not one to point out that he’s a 37-year-old former NHLer whose skating was already in question when he was in the prime of his career. However, I am one to point out that in light of what is happening in Sheffield, the public outcry from Flyers fans, and the front office firing, the Flyers would have been wise not to sign Lucic for very obvious reasons.
If desperate times call for desperate measures, the Flyers may have misunderstood the gist of that statement. Milan Lucic could perhaps help them get past Dundee or even catch Coventry in the standings, but big questions now need to be asked about the values of this organisation. And with fans and sponsors turning against them, this decision to bring Lucic to town by Fife’s new ownership and management could prove more expensive than they ever imagined.
Sacrificing integrity for a few wins in the standings will always result in a net loss, even if the team makes the EIHL playoffs, and Fife ownership and management may learn that lesson the hard way.
Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!
#integrity #worth