Founded by the Ward family in 2001, the Stars took the British National League (BNL) by storm. The team won both the regular league and playoffs in their first season, and placed second in their second season. The following two seasons were comparatively disappointing, but the team still proceeded to win the 2004/05 playoffs. Following the dissolution of the BNL in 2005, the Stars shifted to the Scottish National League – finishing second in their first season.

In April 2010, the team joined the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL), and reached the playoff quarter-finals in the 2010/11 season. The 2013/14 season saw the team place 3rd in the regular season, and make it to the quarter-finals of both the playoffs and the Challenge Cup. Also in the 2013/14 season, the team won the Gardiner Conference. The team have made the playoff semi-finals twice since joining the EIHL – first in the 2016/17 season and again in the 2021/22 season.

The LeFebvre Era

Recent Stars history has been marked by discussions of previous head coach and Director of Hockey Operations, Marc LeFebvre. LeFebvre served as head coach from 2015-2017, before spending six seasons across the ECHL and Europe. He was re-signed as head coach and Director of Hockey Operations ahead of the 2023/24 season.

After finishing last in the 2022/23 season, the 2023/24 season saw the team improve their ranking, finishing 7th in the league and making the playoff quarter-finals. This upward trajectory did not continue, as the team finished 8th in the 2024/25 season.

The 2025/26 season proved no different. The team were unable to secure a place in the playoffs, having finished 9th in the league. Fans were quick to question coaching decisions– describing the lines as a ‘pick and mix strategy’. Many called the games a ‘tough watch’, summing up the season as ‘dismal’, ‘dreadful’, and ‘disastrous’. Post-game interviews showed a dejected LeFebvre footing the blame for the team’s performance. Even on the rare occasions that the team did win, LeFebvre still seemed unhappy with the way the men played.

But why did the team perform so poorly? On the ice, it appeared as though the team were playing together for the first time –even towards the end of their season. Six players in the same jerseys, each playing a solo game. That’s not to say there weren’t moments of unity. They were just few and far between. LeFebvre himself attributed the performance to poor recruitment in the off-season. This call was echoed by supporters online. The 2025/26 team deserve credit where it’s due; it takes a lot of grit to show up day in and day out when your coach has publicly said he made poor choices. Fans questioned why the Director of Hockey Operations made the decisions he did. Ultimately, they decided (with no proof) that it must have been due to budget restrictions, laying part of the blame on ownership.

A Fresh Start…

In February 2026, it was announced that the Dundee Stars had been sold to Michael O’Rourke and partners. The sale was finalised following the end of the 2025/26 season. While details are limited, it is confirmed that the Ward family will remain involved in the running of the team. It has been stated that the new ownership intend to increase investment in the team - perhaps giving it the capital injection it needs to grow. April saw the announcement of the departure of Marc LeFebvre, giving the team a fresh start going into the 2026/27 season.

In early May, the team announced the appointment of Scott Dutertre as head coach. Dutertre joins from the ECHL, having previously served as the Associate Coach for the Tulsa Oilers. Dutertre’s vision is clear, he wants a team that will reflect the ‘working-class grit’ of the community. His leadership style is equally clear – winning games is a collaborative process that needs everyone on board with a plan. On the ice, possession is the name of the game. If that means picking a fight to regain possession, so be it. Physicality is key to Dutertre’s system. He has suggested that the team doesn’t necessarily need to be violent, but opposing teams should know that the players can hold their own. There’s an element of underdog energy with the team. It is clear Dutertre intends to use that to his advantage, ensuring that the team plays a hard game every night.

The 2026/27 Dundee Stars

With less than two months until the season opens, it’s safe to say that signings are well underway in Dundee. Frankly, the team is largely unremarkable on paper. Like all teams, the experience level is highly mixed. There is a core group of veterans with a handful of players making professional debuts. By all accounts, this team is nothing special – and yet with every new signing, the hope only grows. Game footage shows these players share the hard-working, blue-collar energy that the coach is seeking. Dutertre knows what he’s looking for, and these players have it. So who are the new Dundee Stars?

The Forwards:

Josh Nelson

The first signing of the 2026/27 season joins from the Tulsa Oilers (ECHL). In three seasons with the team, the American played 142 games and has recorded 27 goals, 38 assists, 34 PIMs, and a +/- of -11.

Jonathan McBean

The Dundee local is returning for his fifth season with the Stars. In 221 games with the team, the 23 year-old has accumulated 43 points, 30 PIMs and a +/- of -67. McBean has made multiple appearances for Great Britain, most recently helping the team claim silver at the Ultimate Hockey 3x3 Tournament.

Ben Brown

Another Dundee-born player, Brown (who plays both forward and defence) is returning to Dundee. He has spent the past three seasons across the NIHL, SNL and EIHL. Last season with the Fife Flyers (EIHL), he recorded 3 points, 6 PIMs and a +/- of -22 in 54 games.

Travis Ewanyk

The Canadian forward is a veteran of the game - having played in various leagues across Europe and North America. Last season with EHC Freiburg (DEL2), he played 51 games and put up 24 points, 24 PIMs and a +/- of -2.

Keaton Jameson

Completing the Scottish trifecta, the Canadian forward joins the Stars. In the 2024/25 season, he played with the Glasgow Clan (EIHL). Last season with the Fife Flyers (EIHL), he played 51 games and recorded 14 goals, 16 assists, 62 PIMs and a +/- of -24.

Tyson Laventure

After 2 seasons with the University of Alberta (USports), Laventure is making his pro debut with the Stars. Last season, he made 25 appearances and recorded 23 points, 28 PIMs and a +/- of 4.

Gary Haden

A veteran of the EIHL, Haden has made over 200 appearances in the league. Making 55 appearances for Manchester Storm (EIHL) last season, he recorded 13 goals, 30 assists, 40 PIMs and a +/- of 5. The Canadian helped the Storm reach their first ever playoff finals.

Matt DeBoer

Following 4 seasons in NCAA hockey with the College of the Holy Cross, DeBoer is turning pro with the Stars. In 150 games with the team, he accumulated 80 points, 155 PIMs and a +/- of -5.

Brodi Stuart

After spending 4 seasons in Austria (AlpsHL and ICEHL), Stuart started the 2025/26 season with the Tulsa Oilers. He finished the season with DVTK Jegesmedvek (Erste Liga). He made 20 appearances for DVTK Jegesmedvek, tallying 8 points, 7 PIMs and a +/- of 2.

Sebastian Bengtsson

Revered by fans for helping bring the team to the 2021/22 playoff semi-finals, Bengtsson returns for a second season as a Star. Last season with EC Bad Neuheim (DEL2), he played 41 games and recorded 16 goals, 19 assists, 6 PIMs and a +/- of -6.

Rasmus Nousiainen

Finnish-born Nousiainen made his professional debut with Merano (AlpsHL) last season. In 54 appearances with the team, he accumulated 21 goals, 20 assists, 47 PIMs and a +/- of 0. He recorded 19 points in 17 games during the 2025/26 AlpsHL playoffs.

Maxim Eliseev

The 20 year-old made his professional debut last season with RB Hockey Juniors (AlpsHL). Eliseev made 50 appearances for the team and recorded 71 points, 28 PIMs and a +/- of 24. The performance led him to finish second in the league for goals scored, and tied second for overall points scored.

The Defencemen:

Craig Moore

The Fife local, like Brown, is capable of playing both forward and defence. This marks Moore’s eighth season with the Stars. In 51 games last season, he accumulated 7 points, 27 PIMs and a +/- of -30.

Evan Brand

Making his professional debut in Dundee, Brand joins following four seasons with Toronto Metropolitan University (USports). Standing at 6’7”, he can definitely hold his own. Throughout his USports career, the Toronto native played 125 games - putting up 1 goal, 21 assists and 138 PIMs.

Zack Hoffman

A veteran of the ECHL, Hoffman finished the 2024/25 season with the Guildford Flames (EIHL) before joining GKS Katowice (Polska Hokej Liga) for the 2025/26 season. In Poland, he made 55 appearances and recorded 3 goals, 12 assists and 128 PIMs.

Kris Inglis

Returning for his tenth season with the team, Inglis is undoubtedly a veteran. Having made 440 appearances for the team, the Dundonian has racked up 51 points, 280 PIMs and a +/- of -87. He recently helped Great Britain bring home a silver medal from the Ultimate Hockey 3x3 Tournament.

Sean Strange

After making his pro debut in the ECHL last season, Strange is crossing the Atlantic to become a Star. He played for the University of Calgary (USports) for 5 seasons - making 142 appearances, recording 102 points, 40 PIMs and a +/- of 11.

Duggie Lagrone

Having spent the last 3 seasons playing for the Tulsa Oilers, Lagrone is joining Dutertre, Nelson and Stuart in Dundee. In 213 games with the team, he amassed 86 points, 98 PIMs and a +/- of 35.

The Goaltenders:

Vladislav Pestov

Kazakh goaltender Pestov joins the EIHL off the back of several successful seasons with Torpedo Ust-Kamenogorsk. In 79 appearances with the team, the 23 year-old boasted a save percentage of .906.

Carl Stankowski

The 26 year-old joins the Stars following 5 seasons with the University of Calgary (USports). With the University, he played 53 games and maintained a save percentage of .907.

Dominick Jaglar

The homegrown netminder has re-signed for a third season with the Stars. Last season the 19 year-old made 2 appearances, averaging a .833 save percentage.

The pre-season is nearing, with the Stars set to face both Scottish rivals and several European teams. On paper, this team is the blue-collar, hungry group Dutertre hoped for. It’s clear that the players back their coach and are excited by his plan… But can they play with the finesse required to make the underdog story come true? With players like Gary Haden, Travis Ewanyk and Kris Inglis leading the fray, this author is cautiously optimistic that this season will be a successful one. If nothing else, it promises to be good old, entertaining hockey.